Raiders vs Dolphins: 10 Things We Learned from Miami's 34-14 Win

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 34-14 on Sunday afternoon. With this victory, the 'Fins have now won four of their last five games and continue to play spoiler for some playoff hopefuls. 

Miami dominated out of the gate against Oakland, jumping out to a 34-0 lead before the Raiders were finally able to score. Matt Moore, Reggie Bush and the Dolphins offense were firing on all cylinders. Bush toppled 100 yards rushing, Moore completed another game without an interception and even Anthony Fasano and Daniel Thomas excelled.

Perhaps more impressively, Miami's defense completely stifled Oakland's aerial attack and shut down the red-hot Michael Bush. 

The Dolphins now stand at 4-8, and as always, there's plenty of lessons to be learned. 

Matt Moore Is the Real Deal; Should Be Miami's Starter in 2012

When's the last you honestly felt good about Miami's quarterback before a game? When's the last time you knew the Dolphins signal caller would give the team a chance to win?

Most of you are probably channeling memories of Dan Marino—and some of you may even consider Jay Fiedler—but regardless, Matt Moore has definitely earned the faith and trust of his teammates and the fanbase. 

Moore pieced together another modest yet brilliant performance in Miami's win against the Raiders. At the season progresses, he continues to make a case for the starting job in 2012. The Dolphins might draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2012 draft, but Moore clearly deserves a shot to lead this team. 

Vontae Davis Is Back on Track to Stardom

For the third time in Miami's last four games, Vontae Davis registered an interception.

Ever since Tony Sparano benched Davis in Week 9, he has completely revived his game, showing the physicality and nose for the ball that we grew accustomed to over the last two seasons.

Davis also recorded a sack, and his rejuvenation has been instrumental in the Dolphins' recent success. 

Daniel Thomas Needs to Build Momentum off of Sunday's Performance

After five consecutive abhorrent performances, rookie running back Daniel Thomas finally rebounded with a 13-carry, 73-yard performance. 

Thomas displayed the unique blend of power, shiftiness and athleticism that persuaded the 'Fins to draft him last April. 

However, one promising performance doesn't mean that Thomas is off of the hot seat quite yet. Prior to Sunday's game, he was averaging a measly 3.5 yards per carry. If Thomas wants to secure a significant role in Miami's offense, he needs to play like he did on Sunday on a weekly basis. 

Anthony Fasano Is Making a Strong Case to Stick Around

Anthony Fasano has taken plenty of heat for his inability to produce like a No. 1 tight end, but he has developed a nice rapport with Matt Moore, and reeled in four receptions for 66 yards against the Raiders. 

Fasano will be a free agent in 2013, and, until recently, has given little justification for an extension beyond that. However, he has caught four touchdowns since Week 9. 

The Dolphins still need to pursue a seam-threat tight end this offseason, but Fasano's recent success suggests that he should maintain a role in the offense. 

...And so Is Tony Sparano

The odds of Tony Sparano coaching the Dolphins in 2012 are minute. However, it's getting more difficult to disregard Miami's success as fluky. 

Sure, Miami beat up on the lowly Chiefs, Redskins and Bills, but they lost to the NFC East-leading Cowboys by one point and blew out the AFC West-leading Raiders on Sunday. 

The Dolphins players clearly love playing for Sparano, and now that they're winning, he looks very good in the public eye. If the 'Fins finish 8-8 or 7-9, then Stephen Ross will have a very difficult decision to make. 

Kevin Burnett Has Officially Redeemed Himself for His Early-Season Struggles

When the Dolphins signed Kevin Burnett this summer, he figured to bolster the team's linebacker corps by providing a dynamic athlete who could help in pass coverage.

However, Burnett struggled mightily through the first few weeks of the season. He was a huge liability in pass coverage and failed to provide a run-stuffing presence. 

But as Miami's fortunes turned, so did Burnett's.

He has been an absolute monster for the Dolphins over the past few weeks, recording double-digit tackles three times. And on Sunday, he intercepted Carson Palmer and returned it for a touchdown. Not only has Burnett morphed into a solid defender, but he showed some playmaking ability against Oakland as well. 

All of Miami's Wide Receivers Are Finally Connecting with Matt Moore

When Matt Moore inherited the starting quarterback job in Week 4, he focused almost entirely on Brandon Marshall. In Week 6 against the Jets, for example, Moore targeted Marshall 13 times—the next most targeted player was Brian Hartline with six. 

Slowly but surely, Moore has developed rapports with Miami's other receivers. On Sunday, he showed just how much chemistry has evolved. 

Moore targeted three different receivers—Marshall, Fasano and Bess—at least six times, and targeted three others—Bush, Clay and Hartline—twice. 

The 'Fins Might Have to Replace Koa Misi This Offseason

Koa Misi burst onto the scene with 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season. The second-round pick looked like a stud in the making, and he looked like the perfect complement to Cameron Wake. 

This season, however, Misi has been a total ghost. 

He has only 28 tackles on the season and recorded just one tackle against the Raiders on Sunday. Granted, Jason Taylor has cut into Misi's reps this season, but there's no excuse for such drastic regression. Unless Misi plays brilliantly over the next few weeks, the Dolphins will have no choice but to look for another outside linebacker this offseason. 

Reggie Bush Has Proven All of His Critics Wrong

When the Dolphins traded for Reggie Bush this summer, everybody said the same exact thing: He isn't an every-down back. And that criticism actually proved true for much of the season.

But on Sunday, Bush racked up 100 rushing yards for the second time this season. He carried the ball 22 times throughout, showing no hesitation with contact or running between the tackles. 

It seems as though Bush is transforming into a more complete running back, and perhaps he will fulfill his once-infinite potential with the Dolphins. 

If a New G.M. Is Hired, He Will Have a Tough Decision Regarding Nolan and Daboll

Despite Miami's wild success over the second half of the season, GM Jeff Ireland will still likely be fired. He has failed miserably in the draft, and a troubling number of the team's free agent signings have flopped. 

So, a new general manager will likely arrive after the season. The first string of decisions this new GM must make will revolve around the coaching staff. Tony Sparano might be fired, but what about Brian Daboll and Mike Nolan?

The offense and defense have looked dominant since the Dolphins started winning in Week 9, and these coordinators are largely responsible.