Tan cerca, pero al mismo tiempo tan lejos. Los Raiders tuvieron la ventaja en un par de ocasiones ante los Delfines, pero al no anotar puntos en la segunda mitad mantuvieron un juego cerrado y competitivo que a final de cuentas terminaron perdiendo 20 a 13.
"De eso hablamos todos los días: Orgullo y porte, pasión, respeto por el juego, jugarlo de la manera correcta y los muchachos lo hicieron", declaró el entrenador en jefe interino Antonio Pierce. "Jugamos duro. ¿Eso te da la victoria? No, pero te da la oportunidad de ganar partidos, y eso es lo que creo que hicimos. Nos dimos la oportunidad de ganar el partido con menos de un minuto restante y estando en territorio enemigo. No hay victorias morales, le dije a los chicos que mantuvieran la cara en alto. Vamos a ser de la misma manera ganando, perdiendo o empatando. Volveremos a trabajar el martes y nos ocuparemos de ello".
La defensa negro y plata permitió 422 yardas totales, de las cuales 325 fueron por aire. A pesar de ello, la unidad dirigida por el coordinador Patrick Graham limitó el daño de la explosiva ofensiva de Miami a conseguir puntos en solo cuatro de doce series completas que tuvieron, incluyendo el haberles robado el ovoide en cuatro ocasiones por medio de dos balones sueltos, una intercepción y una al detenerlos en cuarta oportunidad.
"Estoy orgulloso de mis compañeros, seguimos luchando", dijo el ala defensiva Maxx Crosby. "De eso es de lo que hablamos todo el tiempo. Lo predicamos: permanecer juntos y jugar el uno para el otro, y eso se ve ahí fuera (en el campo). No importa lo que fuera, no importa en qué situación estuviéramos, nadie pestañeó. Nos mantuvimos unidos, eso es lo que buscas en una defensa, muchachos que se amen, que permanezcan juntos y jueguen el uno para el otro. Creo que vamos en la dirección correcta. Simplemente tenemos que permanecer juntos y seguir mejorando".
Luke Masterson provocó un balón suelto de Tua Tagovailoa que recuperó Marcus Epps en la primera posesión de Miami, con Las Vegas consiguiendo sus primeros puntos del partido con un gol de campo de Daniel Carlson en su serie consecuente. Posteriormente, sobre el final del segundo cuarto Nate Hobbs le quitó el ovoide de sus manos a Julian Hill, con Divine Diablo haciéndose de él para dejar a los Malosos en territorio enemigo. De nueva cuenta fueron limitados a un gol de campo. Mientras que tras interceptar Isaiah Pola Mao a Tagovailoa en la primera jugada de la segunda mitad, los Raiders fueron sacados del campo con un tres y fuera.
"Siento que siempre hay algo positivo que sacar de una derrota", aseguró el esquinero Nate Hobbs. "Por supuesto, no fue una paliza, pero puedes sacar provecho de ello o puedes tomar la derrota como tal. Estamos tomando esto como una lección de lo que podríamos ser, lo que seremos".
La ofensiva negro y plata consiguió sus unicos puntos del partido por medio de un pase anotador de 46 yardas de Davante Adams con un segundo restante en el primer cuarto. Pero en sus siguientes seis series ofensivas no lograron mover las cadenas y esa no es una fórmula ganadora de fútbol americano. El mariscal de campo novato Aidan O'Connell completó 24 pases para 271 yardas y una anotación, pero lanzó tres intercepciones en la segunda mitad que detuvieron oportunidades para que los Raiders hicieran más daño, incluyendo una con 25 segundos restantes en el juego donde buscó a Tre Tucker en las diagonales para potencialmente buscar empatar el marcador o tomar la ventaja.
"Estoy aprendiendo lo difícil que es la NFL y lo difícil que es ganar (en ella)", aseveró O'Connell. "Felicidades a nuestra defensa, jugaron muy bien y nos mantuvieron en el juego. Creo que nos anotaron seis puntos en la segunda mitad y nosotros no anotamos. Nuestra defensa hizo un trabajo increíble manteniéndonos en el juego, pero realmente todo se reduce a nuestra ofensiva y a analizar el video para ser mejores en todos los aspectos y todo comienza conmigo".
Esta fue la sexta ocasión durante la temporada 2023 donde la ofensiva de los Raiders solo consiguió un touchdown en un juego, marcando más de la mitad de la actual campaña donde no se han metido a la zona de anotación en múltiples ocasiones. Aún así, el equipo tiene marca de 5-6 y compitió al tú por tú frente a una ofensiva de élite contra Miami tras hacer lo mismo una semana previa ante una defensa de élite en los Jets.
Los retos de alto calibre siguen para los Malosos, quienes en la semana doce serán anfitriones de los Jefes de Kansas City, reinantes campeones del Super Tazón y líderes de la división oeste en la Conferencia Americana. Este será el primer partido divisional en el Estadio Allegiant este año y el primero de tres juegos consecutivos en casa para Las Vegas. Oportunidades se presentarán donde el ser competitivos es bueno para tener la oportunidad de ganar, pero obtener triunfos será algo aún mejor.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 11 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters (24) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 34-yard field goal during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) and safety Marcus Epps (1) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a 46-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a 46-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates after making a 46-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (90) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37), safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) and cornerback Marcus Peters (24) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) on the bench during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) on the bench during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce on the sidelines during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 47-yard field goal during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) and defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) and linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21), defensive lineman Jerry Tillery Jr. (90) and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (90) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Malik Reed (52) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) and defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
