WR Ted Ginn Jr. Scores on the opening drive

The Raiders came out flatter than a carpenters daughter and drew 3 flags in the 1^st 8 plays, one on right guard Cooper Carlisle on the very 1^st play of the game and 2 more for off sides by the defense after Oakland went 3 and out.

Oaklands defensive penalties gave the Fins breathing room and started a series on their own 7 yd line that ended 9 plays later with yet another opening drive touch down against the Raiders.

Oaklands offense only compiled 186 yds of offense and while RB Justin Fargas had a few decent runs, he had just 57 yds on 17 carries with a long of 15. His team mate Darren McFadden was again, non existent, finishing with 3 hand offs for 13 yds including an 8 yarder.

Mike Mayock’s pre draft concern about McFadden tendency to "go down on first contact." is glaringly apparent.

Odds are, he’s still injured. He’s playing like it.

They did move the ball better on occasion, with WR Ronald Curry actually making an appearance and holding onto some Russell laser strikes, he snagged 6 for 73 yds, but noting over 16 yds. The Raiders did fire deep a few times and Russell’s arm is impressive. If Oakland could ever find a receiver who will fight for the ball like Green Bay’s stellar crew and his wide outs at LSU, Oakland could be onto something.

They’ll need pass protection first. Center John Wade filling for the oft injured Jake Grove was less than spectacular giving up sacks and blowing several run assignments. 2^nd year hopeful Mario Henderson played left tackle and traded with Kwame Harris, but had some issues of his own. All in all, his play is infinitely better than Harris’.

Russell had a solid game after dinging his already sore knee, he returned and finished the day 15 of 22 for 156, but was sacked all in all 5 times.

Oaklands TE’s contributed to the passing game and were one of the reasons they were able to move the ball on Miami’s D.

2^nd year TE Zach Miller had 4 grabs for 67 yds and Tony Stewart caught 2 for 17 but Oaklands offense has a long way to go.

A reflection of this is their inability to score touch downs. When in close, Oaklands offensive woes become magnified. Their red zone performances prove it.

Until this improves, the Raiders offense will likely continue its TD drought.

A glimmer of hope for victory despite its feckless offense came with 4:38 left in the game on a special teams play that saw WR / KR Johnnie Lee Higgins sprint 93 yds for the go ahead TD.

The defense stiffened as the game went on and had a good showing against Miami’s "wild cat" offensive package, but late in the game they could not make a critical stop on 4^th and 5. The Dolphins went on to kick a field goal that put them ahead to stay with :43 seconds left in the game.

With reports from IBA that former Giants coach Jim Fassel has been in contact with Al Davis and may actually be interested in coming to the Raiders, Oakland at least has some hope on the horizon and in all likely hood another high draft pick coming their way.

                                                                                                                        WR / KR Ted Ginn

The Raiders will look to stop teams from scoring on them in their opening drives like Miami did to Seattle last week. It has been a problem area for Oakland this year.

Scoring points of their own is another.

No official word on whether QB Jamarcus Russell will start in Miami against the Dolphins, but with last weeks starter Andrew Walter apparently side lined with a sprained ankle, odds are the bone bruise on Russell’s knee means he’s the more likely to start.

No word on whether DE Derrick Burgess will be back from a triceps tear thats seen him miss 5 games this year, but the Raiders could use him against this years 1^st over all draft pick left tackle Jake Long who was co-named Dolphin player of the week in their win against the Seahawks.

If the Raiders defense can play heads up again this week they could wreak havoc on fragile Chad Pennington the Dolphins QB acquired after many years of service with the Jets.

First they’ll have to stop the run.

Despite giving up a 140 yd rusher to the Panthers last week, Oaklands defense has improved and played a solid, aggressive game against Carolina. Two of running back DeAngelo Williams big runs came against Oakland second stringers like recently signed DT William Joseph and back up LB Sam Williams.

Miami's Ricky Williams gained 100 yds last week for the 1^st time since 2005 and though fellow running back Ronnie Brown hasn’t gained more than 60 yds in any one game, he has scored 10 TDs in the last 8 games.

Oakland will need to play solid, disciplined defense against a Dolphin team that likes to score with gimmicks and trickery.

Last week they put points on the board with a flea flicker to WR / KR Ted Ginn Jr. who’s speed could test the Raiders deep if they can’t get penetration consistently.

Even with starting center Jake Grove out, Oakland will need to establish a running game if they want to avoid getting their QB punished. Oaklands terrible Tackles surrendered 3 sacks to the Falcons John Abraham week 9 and 3 more to the Panthers Julius Peppers last week. Coming into Miami, they’ll face off against Joey Porter who leads the League with 12.

                                              Not what they meant when they asked Joey Porter to "join the dolphins."

Veteran John Wade is rumored to start at center for the Raiders, but look for guard / center Chris Morris to see action as well.

Addition by subtraction may see 2^nd year tackle Mario Henderson step in for Kwame Harris who’s blind side protection has been non existent.

The Raiders may have 4^th over all draft pick Darren McFadden back for Sundays match up and they’ll need him, but if he’s not 100% they should probably let him sit. Injured, he’s proven to be more a liability than a plus.

Justin Fargas had a career game against the Dolphins last time they met, rushing for 179 yds, but that was against a Dolphin defense with no middle line backer. Zach Thomas was out and Channing Crowder left the game with an injury early on.

Oakland may have to resort to some form of trickery of their own and that could work with McFadden in the line up, but they should expect some of the same from Miami who has had success this year with a "Wild cat" formation of its own.

The Ravens top ranked defense showed how to defeat it with disciplined gap control, but whether Oakland can attain that this Sunday remains to be seen.