WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh scores his first TD in the Silver and Black. AP Photo
The Dolphins won the opening coin toss and deferred their choice to the second half. The Raiders elected to receive the opening kickoff. After K Dan Carpenter's opening kickoff sailed through the end zone for a touchback, the Raiders went three and out and punted the ball to Miami. After Lechler's 44-yard punt and a WR Davone Bess fair catch, Miami started at their own 30.
Carpenter capped an 8-play, 40-yard drive with a 48-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 3-0 lead with 10:11 left in the first quarter.
CB Bryan McCann fielded the ensuing kickoff in the end zone and took a knee for a touchback. The Dolphins held the Raiders to another three and out and Bess returned Lechler's 40-yard punt to the Miami 44. A penalty on Miami during the return backed them up to their 25.
Carpenter's 33-yard FG was good and Miami led 6-0 with 1:30 left 1st quarter, as the kick capped a 12-play, 60-yard drive.
The ensuing kickoff went for a touchback and the Raiders started at their own 20. The Raiders possession was derailed by a third down sack and Lechler punted the ball back to Miami who took over at their own 37 after a 21-yard Bess return.
Miami QB Matt Moore's 12-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess gave the Dolphins a 13-0 lead with 8:24 left in the 2nd quarter and capped a 7-play, 63-yard drive.
McCann took a knee for a touchback on the ensuing kickoff and the Raiders started at their own 20. The drive stalled at midfield and Lechler's punt bounced out of bounds at the Miami 13.
The Raiders forced a Dolphins punt and took over at their own 17. This Raiders drive also stalled at midfield and Lechler's punt was downed at the Miami 9. The Dolphins were content to run out the clock and take a 13-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Clyde Gates returned the opening kickoff of the second half 77 yards to the Raiders 25. Two plays later, RB Reggie Bush cashed in from a yard out to give the Dolphins a 20-0 lead with 13:56 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders managed one first down on their next possession before Miami forced a punt. A penalty during the return backed the Dolphins up to their 9. Miami took a 27-0 lead after Moore's 6-yard TD run.
LB Kevin Burnett then intercepted a tipped pass and raced 44 yards for the score to give the home team a 34-0 lead.
The Raiders got on the board with 7:51 remaining when Palmer connected with WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Miami led 34-7.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's nice one-handed TD grab on a 3-yard pass from Palmer cut Miami's lead to 34-14 with 3:26 to go.
The Raiders fall to 7-5 on the season and head to Green Bay to face the Packers at Lambeau Field next Sunday.
