Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win

The Miami Dolphins know that beating the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 isn’t just about exploiting weaknesses—it’s also about neutralizing the Raiders’ most dangerous threats. Las Vegas may be 2-4, but they have playmakers who can turn the game in an instant: wide receiver Davante Adams, running back Josh Jacobs, and a pass rush led by Maxx Crosby. For the Dolphins, a successful game plan must balance attacking Raiders flaws with shutting down these key players. Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win breaks down how the Dolphins will tailor their strategy to each threat, why these matchups are critical, and how executing this plan will keep their AFC East lead intact. A win here isn’t just a bounce-back—it’s a demonstration of the Dolphins’ ability to adapt to any opponent, a skill that will define their playoff potential.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win first focuses on containing Davante Adams, the Raiders’ offensive centerpiece. Adams has been nearly unstoppable at times this season, using his route-running precision and hands to rack up 33 catches for 421 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Dolphins’ solution? A hybrid coverage approach led by cornerback Xavien Howard. Howard, who has 2 interceptions and 6 pass deflections this season, will shadow Adams on most snaps—but instead of playing pure man coverage, he’ll mix in zone looks to confuse Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell. For example, Howard will line up in a zone alignment pre-snap, then flip to man coverage once Adams breaks his route, preventing O’Connell from pre-reading the defense. The Dolphins will also use safety Jordan Poyer to provide over-the-top help on deep routes, as Adams has 4 catches of 25+ yards this season. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has emphasized that “containing Adams isn’t about stopping him entirely—it’s about limiting his big plays and forcing O’Connell to look elsewhere.” By making Adams work for every catch and limiting his yards after the catch, the Dolphins can disrupt the Raiders’ passing rhythm and reduce their scoring opportunities. This strategy is critical because if Adams is allowed to dominate, the Raiders can control the tempo and put pressure on the Dolphins’ offense to keep up.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win then turns to stopping Josh Jacobs, the Raiders’ veteran running back. While Jacobs hasn’t had a standout season (302 rushing yards, 1 touchdown), he’s still a physical runner who can wear down defenses if given space. The Raiders often use Jacobs in “power runs” between the tackles on early downs, looking to establish the run and set up play-action passes. The Dolphins’ defensive line, led by Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler, will counter this with gap-control defense—each lineman will take responsibility for a specific gap, preventing Jacobs from finding holes. Linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Mohamed Kamara will also play a key role, flowing to the ball quickly and making tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Film study shows that Jacobs struggles when defenses meet him at the line—he averages just 2.8 yards per carry when tackled within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage, compared to 5.3 yards when he breaks the first tackle. The Dolphins will also use “run blitzes” on third-and-short, sending an extra linebacker to plug the gap and force Jacobs into a stop. By neutralizing Jacobs, the Dolphins can force the Raiders into more passing situations, where O’Connell is less comfortable (he has a 78.9 passer rating on third downs, compared to 92.3 on first and second downs). This strategy not only limits the Raiders’ run game but also sets up the Dolphins’ pass rush to pressure O’Connell.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win emphasizes how the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line will counter the Raiders’ pass rush, led by Maxx Crosby. Crosby has been one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge rushers this season, with 4 sacks, 15 pressures, and 2 forced fumbles. The Raiders often line him up on the left edge (opposite the Dolphins’ right tackle) and use him in one-on-one matchups, relying on his speed and power to beat blockers. The Dolphins’ solution? A mix of double-teams and quick-pass concepts. On passing downs, right tackle Austin Jackson will get help from either tight end Durham Smythe or running back Raheem Mostert, forming a “double team” that limits Crosby’s ability to rush the quarterback. Offensive coordinator Frank Smith has also added more quick-pass plays—slants, bubbles, and screen passes—that get the ball out of Tua Tagovailoa’s hands in under 2.5 seconds, reducing the time Crosby has to reach him. The Miami Dolphins’ offensive line has improved its pass-blocking efficiency by 15% since Week 2, and Jackson has allowed just 1 sack in his last 3 games, showing he’s capable of handling tough matchups with help. By neutralizing Crosby, the Dolphins can keep Tagovailoa clean, allowing him to connect with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on deep routes and extend drives. This strategy is critical because if Crosby is allowed to pressure Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ offense will struggle to generate momentum, and turnovers could follow (Tagovailoa has 2 interceptions when pressured this season).

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win also highlights how the Miami Dolphins’ special teams unit will limit the Raiders’ return game, a potential source of momentum swings. The Raiders have a dangerous returner in DeAndre Carter, who averages 9.2 yards per punt return and has a career-long return of 84 yards for a touchdown. The Dolphins’ special teams coverage unit, which had lapses against the Chiefs (allowing a 20-yard punt return), has spent extra time in practice working on “gap coverage” to prevent Carter from finding lanes. Linebackers Kamara and Van Ginkel will lead the coverage unit, taking responsibility for the outside gaps, while defensive backs Elijah Campbell and Verone McKinley III will cover the inside gaps. The Miami Dolphins’ special teams unit will also use a “pooch punt” strategy on some plays, kicking the ball short to the sidelines to limit Carter’s ability to make a big return. Kicker Jason Sanders, who has made all 11 of his field goal attempts this season, will also play a key role in scoring points if the offense struggles in the red zone. The Raiders’ kicker Daniel Carlson has missed 2 of his 8 attempts, so Sanders’ accuracy could be a decisive factor in a close game. By winning the special teams battle—limiting Carter’s returns, making field goals, and pinning the Raiders inside their 20-yard line—the Dolphins can swing momentum in their favor and give their offense good field position to score.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 Game Plan to Neutralize Raiders’ Threats and Secure a Win concludes by stressing that the Miami Dolphins’ success in this game will depend on discipline and consistency. Even the best game plan fails if players make mental mistakes—whether it’s a defensive lineman overpursuing Jacobs, an offensive lineman missing a block on Crosby, or a special teams player missing a tackle on Carter. Head coach Mike McDaniel has focused on “discipline drills” in practice this week, simulating game scenarios where players must stick to their assignments rather than trying to make a highlight play. For example, defensive linemen have practiced staying in their gaps instead of chasing the ball, and offensive linemen have worked on maintaining their blocks for 3 seconds to protect Tagovailoa. The Miami Dolphins’ success also relies on staying focused for 60 minutes—something they struggled with in Week 6 against the Chiefs, when they gave up 14 unanswered points in the second half. If the Dolphins can execute their game plan consistently, limit the Raiders’ key playmakers, and avoid mistakes, they’ll win this game and regain the momentum they lost against Kansas City. A win will keep them atop the AFC East and send a message to the rest of the league that they’re a team that can learn from its losses and adapt to any opponent. For the Dolphins, Week 7 is more than just a game—it’s a chance to prove they’re a legitimate playoff contender.