Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders

For the Miami Dolphins, Week 7’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just a new matchup—it’s a chance to build on proven strategies that worked against teams with similar defensive styles. The Raiders’ defense relies on aggressive edge rushing, frequent coverage shifts, and a focus on stopping the run—traits shared by teams like the New England Patriots and New York Giants, whom the Dolphins beat handily earlier this season. By studying their past successes against these comparable defenses, the Dolphins can avoid reinventing the wheel and instead double down on what already works: exploiting gaps in run defense, using quick passes to counter edge rushes, and leveraging Tyreek Hill’s speed against man coverage. Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders breaks down which past strategies are most applicable, how they’ll be adapted to the Raiders’ unique quirks, and why this “lessons learned” approach will lead to a win. For the Dolphins, this game is about smart repetition—not experimentation—and turning prior victories into a blueprint for Sunday.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders first focuses on the Dolphins’ run game strategy, which proved effective against teams with run defenses similar to the Raiders’. Las Vegas ranks 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (132.2), a stat that mirrors the Patriots’ 23rd-ranked run defense (130.5) and the Giants’ 25th-ranked unit (135.8) earlier this season. Against those teams, the Dolphins leaned on a mix of zone-blocking schemes and cutback runs to exploit overpursuing defenders—and they plan to do the same against the Raiders. For example, against the Patriots in Week 4, Raheem Mostert rushed for 97 yards by using cutback lanes created when Patriots linebackers overcommitted to the outside. The Raiders’ linebackers, particularly Divine Deablo, show the same tendency to chase the ball instead of maintaining gap discipline, per film study. Offensive coordinator Frank Smith has already incorporated plays from the Patriots and Giants games into this week’s game plan, including “zone stretch” runs to the left (where Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones often overpursues) and “power runs” up the middle to target the Raiders’ inconsistent interior line. “Why change what works?” Smith said this week. “We know how to beat defenses that play like the Raiders—we just need to execute those same plays with the same precision.” By sticking to this proven run game strategy, the Dolphins can control the clock, keep the Raiders’ pass rush off the field, and set up play-action passes for Tua Tagovailoa.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders then turns to the Dolphins’ passing game adjustments, which were key to beating teams with edge-rushing threats like the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby. Crosby, with 4 sacks and 15 pressures this season, is comparable to the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux (3 sacks, 12 pressures) and the Patriots’ Matthew Judon (4 sacks, 14 pressures)—edge rushers the Dolphins neutralized earlier this year. Against Thibodeaux and Judon, the Dolphins used two strategies that worked: quick-pass concepts (slants, bubbles, screen passes) that get the ball out of Tagovailoa’s hands in under 2.5 seconds, and double-teams on third downs to limit one-on-one matchups. For example, against the Giants, Tagovailoa completed 81% of his quick passes for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns, while the offensive line used tight ends to double-team Thibodeaux on 60% of third downs. The Dolphins plan to replicate this against Crosby: tight end Durham Smythe will line up on Crosby’s side on third downs to provide extra protection, while Hill and Jaylen Waddle will run short routes to give Tagovailoa immediate targets. “Crosby is a great player, but he can’t sack the quarterback if the ball is already thrown,” Tagovailoa said. By using these proven passing game adjustments, the Dolphins can avoid the pressure that led to turnovers against the Chiefs and keep their passing attack on track.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders emphasizes how the Miami Dolphins’ secondary will apply lessons from shutting down receivers like the Raiders’ Davante Adams. Adams, a dominant route-runner with 33 catches for 421 yards, is similar to the Bills’ Stefon Diggs and the Patriots’ DeVante Parker—receivers the Dolphins limited in earlier matchups. The Miami Dolphins’ secondary used a hybrid zone-man coverage approach against Diggs (holding him to 4 catches for 39 yards) and Parker (3 catches for 28 yards), and they’ll deploy the same strategy against Adams. Cornerback Xavien Howard will shadow Adams for most snaps, but instead of pure man coverage, he’ll mix in zone looks to confuse Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell—just like he did against Diggs. Safety Jordan Poyer will provide over-the-top help on deep routes, preventing Adams from making the big plays that have hurt other teams. The Miami Dolphins’ secondary also learned from the Patriots game to communicate coverage shifts quickly: against New England, they adjusted their coverage mid-play 12 times to prevent Parker from getting open, and they’ll use that same rapid communication against the Raiders’ pre-snap motion. “We know how to slow down top receivers—we just need to apply what we learned,” Howard said. By leaning on this proven secondary strategy, the Dolphins can limit Adams’ impact and force O’Connell to rely on less experienced receivers, increasing the chances of turnovers.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders also highlights how the Miami Dolphins’ pass rush will build on its success against teams with offensive lines like the Raiders’. Las Vegas’ offensive line ranks 26th in sacks allowed (18), a weakness similar to the Giants’ 27th-ranked line (19 sacks allowed) and the Patriots’ 25th-ranked unit (17 sacks allowed)—lines the Dolphins pressured consistently earlier this season. The Miami Dolphins’ pass rush used a mix of interior rushes and edge blitzes against those teams: Christian Wilkins dominated the Giants’ center for 2 pressures, while Jaelan Phillips sacked Patriots quarterback Mac Jones twice with speed moves. Against the Raiders, the pass rush will focus on the same approach: Wilkins will target the Raiders’ right guard (who has allowed 4 sacks) with quick interior moves, while Phillips and linebacker Mohamed Kamara will use edge blitzes to pressure O’Connell from the outside. The Miami Dolphins’ pass rush also learned from the Giants game to vary their timing—against New York, they mixed up delayed blitzes with immediate rushes to keep the offensive line off-balance, and they’ll use that same variation against the Raiders. “The Raiders’ line struggles with consistency—we just need to keep them guessing,” Wilkins said. By applying these proven pass-rushing strategies, the Dolphins can disrupt O’Connell’s rhythm, force hurried throws, and limit the Raiders’ scoring opportunities.

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 – Using Past Successes Against Similar Defenses to Outplay the Raiders concludes by stressing that the Miami Dolphins’ game plan consistency will be the key to turning past successes into a Week 7 win. One of the biggest mistakes teams make is abandoning what works when facing a new opponent—but the Dolphins aren’t making that error. Instead, they’re taking the strategies that beat the Patriots, Giants, and Bills, adapting them to the Raiders’ specific weaknesses (like Crosby’s pass-rushing style or Adams’ route preferences), and executing them with the same precision. The Miami Dolphins’ game plan consistency means players don’t have to learn new plays—they just have to refine the ones they already master, which reduces mistakes and increases confidence. For example, Mostert doesn’t need to practice new run moves; he just needs to adjust his cutback timing to exploit the Raiders’ overpursuing linebackers. Tagovailoa doesn’t need to learn new passing concepts; he just needs to target the same short routes that worked against the Giants’ edge rush. “Consistency builds trust—trust builds wins,” head coach Mike McDaniel said. By staying consistent with their proven game plan, the Dolphins can avoid the lapses that cost them against the Chiefs, leverage their past successes, and secure a victory that keeps them atop the AFC East. For the Dolphins, Week 7 isn’t just about beating the Raiders—it’s about proving that smart, consistent football is the path to long-term success. When the final whistle blows, their past victories won’t just be memories—they’ll be the reason they walk off the field with a win.