Running back REGGIE BUSH (with 197 yards total offense on 29 touches and 2 scores) aggravated the Oakland Raiders and got help from his quarterback and defense to dismiss the Raiders 35-13 in Miami’s home opener of the 2012 season. The Dolphins go to 1-1 with this win while the Raiders fall to 0-2. The Dolphins balanced offense put up 452 yards on the Raiders defense, in what was an uncharacteristic game offensively for the Dolphins in recent memory.
Rookie quarterback RYAN TANNEHILL (18 of 20 for 200 yards, 1 touchdown pass, and no interceptions) started off the scoring with a 2 yard touchdown run to the left corner of the end zone with 9:19 left in the first quarter. It took the Raiders just about the entire first quarter to score a touchdown of their own. This scoring drive began at the Oakland 8 yard line. The drive was keyed by a CARSON PALMER (24 of 48 for 373 yards, 1 touchdown pass, and 1 interception) to fullback MARCEL REESE 14 yard completion to their own 36 yard line. Then two plays later, Palmer completed a pass to running back MIKE GOODSON (who was running a wheel route near the right sideline) who took the pass and raced 64 yards untouched down the right sideline to tie the game at 7-7. It was Goodson’s first touchdown catch of his four-year career.
In the second quarter on first and ten, Raiders defensive end MATT SHAUGHNESSY sacked Tannehill for an 11 yard loss to push the ball back to the Miami 32 yard line. Then on the next play cornerback SHAWNTAE SPENCER stopped Bush for a 4 yard loss. This drive officially withered away on a third down Tannehill incompletion to fullback/tight end CHARLES CLAY who was wide open on the play. Those big defensive plays forced a Miami punt.
Big passes to receiver DENARIUS MOORE and tight ends BRANDON MEYERS and DAVID AUSBERRY (31 yards down the right sideline) advanced the Raiders all the way to Miami 7 yard line. But they couldn’t manufacture a touchdown and had to settle for a 25 yard field goal by SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI to give the Raiders a 10-7 lead, which would end up being the last time the Raiders led in this game.
In the third quarter linebacker ROLANDO MCCLAIN ended a Miami drive with a wrap-up tackle of tight end ANTHONY FASANO a yard short of the first down marker with around eleven minutes left. But Oakland had to settle for abysmal field position at their own 1 yard line. The drive quickly became a three and out when Palmer fired an incompletion to Moore on third down.
Late in the third quarter Miami took over at their own 44 yard line. This drive was helped by a Tannehill to receiver BRIAN HARTLINE (9 catches for 111 yards and no score) 12 yard reception to the Raiders 32 yard line. Later, Bush had one of the better touchdown runs one will ever see. He took the handoff near the middle of the line, took off up the middle, broke three tackles, was nearly tripped up by the third tackler, and then he kept his balance and sped into the end zone. After the extra point it was 14-10 Miami.
Oakland took over at their own 20. A Palmer 17 yard reception to Meyers put the Raiders near midfield. Then later running back DARREN MCFADDEN latched onto a 13 yard reception and trotted down the left sideline. But those key plays were wasted due to an incompletion to Moore again versus tight coverage from cornerback SEAN SMITH.
The Dolphins took over at their own 20. Hartline again went to work on the Raiders secondary, as he secured a key reception to the Dolphins 35 yard line. Then on the next play, Bush put another knife into the Raiders backs as he carried 65 yards down the left sideline for his second touchdown run of the third quarter to give his team a 21-10 advantage very late in the third quarter. Dolphins fans enthusiastically chanted “Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!” right before kicker DAN CARPENTER came in to attempt the extra point. Bush had one of the best games of his career and the fans with that chant let him know it.
Defensive back PHILLIP ADAMS authored the best play of the second half for the Raiders as he returned a punt to the Miami 25 yard line. But the Raiders ended up getting only a 27 yard Janikowski field goal to make the score 21-13 Miami, near the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Hartline’s 23 yards on 2 catches and a 16 yard DAVONE BESS reception on the Dolphins’ next drive, led to a Fasano 14 yard touchdown reception to add to the Raiders’ misery and put the score at 28-13. Linebacker OLIVIER VERNON delivered a cold-blooded helmet to helmet hit on returner COYE FRANCIES that could be heard around the United States on the ensuing kickoff. Francies took his time to get up and when he did rise he probably forgot what his name was or where he was. He never returned to the game in any capacity.
Lechler came in for his 9th punt of the game after a Raider three and out. Miami took over at their own 30 yard line. With 5:06 left in the game and later in the drive, rookie running back LAMAR MILLER (10 carries for 65 yards and 1 score) took off 15 yards for a score and a 35-13 lead after the extra point was tacked on.
By Matthew Robinson
