Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders

The Miami Dolphins enter Week 7 with a clear goal: bounce back from their Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders. This game isn’t just about regaining momentum—it’s about proving that the team can learn from its mistakes and execute strategies that address the flaws exposed in the Chiefs matchup. From fixing pass protection to refining defensive coverage, every strategy the Dolphins employ will play a role in determining the outcome. Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down why these strategies are critical, especially as the Dolphins aim to maintain their lead in the AFC East and solidify their playoff positioning. A win here would push their record to 5-2, while a loss could let divisional rivals like the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots close the gap. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, executing these key strategies isn’t optional—it’s essential to keep their season on track.

Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders first focuses on strengthening the offensive line’s ability to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Against the Chiefs, Tagovailoa faced constant pressure, leading to rushed throws and two interceptions. This week, the Raiders’ pass rush—led by Maxx Crosby (4 sacks) and Chandler Jones (2 sacks)—poses a similar threat. To counter this, offensive coordinator Frank Smith has outlined two main tactics: using tight ends or running backs to double-team Crosby on critical downs and implementing more quick-pass plays. These plays, such as slants and screen passes, get the ball out of Tagovailoa’s hands in under 2.5 seconds, reducing the time the Raiders’ pass rush has to reach him. Data from recent games shows that when Tagovailoa has time to throw, he completes 72% of his passes and has a passer rating of 115.3; when pressured, those numbers drop to 58% and 81.2. By prioritizing this strategy, the Dolphins can keep Tagovailoa comfortable and allow him to connect with playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. This isn’t just a short-term fix for Week 7—it’s a way to build consistency that will benefit the team in future high-stakes games.

Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders then turns to the defensive side, where the primary focus is containing Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers this season, with 33 catches for 421 yards and 3 touchdowns, and his ability to create separation makes him a constant threat. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s plan involves assigning cornerback Xavien Howard to shadow Adams for most of the game, but with a twist: Howard will mix zone and man coverage to keep Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell guessing. This hybrid approach worked well in Week 3 against the Bills’ Stefon Diggs, who was limited to 4 catches for 39 yards. The Dolphins will also use safety Jordan Poyer to provide extra coverage when Adams lines up in the slot, preventing him from making easy catches over the middle. By containing Adams, the Dolphins can force O’Connell to rely on less experienced receivers, increasing the chances of turnovers or incomplete passes. This strategy is crucial because if Adams is allowed to dominate, the Raiders’ offense will be much harder to stop, putting pressure on the Dolphins’ offense to keep up.

Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders emphasizes the importance of improving ball security—a issue that hurt the Dolphins against the Chiefs. The Miami Dolphins’ offense turned the ball over twice in that game, both interceptions by Tagovailoa, which led to 14 points for Kansas City. This week, the Raiders rank 11th in the NFL in takeaways, so avoiding turnovers is even more critical. Tagovailoa has spent extra time in practice working on decision-making, focusing on not forcing passes into double coverage. Instead, he’ll look to check down to running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane when his top targets are covered. The running backs have also added ball-security drills to their routine, practicing how to hold the football tightly when being tackled. For example, Mostert has been working on tucking the ball against his chest with both hands when running through traffic. By prioritizing ball security, the Miami Dolphins’ offense can keep the Raiders’ defense off the field and maintain control of the game. This strategy isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about giving the offense more opportunities to score and build a lead.

Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders also highlights the role of special teams in securing a victory. Special teams often play a decisive role in close games, and the Miami Dolphins’ special teams unit has a chance to make a big impact against the Raiders. Kicker Jason Sanders has been perfect this season, making all 11 of his field goal attempts and 18 extra points, and he’ll be relied on to score points if the offense struggles in the red zone. Punter Jake Bailey will focus on pinning the Raiders inside their 20-yard line, limiting their offensive opportunities. The coverage unit, which had lapses against the Chiefs, has practiced extensively to stop Raiders returner DeAndre Carter, who averages 9.2 yards per punt return. By winning the special teams battle, the Miami Dolphins’ special teams unit can swing momentum in the Dolphins’ favor and give the offense good field position. For example, a long punt return by Jaylen Waddle could set up the offense inside the Raiders’ 30-yard line, making it easier to score a touchdown. This strategy shows that the Dolphins are focusing on all three phases of the game, not just offense and defense.

Miami Dolphins: Key Strategies to Secure a Week 7 Win Over the Las Vegas Raiders concludes by discussing how these strategies will shape the team’s overall performance. Head coach Mike McDaniel has stressed that the Miami Dolphins’ success in Week 7 will depend on executing these strategies consistently throughout the game. It’s not enough to have a good plan— the team needs to follow through on every play. For example, the offensive line must remember to double-team Crosby on third downs, and the defense must stay disciplined when covering Adams. If the Dolphins can execute these strategies, they’ll have a good chance of winning and regaining the momentum they had before the Chiefs loss. A win will also boost the team’s confidence heading into Week 8’s divisional matchup against the New York Jets. On the other hand, if the Dolphins fail to execute, they’ll face questions about their ability to bounce back from losses. For the Miami Dolphins’ success this season, Week 7 is a critical test—one that they’re prepared to pass by sticking to their key strategies.