The Oakland Raiders will face the Miami Dolphins in less than a couple of hours.

The Raiders have bragging rights from last season but they can’t hang their hats on last year’s victory and think they have the advantage.

This year’s game has a 10:00 am PDT start time, as opposed to the 6:30 pm PDT start from last year. This year the starting temperature is estimated to be in the 80s with the “real feel” temperature being in the low 90s and in the high 90s before game end, as this game is in September, whereas last year the game was in November.

Miami has had back to back wins, with a top 10 ranked rushing defense. Though their passing defense is ranked far lower, they still have garnered five interceptions.

The Raiders defense tired out in the second half against Denver in the heat and high altitude, and I have no doubt Miami will have the Raiders in their home color black jersey to try a repeat of the defensive slowdown.

What the Raiders cannot do defensively is have the silly errors they had last game. Bruce Irvin mouthed off to an official and drew a 15 yard penalty after the defense had stopped the opposing offense on third down inside the red zone. He completely whiffed on a tackle he should have made that allowed a key first down. Both errors were costly. As the defensive leader, he needs to keep his head in the game.

The Raiders have been outscored 43-7 in the second half of the previous two games. I put that on Jon Gruden not making adjustments. He can talk about lack of a pass rush all he wants, but the reality is that opposing offenses have exploited the defense in the second half. That’s all about adjustments.

Today’s game will depend on the coaching staff learning from its mistakes, Irvin learning from his, and the offense clicking on all cylinders, converting 3rd downs, and not settling for field goals. They need touchdowns. This might require Derek Carr to do what he does best all game, rather than slow down in the second half. There can not be an assumption that the defense can protect ANY lead, no matter how big.

Experts are all over the place on who will win, but I believe odds makers have the Raiders getting this game.

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