3 Takeaways from Raiders' Week 11 Loss vs. Dolphins

The Las Vegas Raiders made a valiant comeback attempt against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday but fell excruciatingly short.

The Raiders took over with just under two minutes in regulation and down a touchdown. Aidan O'Connell quickly marched the offense to the Miami 39-yard line, where the Raiders had 1st-and-10 with more than 30 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately, Jalen Ramsey made a terrific diving interception on a pass intended for Tre Tucker to seal it for Miami. While it's always tough to come up just a play or two shy, the now 7-3 Dolphins are a good measuring stick, and the Raiders measured up pretty well.

Here's what else we learned during the Raiders' Week 11 loss to the Dolphins.

Aidan O' Connell Must Rein in the Mistakes

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Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell

Ramsey's last-minute pick came on O'Connell's third interception of the day. His first led to a Dolphins field goal and his second also came in Miami territory and in the fourth quarter. All three proved pivotal in a game that Las Vegas easily could have won.

The Raiders defense did its job, anyway. The high-flying Dolphins did rack up 422 yards but were held to 20 points and a conversion rate of 3-of-12 on third or fourth down.

"I'm learning how hard the NFL is and how hard it is to win," O'Connell told reporters after the game. "...it starts with me."

O'Connell can use Sunday's game as a learning experience and perhaps figure out when not to let balls fly moving forward.

The rookie has now thrown six interceptions in five games but has shown a ton of promise in other areas. He's pushed the ball downfield and has formed a solid connection with Davante Adams, who had seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. If he can limit the poor decisions and the turnovers, he very well could become a long-term piece of Las Vegas' quarterback plan.

It's Good to See Tre Tucker Getting Involved

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Jalen Ramsey picks off a pass intended for Tre Tucker

While O'Connell's last pass to Tucker led to Ramsey's game-ending pick, it's been good to see the rookie receiver involved in the game plan. When Josh McDaniels was still running the offense, the Cincinnati product made only sporadic appearances.

Before Week 9, Tucker had just seven targets and four receptions to go with four carries. Over the last three games, the 22-year-old has seen three carries, 10 targets and four receptions—including a rush and two catches for 36 yards on Sunday.

Tucker, the speedy and shifty third-round pick out of Cincinnati, was widely expected to be Las Vegas' future replacement for Hunter Renfrow in the slot. Renfrow is still with the team—he had five catches for 42 yards against Miami—but he is a potential 2024 cap casualty.

It would be great to see a little more consistency from Tucker, whose two Week 11 receptions came on seven targets. However, it's good to see that interim coach Antonio Pierce is at least getting Tucker involved.

Obviously, the Raiders are very much interested in winning now, but they also have to develop players like Tucker for the future.

The Antonio Pierce Effect Is Real

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Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce

The Raiders won their first two games with Pierce as the interim head coach. That wasn't coincidence or merely the product of Las Vegas playing inconsistent teams in the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

Las Vegas has looked and played like a different and more driven team under Pierce.

"How can you not feel that energy," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on NFL Gameday. "Certainly, that is something that Raider Nation, and specifically, owner Mark Davis, has noticed."

Miami represented the first playoff-caliber opponent that the Raiders have faced since Pierce took over. While Las Vegas didn't get the win, it did put up a strong fight and show that it might not get embarrassed if it sneaks into the postseason.

The Dolphins are talented, especially offensively, and playing in Miami can be difficult for a West Coast team like Las Vegas. Pierce has done an incredible job of making the Raiders a tough out, and his efforts are going to get him real consideration for the full-time head-coaching job in the offseason.