When the Las Vegas Raiders visit Hard Rock Stadium to play the Miami Dolphins, it will be their most difficult test of the season thus far. With 31.7 points per game, the Dolphins have the top scoring offense in the league and have been among the best teams in the NFL this season. Up until now, this game may serve as the best gauge of how genuine the turnaround under interim head coach Antonio Pierce is.
Many elite skill position players for the Dolphins, all of whom are explosive athletes, are part of their offensive line. The fact that wide receiver Jaylen Waddle can still run freely even if wide receiver Tyreek Hill is contained is what makes the Dolphins such a difficult team to stop.
With Hill and Waddle, the Dolphins possess maybe the best wide receiver combination in the NFL. Waddle, who would be the top pass-catching option for multiple teams, has a case to be the best No. 2 receiver in the league. After coming out of Alabama with the sixth overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft, Waddle has played up to his status throughout his three seasons in the league. Waddle has caught 219 catches for 2,893 yards and 17 touchdowns in those three years.
Being the second option in the passing game, Waddle burst out in 2022 and became one of the top wide receivers in the NFL with 75 receptions for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns. When the Dolphins are playing well, his dynamic qualities make them nearly impossible to stop. With his exceptional speed and agility, Waddle outpaces many cornerbacks in his downfield stride, winning his matchups. His explosive speed and elusiveness also allow him to be able to take a short pass to the end zone. He’s one of the league’s hardest covers because of his ability to succeed at all three levels.
Both of these Dolphins wide receivers have the ability to take over a game, so the Raiders secondary needs to be at the top of their game on Sunday. The Raiders must devise a suitable game plan for Waddle and this Dolphins offense if they hope to stay in the AFC playoff race. When the Silver and Black play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November 19, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST, they will travel to South Beach.
