Miami Dolphins: Raiders will test weakness in Week 3

The Miami Dolphins will get a chance to prove they improved on their biggest weakness of 2017 when they face the Oakland Raiders in Week 3.

The Miami Dolphins suffered an embarrassing loss to the lowly Oakland Raiders last season that they will look to avenge Week 3. However, the Raiders will attack Miami’s biggest weakness from 2017 that they worked so hard to correct this offseason.

Last year, Oakland tight end Jared Cook had the game of his life against Miami, catching eight of nine targets for 126 yards against a Dolphins’ defense that was completely vulnerable to tight ends and pass-catching backs last year. We will learn on Sunday in Week 3 if they’ve remedied this issue.

In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dolphins picked up safety/slot corner Minkah Fitzpatrick in the first round and later added speedy linebacker Jerome Baker in Round 3. These two will be tasked this season with fixing the Phins issues with underneath coverage after Kiko Alonso, among others, proved themselves incapable last season. This will be a direct test being that their is a direct comparison from the previous year.

Look for the Raiders to attack this are of Miami’s defense with Cook and even running back Jalen Richard early and often. I have confidence that the Dolphins’ secondary can overmatch the Oakland wideouts. Amari Cooper is coming off a big game so he’s not do for any success until about Thanksgiving.

The run defense should be able to hold Marshawn Lynch in check as well. With just 106 yards on 29 carries this season, the Miami run defense has looked far more impressive than the 32-year old back has.

I truly believe this comes down to the defense stopping Cook and Richard, a task that most teams accomplish with ease. But it’s easier said than done for this defense, at least it has been in the past. The Dolphins will look to get the job done and not be derailed once again allowing the hopeless Raiders to chalk up their first victory of the season.