Inside the Numbers: Tagovailoa Conducts Methodical Drives in Win Over Las Vegas
Miami's offense had its highest scoring output of the season in the 34-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium, improving their record to 4-6 on the season.
It marks the franchise's 500th regular season win, becoming the 19th NFL organization to accomplish the feat. Since the Dolphins were established in 1966, they are one of five teams to record 500 regular season wins and are sixth among franchises in winning percentage during that span.
We go Inside the Numbers, presented by BDO, to take a look at the most notable team stats, individual metrics, milestones and more from Miami's Week 11 win.
Tagovailoa Leads Efficient and Methodical Offensive Performance
Miami scored on six of their seven possessions against the Raiders as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was the catalyst of the offensive success. He went 28-for-36 (77.8 pct.) for 288 yards, three passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 127.8. It was the 10th time in his career that Tagovailoa has thrown three touchdown passes in a game and the first time since Oct. 29, 2023 at New England.
Tagovailoa's passer rating of 127.8 is the sixth-highest mark of his career and his best since Dec. 3, 2023 at Washington (141.0). His 77.8 pass completion rate marks the 13th time he has completed at least 75.0 pct. of his passes in a game. He leads the NFL with a 73.4 completion percentage.
Tagovailoa opened the contest by leading Miami downfield with a 14-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 8:13, capped by a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith. On their next possession, which finished with a 31-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders, the Dolphins drove 52 yards on 16 plays, taking 8:22 off the clock, making it the longest scoring drive by Miami this season by time of possession. In their past three games, the Dolphins have recorded three of the four longest scoring drives, based on time of possession, under Head Coach Mike McDaniel.
Miami's third scoring drive, which concluded with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to wide receiver Tyreek Hill, was a 14-play, 97-yard drive lasting 7:47. The 97-yard drive is their second of the season (at Buffalo, Nov. 3), tying for Miami's longest drive by yardage in the McDaniel era. Miami's three scoring drives of at least 7:30 are tied for the most by any team in a game and the most in a single contest for the Dolphins since 2000.
Smith Paces Pass-Catchers
Jonnu Smith set a new career high in receiving yards and tied his career best in receiving touchdowns, hauling in six catches for 101 yards (16.8 avg.) and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to extends Miami's lead to 31-19. The performance marks his second career game of 100 or more receiving yards. His first 100-receiving yard game came during his time with Atlanta, when he had five catches for 100 yards (20.0 avg.) against Minnesota on Nov. 5, 2023. Sunday's performance marked the third time in his career with two receiving touchdowns in a game and first since he was with Tennessee on Oct. 13, 2020 against Buffalo.
Smith is the only Miami tight end since the 1970 merger to have 100 or more receiving yards and two touchdown catches in a game. He is one of two tight ends this season to total 100 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a game, joining Cincinnati tight end Mike Gesicki's 100-yard, two touchdown performance on Nov. 3, 2024, also against the Raiders.
Hill caught a team-high seven passes for 61 yards (8.7 avg.) and a touchdown. The seven receptions mark the most Hill has had in a game this season since his seven on Sept. 8, 2024 against Jacksonville. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle caught two passes for 37 yards (18.5 avg.), while tight end Julian Hill added two receptions for a career-high 28 yards (14.0 avg.).
Defense Helps Secure the Win
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey hauled in his second interception of the season, giving Miami the ball back with a 12-point lead with less than four minutes remaining in the game. It was Ramsey's third interception in his last two appearances against Las Vegas after his two-pick performance against the Raiders last season. His interception of quarterback Gardner Minshew was his second pick in the past three weeks, marking his fourth consecutive season recording multiple interceptions. Only New Orleans' Tyrann Mathieu has more with five consecutive seasons.
Defensive tackle Calais Campbell recorded his fourth sack of the season and second in the past two weeks. He is the eighth player in NFL history, age 38 or older, to record sacks in back-to-back games since the 1970 merger. His 4.0 sacks lead the team, while his 33 tackles (26 solo) rank first among Dolphins defensive linemen.
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler had an impressive afternoon, recording four tackles (three solo), a sack, two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. He has now recorded at least one tackle in 75 consecutive games played. Only Las Vegas defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has a longer active streak (80 games).
Linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah also added a sack in the contest, bringing down Gardner Minshew for a one-yard loss in the second quarter. The sack gives Ogbah 3.0 sacks on the season, tied with Sieler for the second-most on the team.
Individual/Team Stats and Milestones
Running back De'Von Achane raked in 105 yards from scrimmage against Las Vegas, marking his fifth game this season with at least 100 combined yards. He carried the ball 17 times for 73 yards (4.3 avg.) and a touchdown, while catching four passes for 32 yards (8.0 avg.). Achane's fourth quarter touchdown gave him the 17th of his career, which ranks second among all players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, trailing Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs' 20 scores. Achane now has 46 receptions on the season, tied for second among running backs in the NFL, as well as 349 receiving yards, which is fourth at the position.
Sanders made four extra points, passing Pete Stoyanovich for third place in extra points made in franchise history. He added two field goals on the afternoon, connecting from 31 yards out in the second quarter and 46 yards in the fourth quarter to give Miami with a 34-19 lead.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks had a game-high 12 tackles (eight solo) in the contest. Through Miami's 10 games, he leads the team with 85 tackles (49 solo).
Several Dolphins achieved games played and started milestones. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson and tight end Jack Stoll made their Dolphins debuts. Tackle Terron Armstead made his 125th career start, Ogbah made his 80th career start, offensive lineman Aaron Brewer and safety Jevón Holland made their 50th career starts and defensive tackle Benito Jones appeared in his 50th career game.