Miami Dolphins: What the Fins Must Do to Beat the Raiders in Week 2

The Miami Dolphins had a painful start to the season in Week 1 against the Texans. A 30-10 beat-down featured a poor performance from both the Miami offense and defense, and started the season off on a relatively somber note.

However, in Week 2, the Dolphins return to South Beach for a matchup against the Oakland Raiders (0-1). The Raiders were defeated 22-14 against the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football, a game that featured many special teams errors.

So when the two AFC squads meet in Week 2, both teams hope to put their season openers behind them and look towards a successful season.

The Dolphins enter this matchup, as they will many times this season, as the underdog according to the experts. But, this Miami squad is fully capable of earning its first win of the season.

In the first game of the season, the passing game of the Raiders was sub-par. Considering that the secondary is the weakest part of the Dolphins defense, the Miami team is actually relatively solid at stopping the run.

Against the Texans, the Dolphins limited the formidable tandem of Arian Foster and Ben Tate to under 100 yards, an average of less than three yards a carry.

The Dolphins must limit Darren McFadden, who will serve as the focal point of the Raiders offense. If they can do that and keep an eye on him in the passing game, they will be in prime position to win this football game.

Offensively, Miami will have to be much more effective in the passing game in this matchup. Oakland absolutely destroyed a weakened San Diego running game in the opener, so Reggie Bush will have to rise to the occasion against a tough defense.

But Ryan Tannehill must be much more poised in the pocket and be comfortable with the short pass (but definitely get it over the defensive line). If he shows the promise that he did in the preseason, then Miami could actually run away with its first win of the season.

Week 2 will definitely be a tough hurdle to surmount, but the Miami Dolphins can make it happen.