Dolphins' aerial attack downs Raiders
Jonnu Smith caught six passes for a career-high 101 yards and two touchdowns and Tua Tagovailoa threw three touchdown passes to lead the host Miami Dolphins to a 34-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Dolphins (4-6) won back-to-back games for the first time this season as they continue to try to bolster their playoff chances while the Raiders (2-8) dropped their sixth in a row.
Tua Tagovailoa tossed a 57-yard touchdown to a wide open Smith over the middle with 3:19 remaining in the fourth quarter to go up 31-19.
Miami then sealed the outcome on the first play of the Raiders' ensuing series when Jalen Ramsey intercepted Gardner Minshew.
Tagovailoa led the Dolphins offense, completing 28 of 36 passes for 288 yards, three touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 127.8 passer rating.
Minshew, who got the start despite being benched in the Raiders' previous game two weeks ago, completed 30 of 43 passes for 282 yards, two touchdowns and the lone interception to Ramsey.
His favorite target was rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who gave Miami's defense fits by catching 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.
The Raiders put together a 14-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by Minshew's 10-yard touchdown pass to Ameer Abdullah with 4:23 left to pull within a score at 24-19.
Las Vegas appeared to have forced a Miami punt on its next drive, but committed a costly penalty as Darnay Holmes was called for pass interference on third and 5 from Miami's 35 with 3:32 left. Tagovailoa connected with Smith for his long touchdown on the next play.
The Dolphins' defense recorded three sacks of Minshew by Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell and Emmanuel Ogbah, and held the Raiders to 60 yards rushing.
Tyreek Hill finished with seven catches for 61 yards for the Dolphins and caught a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game after having none since Week 1. De'Von Achane led the way on the ground with 17 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown.
