Raiders at Dolphins
THE STORY: The Oakland Raiders haven’t reached the playoffs since 2002 and were a combined 29-83 over the next seven years. So it is games such as Sunday’s against the Dolphins in Miami that not only can help them return to the postseason but continue to shed the loser label that has haunted them for nearly a decade. First-place Oakland, one game ahead of Denver in the AFC West, was 8-8 last season, a sign it was coming back to life. The Dolphins, who lost their first seven games, have also developed a strong pulse with wins in three of their last four games. They had every chance to beat Dallas on Thanksgiving before falling 20-19 on a field goal as time expired. The Raiders showed their mettle with a hard-fought 25-20 victory over Chicago last week and, with a game looming at Green Bay, they need to win games such as Sunday’s to realize their playoff dreams.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Dolphins -3, O/U 43
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (3-8): Miami is 13th in the NFL with 26 sacks and would benefit from applying pressure on Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer, who has been sacked 11 times in 4 1/2 games. Matt Moore was a big reason the Dolphins went 3-1 in November. His quarterback rating of 112.7 was third in the month only to Aaron Rodgers (131.6) and Tony Romo (113.0). Another key factor has been the defense, which has allowed an average of 10 points in its last four games after allowing 23.8 in its first seven.
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (7-4): Three of Oakland’s top offensive players all have foot injuries. Running back Darren McFadden is expected to miss his fifth straight game, while wide receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore are questionable to play. Oakland’s running game, though, hasn’t suffered because Michael Bush averaged 107.8 yards over the last four games. Bush, though, was held to 69 yards last week and will face a Miami defense which is No. 7 against the run. Palmer will have an opportunity to exploit the No. 24 passing defense, though, if his receiving corps is healthy enough.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Oakland leads the NFL with 109 penalties for 936 yards, but committed only six infractions for 44 yards last week.
2. Miami has won 10 of the last 12 meetings, including a 33-17 victory last season.
3. The Raiders, who are 4-1 on the road this season, have won six straight against the spread on the road.