You want clear numbers from the Dolphins-Raiders game, but every box score you find looks like a jumbled mess of abbreviations and broken tables. Scrolling through scattered stat pages wastes your time and leaves you more confused than before. This guide pulls every key miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats line into one clean, easy-to-read breakdown so you get the full picture in minutes.
A Quick Look at the Rivalry
The Dolphins and Raiders share a rivalry that stretches back to the early days of the AFL. These two franchises first met in 1966 and have clashed more than 25 times since. Miami holds a slight edge in the all-time regular-season series, but the Raiders have pulled off plenty of memorable upsets along the way.
Postseason history adds extra spice. The two teams met in the 1974 AFC Divisional Round, a game the Raiders won 28-26 in one of the most controversial finishes in NFL history. That “Sea of Hands” game still fuels debate among fans of both sides.
When you study miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats across decades, a clear pattern emerges. Miami typically dominates through the air with explosive speed at receiver. The Raiders counter with physical rushing attacks and aggressive defensive fronts. This clash of styles makes every meeting unpredictable.
The rivalry cooled off in recent years because the teams land in different divisions. They only meet every few years under the NFL’s rotating schedule. That scarcity makes each matchup feel like a bigger event for both fan bases.
The Most Recent Matchup: Raiders Stun Dolphins 20-14 on Christmas Eve
The most recent meeting took place on December 24, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Raiders entered as heavy underdogs against a Dolphins team chasing an AFC East title. Nobody expected the home team to control the clock and grind out a six-point victory.
Las Vegas leaned on Josh Jacobs and a punishing ground game from the opening drive. Miami struggled to find rhythm on the turf and turned the ball over at critical moments. The final score read Raiders 20, Dolphins 14, and the result shook up the AFC playoff picture heading into Week 17.
Fans searching for miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats from this game often focus on one shocking detail. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 236 yards but managed only one touchdown against a Raiders secondary that ranked near the bottom of the league. The numbers tell a story of missed opportunities and red-zone failures for Miami.
The atmosphere inside Allegiant Stadium played a real role. Raiders fans created a deafening environment that disrupted Miami’s pre-snap communication all afternoon. You can feel the impact of that crowd noise in the delay-of-game penalties and false starts that dotted the Dolphins’ stat sheet.
Team Totals and Efficiency Comparison
Raw totals only tell half the story. Efficiency metrics reveal which team actually moved the ball with purpose and which one padded numbers in garbage time. The table below breaks down the core miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats at the team level.
| Category | Miami Dolphins | Las Vegas Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 319 | 287 |
| Passing Yards | 236 | 161 |
| Rushing Yards | 83 | 126 |
| First Downs | 18 | 17 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 4/12 (33%) | 6/14 (43%) |
| Red-Zone Touchdowns | 1/3 (33%) | 2/3 (67%) |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 27:14 | 32:46 |
| Penalties | 7 for 55 yards | 4 for 30 yards |
Miami outgained Las Vegas by 32 yards, yet lost the game. The reason sits right in the turnover column. The Raiders committed zero giveaways while Miami handed the ball over twice. That difference alone accounts for the final margin.
Time of possession also swung heavily toward Las Vegas. The Raiders held the ball for over 32 minutes and kept Miami’s high-powered offense standing on the sideline. You can explore more team-level data on Pro Football Reference to compare these efficiency splits against league averages.
Complete Quarterback Matchup and Passing Stats
The quarterback battle shaped every drive in this game. Tua Tagovailoa came in as the clear favorite on paper, but Aidan O’Connell played a cleaner, more efficient game under center for Las Vegas.
| Stat | Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) | Aidan O’Connell (LV) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 22/32 | 17/27 |
| Completion % | 68.8% | 63.0% |
| Passing Yards | 236 | 161 |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks Taken | 3 | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 82.3 | 87.1 |
| Longest Completion | 34 yards | 26 yards |
| Yards Per Attempt | 7.4 | 6.0 |
Tua posted better volume numbers, but O’Connell protected the football and converted crucial third downs. The miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats at quarterback show a classic case where the cleaner performance beat the flashier one.
Tua’s interception came in the third quarter on a throw over the middle that Raiders safety Marcus Epps read perfectly. That turnover killed a promising drive inside Las Vegas territory and shifted momentum for the rest of the game.
O’Connell, meanwhile, managed the game like a veteran despite being a rookie. He checked down when coverage took away deep routes and scrambled for key first downs when the pocket collapsed. His 87.1 passer rating reflects smart, mistake-free football.
Rushing Leaders and Ground Game Performance
The ground game decided this contest. Las Vegas built its entire game plan around controlling the line of scrimmage, and the numbers back up that strategy completely.
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Jacobs | LV | 26 | 111 | 4.3 | 1 | 18 |
| Raheem Mostert | MIA | 10 | 26 | 2.6 | 0 | 9 |
| De’Von Achane | MIA | 8 | 42 | 5.3 | 0 | 15 |
| Zamir White | LV | 6 | 15 | 2.5 | 0 | 7 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | MIA | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 0 | 10 |
Jacobs carried the load for Las Vegas with 26 rushes and 111 yards. He wore down Miami’s front seven by the fourth quarter and converted two critical third-and-short situations that kept scoring drives alive. His one-yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter gave the Raiders a lead they never surrendered.
Miami’s rushing attack stalled from the opening whistle. Mostert averaged just 2.6 yards per carry and never found a seam against the Raiders’ stacked box. Achane provided a brief spark with a 15-yard burst in the third quarter, but Las Vegas adjusted quickly and shut down the edge.
When you dig into the miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats on the ground, the 43-yard gap in team rushing totals jumps off the page. That gap directly correlates with the time-of-possession advantage and the Dolphins’ inability to sustain drives in the second half.
Receiving Production and Target Breakdown
Miami entered this game with one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the NFL. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for over 2,500 receiving yards during the 2023 season. The Raiders knew they had to limit big plays, and they executed that plan effectively.
| Player | Team | Targets | Catches | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyreek Hill | MIA | 8 | 5 | 77 | 15.4 | 0 | 34 |
| Jaylen Waddle | MIA | 7 | 5 | 63 | 12.6 | 1 | 22 |
| Braxton Berrios | MIA | 4 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 0 | 14 |
| Michael Mayer | LV | 6 | 5 | 48 | 9.6 | 1 | 18 |
| Jakobi Meyers | LV | 5 | 3 | 39 | 13.0 | 0 | 26 |
| Davante Adams | LV | 4 | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 0 | 15 |
Hill caught five passes but never broke free for the kind of 50-yard bomb that defines his game. The Raiders kept a safety over the top on nearly every snap and forced Tua to throw underneath. Hill’s longest catch went for 34 yards, and that play came in garbage time with the game already decided.
Waddle found the end zone on a 22-yard slant in the second quarter, but the Raiders adjusted their coverage after halftime and held him to just two catches in the final two quarters. The miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats in the receiving column reveal how effectively Las Vegas took away Miami’s vertical passing game.
On the Raiders’ side, rookie tight end Michael Mayer emerged as the surprise star. He caught five balls on six targets and scored a touchdown on a seam route that caught Miami’s linebackers out of position. His production gave O’Connell a reliable safety valve on third downs.
Defensive Plays, Turnovers, and Sacks
Defense won this game for Las Vegas. The Raiders generated consistent pressure on Tua and created the two turnovers that swung the scoreboard in their favor.
| Player | Team | Tackles | Sacks | TFLs | Passes Defended | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxx Crosby | LV | 7 | 2.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Divine Deablo | LV | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 (INT) |
| Marcus Epps | LV | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 (INT) |
| Jaelan Phillips | MIA | 5 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jerome Baker | MIA | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Xavien Howard | MIA | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Maxx Crosby dominated the line of scrimmage from the first snap to the last. He recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, and consistently forced Tua to throw off his back foot. Crosby’s motor never stopped, and Miami’s offensive tackles had no answer for his speed-to-power rush.
The two interceptions proved decisive. Epps picked off Tua in the third quarter on a throw intended for Hill over the middle. Deablo added a second pick in the fourth quarter when Tua tried to force a ball into tight coverage near the goal line. You can review the full defensive play-by-play on NFL.com for a deeper look at each turnover.
Miami’s defense played well in stretches but could not stop the run when it mattered most. Jacobs averaged over five yards per carry in the second half, and the Dolphins missed 11 tackles according to official game charting. Those missed tackles extended Raiders drives and kept Miami’s offense on the bench.
Step-by-Step Game-Changing Moments
Every close game hinges on a handful of plays that flip the script. This matchup featured four clear turning points that decided the final outcome.
First Quarter, 8:12 â Jacobs 18-yard run sets the tone. Josh Jacobs broke through the left side of Miami’s defensive line and sprinted 18 yards to the Dolphins’ 30-yard line. This run signaled that Las Vegas intended to bully Miami at the line of scrimmage all day.
Second Quarter, 4:45 â Waddle 22-yard touchdown ties the game. Tua hit Waddle on a quick slant, and Waddle broke a tackle to reach the end zone. This play gave Miami a brief 7-7 tie and showed the explosive potential that makes the miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats so compelling to study.
Third Quarter, 6:30 â Epps interception kills Miami drive. Miami drove to the Raiders’ 28-yard line and looked ready to take the lead. Tua dropped back, locked onto Hill, and threw directly into the hands of Marcus Epps. The pick ended Miami’s best scoring chance of the second half.
Fourth Quarter, 2:15 â Deablo goal-line interception seals the win. Miami faced fourth-and-goal from the Raiders’ 6-yard line with under three minutes left. Tua tried to squeeze a pass to Waddle in the back corner of the end zone. Deablo jumped the route, secured the ball, and ended any hope of a Dolphins comeback.
What the Numbers Tell Us About Each Team
The miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats paint a clear picture of two teams with very different identities. Miami relies on speed and explosive passing plays to score quickly. The Raiders build their offense around physical rushing and ball security.
Miami’s offensive line struggled to create running lanes and protect Tua against a four-man rush. The Dolphins allowed three sacks and posted just 83 rushing yards. Those numbers suggest the offensive line needs significant improvement if Miami wants to compete in January.
Las Vegas proved that a disciplined, turnover-free game plan can beat a more talented roster. The Raiders committed zero turnovers, converted 43 percent of their third downs, and controlled the clock for nearly 33 minutes. Those efficiency numbers matter far more than raw yardage totals.
Defensively, the Raiders showed they can scheme against elite receivers. Holding Tyreek Hill to 77 yards with no touchdowns represents a massive win for the Las Vegas coaching staff. The miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats confirm that disciplined coverage and consistent pressure neutralize even the fastest players in the league.
For Miami, the takeaway is simple. The Dolphins must fix their red-zone execution. They reached the red zone three times and scored just one touchdown. Against playoff-caliber opponents, that conversion rate will cost them games every single time.
Looking Back: How the Rivalry Has Unfolded Over Time
This rivalry produced some of the most dramatic moments in NFL history. The 1974 “Sea of Hands” playoff game remains the most famous meeting between these two franchises. Ken Stabler threw a last-second touchdown to Clarence Davis through a cluster of Miami defenders to win 28-26.
The 1990s brought several memorable regular-season clashes. Dan Marino and the Dolphins dominated the early part of the decade, but the Raiders pulled off a stunning 27-20 upset in 1995 that knocked Miami out of playoff contention.
In the 2000s and 2010s, the meetings became less frequent due to NFL scheduling rotations. The teams played roughly once every four years, which made each game feel like a novelty event. The miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats from these scattered matchups show wild swings in style and outcome.
The 2020 meeting stands out as a modern classic. The Raiders upset the Dolphins 21-19 in Miami on a last-second field goal. That game featured over 500 combined passing yards and four lead changes in the fourth quarter alone.
Historical star matchups add another layer to this rivalry. Marino versus Marcus Allen, Jason Taylor versus Rich Gannon, and now Tua versus the next generation of Raiders talent. Each era brings new names but the same competitive fire.
Why Player Stats Matter in This Matchup
Numbers tell the real story behind every football game. The miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats go far beyond basic box-score totals. They reveal coaching decisions, player health, and strategic adjustments that the naked eye often misses.
Quarterback efficiency stats, for example, show whether a passer made smart decisions or simply accumulated yards in meaningless situations. Tua’s 236 passing yards look solid until you factor in the two interceptions and the 33 percent red-zone conversion rate. Context transforms raw data into real insight.
Rushing splits by quarter tell an even deeper story. Jacobs averaged 3.1 yards per carry in the first half but exploded for 5.8 yards per carry after halftime. That shift indicates that Miami’s defensive front wore down as the game progressed, a trend that coaching staffs study closely when preparing for rematches.
Target distribution data also matters. Tua targeted Hill and Waddle on 15 of his 32 throws, which means the Raiders successfully took away Miami’s secondary options. When a defense forces an offense into predictable patterns, the miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats will always reflect that strategic advantage.
For fans and analysts, these numbers provide the foundation for informed debate. You can argue about eye test versus analytics all day, but the stats give you concrete evidence to support your position. Check out ESPN’s NFL stats hub for additional context on how these performances rank league-wide.
Final Thoughts and Fan Community Takeaways
This game proved that talent alone does not win football games. The Dolphins entered Allegiant Stadium with a superior roster on paper, but the Raiders outplayed them in every phase that mattered. Turnovers, red-zone execution, and time of possession decided the outcome.
For Dolphins fans, the miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats from this loss should spark honest conversations about the team’s playoff readiness. Miami cannot afford to turn the ball over twice against elite opponents and expect to advance in January. The offensive line also needs to provide better protection for Tua if the team wants to unlock its full passing potential.
Raiders fans should celebrate the grit and discipline this performance displayed. Maxx Crosby played like the best defensive end in football, and Josh Jacobs carried the offense on his back for four quarters. This win showed that Las Vegas can compete with any team when the game plan clicks.
Share your takeaways with fellow fans. Which stat surprised you the most? Did the Raiders’ defensive game plan change how you view this rivalry? Drop your thoughts in the comments and keep the conversation going.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have the Dolphins and Raiders played each other?
The two teams have met more than 25 times since their first matchup in 1966. Miami holds a slight edge in the all-time regular-season series, but the Raiders lead in postseason meetings.
Who won the most recent Dolphins vs Raiders game?
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-14 on December 24, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium. Josh Jacobs rushed for 111 yards and one touchdown to lead the Raiders.
Where can I find updated miami dolphins vs las vegas raiders match player stats?
You can find complete and updated stats on NFL.com, Pro Football Reference, and ESPN. Each site offers play-by-play breakdowns, advanced metrics, and historical comparisons.
Why did the Dolphins lose despite outgaining the Raiders?
Miami committed two turnovers and converted just 33 percent of its red-zone opportunities. The Raiders committed zero turnovers and controlled the clock for over 32 minutes, which proved decisive.
Which player had the biggest impact on the game?
Maxx Crosby recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, and constant pressure on Tua Tagovailoa. His dominance along the defensive line disrupted Miami’s entire offensive rhythm from start to finish.