Las Vegas Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins Matchup Preview (12/26/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

One day after Christmas, tune into the NFL Saturday night game for a Raiders, Dolphins matchup. Sure, Las Vegas (7-7) has been realistically (not mathematically) eliminated from the playoffs after their loss last week, but they remain exciting to watch. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota replaced the injured Derek Carr early last week and had an outstanding game. There are rumors, in-fact, he has a shot to take a permanent starting role. How he plays is significant in determining the Raiders’ future.

The Dolphins are in a slightly different situation. It looks like they found their starting quarterback in a Hawwain native named Tuanigamanuolepola “Tua” Tagovailoa. The Dolphins have not secured a playoff berth, but a couple of wins to close the season would likely be enough to earn a spot in the postseason.

In a matchup of young rosters with plenty to prove, NFL fans should expect a hard-fought game of football. The Bengals showed us last week that even teams with “nothing” to play for can still beat playoff teams. This game should be no different. There is no doubt that the Raiders, even from outside the playoff picture, will make the Dolphins work to earn this win. Strap in for an exciting game of football this Saturday night.

For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: December 26th, 2020
Time: 8:15 PM ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium – Paradise, Nevada
TV Coverage: ABC, NFL Network

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins Live Stream

Where can you watch (2nd name vs. 2nd name) online? You can stream this game and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch (use 2nd name. IE – Vikings) vs. Team B (use 2nd name. IE – Vikings) Free Online Now.

Injuries

Las Vegas Raiders:
IR list: Tyrell Williams (shoulder), Richie Incognito (foot), Jeff Heath (concussion), Takkarist McKinley (groin), Daryl Worley (undisclosed), Erik Harris (undisclosed), Maliek Collins (hamstring), Tanner Muse (toe), Nick Kwiatkoski (undisclosed), Nicholas Morrow (undisclosed). Out:

Miami Dolphins:
IR list: Vince Biegal (achilles), Davon Godchaux (biceps), Preston Williams (foot). Out: Solomon Kindley (knee). Questionable: DeVante Parker (hamstring), Jakeem Grant (hamstring), Ereck Flowers (ankle), Mike Gesicki (shoulder), Shaq Lawson (ankle).

Las Vegas Raiders Analysis

The Raiders lost last week to crush their hopes for a playoff berth. They sit 2nd in the AFC West behind the league’s most winning team, Kansas City (13-1). To end the season, they can still manage to avoid a losing record by winning just 1 of their next 2 games. Las Vegas hsa an opportunity to earn one of those wins this weekend against a Dolphins team that’s only favored by 2.5 points.

A strong point of optimism can be the success of Marcus Mariota last week. After starter Derek Carr went out with a groin injury, Mariota took the reins of the offense and played very well. The Oregon alum completed 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards, 2 total touchdowns, and an interception. Mariota had previously spent his career in Tennessee, but was benched midway through his 5th season. Now he is back and looks better than ever. If he can win the battle against a tough Miami team, there’s a chance Mariota earns another starting job.

The Raiders’ receiving core is only decent, but very deep. Nelson Agholor, Hunter Renfrow, and Henry Ruggs II trio the team’s lead wide receivers. Their yardage numbers are far apart, however. Agholor leads the pack with 684 yards, Renfrow has 598, and finally Ruggs has tallied just 414. Notably, Nelson Agholor has 7 touchdown receptions this year, more than Renfrow and Ruggs combined (4). Mariota should be able to find at least one of these receivers open throughout this game.

But none of these wide receivers lead the team in receiving. Darren Waller’s 967 receiving yards are by far the most on the team. The Raiders are in-fact one of just two teams in the league with their leading receiver being a tight end (other are Kansas City Chiefs). Beyond the yardage, Waller has 93 receptions (6th) and 8 touchdowns (10th). Marcus Mariota took advantage of his 6’6 target last week, giving him 9 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown. Look for Mariota to get him more involved against this Saturday.

Josh Jacobs has been a breakout star for Las Vegas this year. The second year running back has rushed for 907 yards (6th) and 10 touchdowns (6th) on the season, both near the top of th league. He was top 10 in rushing in his rookie season, but this this year will be his first visit to the pro bowl. Last week he only managed 76 yards and a touchdown with his 26 attempts, so look for him to earn a bounce back game. Miami allows 120 yards on the ground per game, 20th in the league. Jacobs should be able to take advantage of this easy matchup .

A decent passing offense but strong rushing attack has given above average offensive rankings. They travel 375 yards (11th) and score 26.9 points (11th) points per game. They perform poorly, however, in the Red Zone. They score a touchdown on just 56.6 percent of visits, 24th in the league. That being said, they are the 2nd best third down offense in the league, converting 49.14% of the time. It will be interesting to watch the battle between the 2nd ranked third down offense against the 1st ranked third down defense. Miami stops opponents from converting a league leading 67.47% of third downs.

The Las Vegas defense has underperformed this year. They allow 385.4 yards (25th) and 30.1 points (29th) per game. They can’t force turnovers (15 this season, T-28th), they can’t stop opponents in the Red Zone (allow TD on 66.1% of visits, 27th), and they really can’t force 4th downs (allow conversion on 3rd 50.57% of time, 31st). All-in-all, the Raiders have one of the worst defenses in the league. Tua and the Dolphins offense are likely to score plenty with this easy matchup.

I mentioned in my preview of the Raiders last week that their game against the Chargers was about identity. “Are they a legitimately good team?”, I wrote, in reference to their wins against the Chiefs and Browns. I concluded their game against the Chargers would answer the question. After a 33-30 loss, it is fair to say the Raiders are not playoff-caliber. At least not yet. The addition of a true WR1 and a much better defense is what Las Vegas needs to earn a ticket to the postseason. Until then, Raiders fans should expect nothing more than a .500 season.

Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart

QB: Derek Carr
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: Jalen Richard
WR1: Henry Ruggs
WR2: Tyrell Williams
WR3: Hunter Renfrow
TE: Darren Waller

Miami Dolphins Analysis

The Dolphins won last week to boost their chances of a playoff berth. A pair of wins to end the season is probably enough for Miami to secure their first postseason trip since 2016, and just second since 2009. At just 22 years old, Tua has a chance to become one of the youngest quarterbacks to ever start in the playoffs. His road to get there starts in Paradise, Nevada.

There is little debate that Tua is having an incredible rookie season. The win over New England last week gave him the most wins by any Alabama rookie quarterback in NFL history (5). He has also been very accurate with the football. Even though he threw just an interception last week, it was just his second of the season. If the season ended today, Tua would have thrown the fewest interceptions by any rookie with at least 200 attempts in NFL history. His 1359 yards (35th) and 12 total touchdowns (9 passing, 3 rushing) are not amazing stats, but they’ve been enough to earn a respectable 5-2 record as the starter. His opponent, the Raiders, allow an average passer rating of 93.2 (17th). Tua should be able to take advantage of this below average passing defense and continue putting up fair numbers.

The Dolphins use a variety of positions for receiving options. It was just last week, for example, Miami’s two leading receivers were not in-fact wide receivers. Running back Lynn Bowden Jr. caught a team-leading 6 receptions for 37 yard, tight end Durham Smythe had the most receiving yards with 40. But it is receiver DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki that lead in receiving this season. The pair have both surpassed 600 receiving yards and have recorded at least 4 touchdowns each. Each are listed as questionable, however, entering this game. If they do miss this week, Isaiah Ford, Durham Smythe, Lynn Bowden Jr. are expected to earn more playing time. Tua will need to adjust to throwing to new receivers.

Miami’s run game has been unsuccessful this season. Rushing for just 106.3 yards per game, they rank 22nd in the league. But that might change to close the year. The return of Salvon Ahmed last week was a game changer. The 21 year old ran for 122 yards and a touchdown in the win against the Patriots. Look for him to take advantage of a Raiders defense that allows 125.8 rushing yards per game, 25th in the league.

The mix between a decent passing attack and poor rushing has combined for a below average offense. They travel just 327.6 yards (26th) and score 25.1 points (16th) per game. They’re about average in the Red Zone, scoring a touchdown on 60.38 percent of visits (15th). They struggle on third down more than most, converting just 40.46% of the time (21st). Overall, their offense is slightly below average but by no means a disaster.

Miami’s defense, on the other hand, has been elite this year. They hold opponents to 358.1 yards (18th), and a league’s best 18.4 points (1st) per game. This is largely because of the secondary. Cornerback Xavier Howard’s league leading 9 interceptions this year have contributed to Miami causing the most turnovers by any team in the league. Their 26 takeaways (16 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries), is the most of any team in the league. Miami does well defensively in the Red Zone, allowing a touchdown on just 56.41% of visits (8th), but it is their third down defense where they excel. They allow a conversion on just 32.53% of third downs, by far the best in the league. The Raiders offense should certainly struggle on Saturday night.

The Dolphins continue to be the team that surprises people. Their 9-5 record was far beyond what oddsmakers anticipated in preseason, and each week they continue to do better than expected. In fact, their 11-3 record against the spread leads the team. A decisive win last week against the Patriots has brought them right in the thick of things for a playoff race. Another winnable matchup this weekend will further boost their chances. For a team so looked over, it’s hard not to root for them.

Miami Dolphins Depth Chart

QB: Tua Tagovailoa
RB1: Matt Breida
RB2: Jordan Howard
WR1: DeVante Parker
WR2: Preston Williams
WR3: Jakeem Grant
TE: Mike Gesicki

Betting Corner: Miami Dolphins -2.5

Spread: -2.5 Dolphins
Moneyline: -142 Dolphins, +120 Raiders
Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction

Spread: -2.5 Dolphins
Moneyline: -142 Dolphins
Over/Under: Under

The Dolphins are now incredibly 11-3 against the spread, two games better than the next best team. If they were to beat the spread in their next 3 games (assuming they make the playoffs), it would be the 5th best single-season ATS record in NFL history. The Dolphins are underrated, there is no other way to put it. Against a Raiders team that should have lost to the Jets, and has been struggling on defense all year, I think the Dolphins will win by at least a field goal. Final Score Prediction: 27-20 Dolphins

Daily Fantasy Love/Hate

Love: Darren Waller
Darren Waller has been one of the best plays in fantasy all season. Last week was no exception. The 28 year old tallied 9 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Chargers. It was a fantasy game of 30 points. It is unlikely he has quite the same strong performance, but is still a really good play. He should be started in your championship or in daily leagues.

Hate: Lynn Bowden Jr.
Lynn Bowden Jr. is likely going to get more playing time on Saturday because of the amount of injuries to Dolphins’ offensive playmakers. Last week he had a respectable 10.6 fantasy point against New England. With potentially even more players out, look for another big game out of him. The Raiders have a poor defense, making his fantasy value even more enticing. Start him if you have him in your championship, and he’s certainly a great value pick in daily leagues.