5 THINGS WE LEARNED
Dolphins finally remember they have Mike Gesicki: Gesicki has had a limited role in Miami’s first two games, but with the team trailing to the Raiders in the second half Brissett began to lean on Gesicki, who was targeted 12 times and finished the game with 10 receptions for 86 yards. It’s clear that Miami’s struggling to find a role for the pass catching tight end who struggles as blocker. But late-game situations where the team must pass has been his specialty.
Welcome to the Dolphins, Will Fuller: Fuller ended his first full week of practice with the Dolphins by playing in his first game for his new team, and contributed 20 yards off three catches. He also scored the 2-point conversion that got the game to overtime. While Fuller was the biggest offseason addition Miami made in 2021, it might take him a minute to have the type of impact expected because of how few practices he’s participated in since joining the team for various reasons. So let’s not judge him too harshly over his limited impact in the first game.
Byron Jones shadows Darren Waller: Last time Eric Rowe faced Darren Waller the Raiders’ elite tight end produced 112 yards on five receptions. This time around the Dolphins altered their approach against Waller, having cornerback Byron Jones, who was a college safety, on Waller and having Nik Needham work on the boundary. Miami used Rowe to cover the Raiders other tight ends. Waller was targeted twice in the first half, and finished Sunday’s game with five receptions for 54 yards.
Another brutal uncalled pass interference in Vegas: Last year, then-Raider Nelson Agholor got away with a stiff-arm on a late 85-yard touchdown reception, but the Dolphins survived. This year, Johnathan Abram draped his right arm over a streaking Fuller in the end zone, and used the leverage to break up the play in overtime. If called properly, game over, 31-28 ... Dolphins.
Recipe for the loss was cooked in the 16 minutes before halftime: What happened after the Dolphins had taken a 14-0 lead? Jones, Elandon Roberts, Jevon Holland, WR and Justin Coleman were each flagged for a personal foul. That paved the way for the Raiders to get to within, 14-12. Then, Jason Sanders missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt that would have put the brakes on what became a 25-point run by The Silver and Black. With remotely disciplined play, the game doesn’t sniff overtime and the Dolphins are 2-1.