Dolphins just good enough to beat Raiders, but not good enough to reach championship goals | Schad
MIAMI GARDENS — We'll remember two interceptions by Jalen Ramsey, including one in the end zone to seal the game on the final defensive play.
"Best corner in the league, man," Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill said.
We'll remember the Dolphins defense posting a second straight second-half shutout.
"It was a matter of when, not if," coach Mike McDaniel said of the defense rising.
The Dolphins beat the Raiders 20-13 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday and they're 7-3 and they're in control of the AFC East.
"The job's not done," quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said.
And here's the thing - the job, the assignment - a long playoff run, perhaps even all the way to Las Vegas and the next Super Bowl, will not happen unless Miami remembers what went wrong on Sunday.
There is no way in the world that the Raiders - a woeful 14-point underdog with an interim head coach - should have been anywhere close to position to force overtime.
Miami dominated that game in almost every facet. But, and this is the key, the Dolphins very nearly beat themselves.
On Miami's first possession, Tagovailoa fumbled, after scrambling for a first down.
In the second quarter, rookie tight end Julian Hill fumbled.
On Miami's first possession of the second half, Tua was intercepted on a deep pass attempt to Jaylen Waddle that involved - you guessed it - miscommunication.
"Self-inflicted things," Tua said.
Dolphins must be better in turnover margin
Entering play on Sunday, oddly, only four NFL teams had a worse turnover margin than the Dolphins. In part, Miami had too many turnovers and in part, Miami has not forced enough turnovers.
Miami also missed a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter.
This is where we tell you Jason Sanders made a 51-yarder later in the quarter.
And that Ramsey's two interceptions were complemented by the first career interception of Jaelan Phillips, a fourth-down snag in the fourth quarter keyed by a Christian Wilkins' pressure.
We all know that injuries can derail any NFL season.
Ask the Bengals (Joe Burrow), Browns (Deshaun Watson) and Jets (probably Aaron Rodgers).
Miami can celebrate that it is not only 7-3 but that quarterback Tua - who did take a few shots on Sunday - seems to have emerged without serious injury.
De'Von Achane injury not ideal for Dolphins
And although rookie running back De'Von Achane left after one carry on Sunday, McDaniel seems relatively encouraged that his re-injuring of a knee is not devastating in nature.
The Dolphins have been presented with a remarkable opportunity here.
De'Von Achane injury. Tyreek Hill injury. Miami Dolphins bad news in game vs. Las Vegas.
According to New York Times calculations, Miami has a 90 percent chance to win the AFC East and 97 percent chance to make the NFL playoffs.
To a large extent, only the Dolphins (and, OK, maybe the Chiefs on a good day or something) can stop this train. Don't mess it up.
That's a big part of the assignment here.
Fewer penalties. Fewer miscommunications. Fewer turnovers.
Mike McDaniel is a positive individual
"How many yards did we have? More than 400?" said McDaniel, who could star in a show called 'It's Always Sunny in Miami Gardens.' "Every opponent is threatening and you have to bring your best."
Miami's defense is rounding into form.
There is Top-10, perhaps Top-5, talent and top-notch coaching.
It is true that Miami showed a bit of bye-week rust. And that the Dolphins played largely without Achane and starting tight end Durham Smythe and starting right guard Robert Hunt and slot receiver Braxton Berrios.
But Miami will need to be sharper, cleaner and better on offense in coming weeks.
"I know my expectations and the standard," Tua said, which is exactly why he's the right quarterback for this team, at this moment.
Tua believes there is an opportunity for greatness here.
And Tua understands what happened Sunday was good enough to win a game, but not quite good enough for his team to reach its goals.
Instant takeaways from the Dolphins' 20-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on social media platforms @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing.