Dolphins–Raiders rivalry

The Dolphins–Raiders rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders.^[1]

Dolphins–Raiders rivalry

Miami Dolphins Las Vegas Raiders
First meeting	September 2, 1966 Raiders 23, Dolphins 14
Latest meeting	November 19, 2023 Dolphins 20, Raiders 13
Next meeting	November 17, 2024
Statistics
Meetings total	42
All-time series	Raiders, 21–20–1
Regular season series	Dolphins, 19–18–1
Postseason results	Raiders, 3–1 Most recent January 6, 2001 Raiders 27, Dolphins 0
Largest victory	Raiders, 27–0 (2000)
Longest win streak	Raiders, 6 (1979–1986)
Current win streak	Dolphins, 1 (2023–present)
Championship Success
NFL Championships (6) Dolphins (2) – 1972, 1973 Raiders (4) - 1967 (AFL), 1976, 1980, 1983 Super Bowls won: Dolphins (2) - 1972 (VII), 1973 (VIII) Raiders (3) - 1976 (XI), 1980 (XV), 1983 (XVIII)

History

The Raiders were the Dolphins' first opponents during Miami's inaugural 1966 season. In that game, Joe Auer returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, but the Raiders went on to win 23–14.^[2] The Raiders dominated the Dolphins in their first 21 meetings, going 16–4–1 in that span. The two teams would meet three times in the playoffs in the early 1970s.

The first of these meetings came in the 1970 Divisional Round. In that game, Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica sealed the game in the fourth quarter with an 82-yard touchdown pass to Rod Sherman, leading to a 21–14 Raiders victory.^[1] The two teams would not face each other for two seasons, during which Miami became the only NFL team to finish an entire season undefeated during the 1972 season. Miami's winning streak would stretch to 18 games when they faced the Raiders on the road during the 1973 season. This game, which took place at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley due to a scheduling conflict with the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum, saw the Raiders defeat the Dolphins 12–7 behind four field goals from George Blanda.^[3] Miami avenged this defeat, however, defeating the Raiders 27–10 in the AFC Championship Game en route to winning Super Bowl VIII.^[1] In that game, Dolphins running back Larry Csonka ran for 266 yards and three touchdowns.^[4]

The Dolphins entered the 1974 Divisional Round as two-time defending Super Bowl champions, while the Raiders were seeking to return to the AFC Championship Game. In what became known as The Sea of Hands game, Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to a tightly defended Clarence Davis, leading Oakland to a 28–26 victory and ended Miami's quest for a third consecutive title.^[1][5]

Though the Dolphins and Raiders would not meet in the postseason for the next 26 years, there were some notable moments that took place in between. In Week 2 of the 1975 season, Miami's 27-game home winning streak was snapped by the Raiders in a 31–21 defeat.^[4] Then in Week 3 of the 1983 season Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino made his NFL debut against the newly relocated Los Angeles Raiders, throwing his first touchdown passes in a 27–14 loss.^[4][6] In Week 14 of the 1984 season, Marino threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns, but Raiders running back Marcus Allen ran for 155 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter, in the Raiders' 45–34 victory.^[1]

After the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995, the two teams resumed their playoff rivalry in the 2000 Divisional Round. However, this game ended rather quickly as the Raiders scored 20 first-half points and blanked the Dolphins in a 27–0 shutout.^[1] The loss was only one of five Miami would suffer since 1992, as they won 15 games to close the gap in the series. One of those wins took place at Wembley Stadium in London during the 2014 season, with Miami taking a 38–14 decision.^[1] The Dolphins also defeated the now-Las Vegas Raiders 26–25 at Allegiant Stadium in Week 16 of the 2020 season, ending the Raiders' playoff hopes.^[7]

Following the 2021 season, the Dolphins and Raiders each made the biggest blockbuster trades of the 2022 offseason by trading for Pro Bowl wide receivers; the Raiders traded for Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams on March 17, 2022, and just a week later, the Dolphins traded for Kansas City Chiefs star receiver Tyreek Hill.^[8][9] Also notable is the fact both teams have quarterback–wide receiver duos who had previously played together in college, with the Dolphins having Alabama alums Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, and the Raiders with Fresno State alums Derek Carr and Davante Adams.

Game results

Miami Dolphins vs. Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders season-by-season results
1960s (Raiders, 5–0–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1966 Raiders 23–14 Orange Bowl Raiders 1–0 Dolphins' inaugural season. First meeting at Orange Bowl. Raiders 21–10 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 2–0 First meeting at Oakland Coliseum 1967 Raiders 31–17 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 3–0 Raiders win 1967 AFL Championship, lose Super Bowl II. 1968 Raiders 47–21 Orange Bowl Raiders 4–0 Raiders lose 1968 AFL Championship. Last game for John Rauch as Raiders head coach. 1969 Raiders 20–17 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 5–0 First game in series for John Madden as Raiders head coach. Tie 20–20 Orange Bowl Raiders 5–0–1 Raiders lose 1969 AFL Championship. Last game in series for George Wilson as Dolphins head coach.
1970s (Raiders, 5–3) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1970 Dolphins 20–13 Orange Bowl Raiders 5–1–1 1970 playoffs Raiders 21–14 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 6–1–1 AFC Divisional Round. First postseason game for the Miami Dolphins 1973 Raiders 12–7 California Memorial Stadium Raiders 7–1–1 Raiders end the Dolphins' 18-game winning streak, first team to defeat the Dolphins since the 1971 Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI. Game moved from Oakland Coliseum due to a scheduling conflict with the Oakland Athletics. 1973 playoffs Dolphins 27–10 Orange Bowl Raiders 7–2–1 AFC Championship Game. Dolphins win Super Bowl VIII. 1974 playoffs Raiders 28–26 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 8–2–1 AFC Divisional Round. Also known as The Sea of Hands game, where Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler converted a game-winning eight-yard touchdown pass to Clarence Davis amid three Dolphin defenders. 1975 Raiders 31–21 Orange Bowl Raiders 9–2–1 This marked the first home defeat for the Dolphins since late in the 1971 season. 1978 Dolphins 23–6 Orange Bowl Raiders 9–3–1 Last game in the series for John Madden as Raiders head coach. 1979 Raiders 13–3 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 10–3–1 First game in series for Tom Flores as Raiders head coach. Last game in series for both Ken Stabler and Bob Griese.
1980s (Raiders, 5–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1980 Raiders 16–10 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 11–3–1 Final meeting in Oakland until 1996. Raiders win Super Bowl XV. 1981 Raiders 33–17 Orange Bowl Raiders 12–3–1 Final meeting between the Dolphins and the Oakland Raiders until 1996. 1983 Raiders 27–14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Raiders 13–3–1 First meeting in Los Angeles. Dan Marino's first NFL game. Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII. 1984 Raiders 45–34 Orange Bowl Raiders 14–3–1 Dolphins lose Super Bowl XIX. 1986 Raiders 30–28 Orange Bowl Raiders 15–3–1 Final meeting at Orange Bowl. Last game in series for Tom Flores as Raiders head coach. 1988 Dolphins 24–14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Raiders 15–4–1 Dolphins' first road victory over the Raiders. Final meeting in Los Angeles. Only meeting in series for Mike Shanahan as Raiders head coach.
1990s (Dolphins, 5–2) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1990 Raiders 13–10 Joe Robbie Stadium Raiders 16–4–1 First meeting at Joe Robbie Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium). First meeting in series for Art Shell as Raiders head coach. 1992 Dolphins 20–7 Joe Robbie Stadium Raiders 16–5–1 1994 Dolphins 20–17(OT) Joe Robbie Stadium Raiders 16–6–1 Last meeting in series for Don Shula as Dolphins head coach and Art Shell as Raiders head coach. 1996 Raiders 17–7 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 17–6–1 First meeting in Oakland since 1980. First meeting in series for Jimmy Johnson as Dolphins head coach. Only meeting in series for Mike White as Raiders head coach. 1997 Dolphins 34–16 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 17–7–1 Dolphins' first victory in Oakland. Only meeting in series for Joe Bugel as Raiders head coach. 1998 Dolphins 27–17 Network Associates Coliseum Raiders 17–8–1 First meeting in series for Jon Gruden as Raiders head coach. Final start in series for Dan Marino as Dolphins quarterback. 1999 Dolphins 16–9 Network Associates Coliseum Raiders 17–9–1 Final meeting in series for head coach Jimmy Johnson.
2000s (Dolphins, 4–2) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2000 playoffs Raiders 27–0 Network Associates Coliseum Raiders 18–9–1 AFC Divisional Round. First meeting in series for Dave Wannstedt as Dolphins head coach. 2001 Dolphins 18–15 Pro Player Stadium Raiders 18–10–1 Last meeting in series for Jon Gruden during his first stint as Raiders head coach. 2002 Dolphins 23–17 Pro Player Stadium Raiders 18–11–1 Raiders lose Super Bowl XXXVII. Only meeting in series for Bill Callahan as Raiders head coach. 2005 Dolphins 33–21 McAfee Coliseum Raiders 18–12–1 Only meeting in series for both Nick Saban as Dolphins head coach and Norv Turner as Raiders head coach. 2007 Raiders 35–17 Dolphin Stadium Raiders 19–12–1 Only meeting in series for both Lane Kiffin as Raiders head coach and Cam Cameron as Dolphins head coach. 2008 Dolphins 17–15 Dolphin Stadium Raiders 19–13–1 First meeting in series for both Tony Sparano as Dolphins head coach and Tom Cable as Raiders head coach.
2010s (Dolphins, 5–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2010 Dolphins 33–17 Oakland Coliseum Raiders 19–14–1 Final meeting in Oakland. Final meeting in series for Tom Cable as Raiders head coach. 2011 Dolphins 34–14 Sun Life Stadium Raiders 19–15–1 Only meeting for Hue Jackson as Raiders head coach. Final meeting in series for Tony Sparano as Dolphins head coach. 2012 Dolphins 35–13 Sun Life Stadium Raiders 19–16–1 First meeting in series for both Joe Philbin as Dolphins head coach and Dennis Allen as Raiders head coach. 2014 Dolphins 38–14 Wembley Stadium Raiders 19–17–1 NFL International Series played in London. Officially a Raiders home game. Last game in series for both Dennis Allen as Raiders head coach a and Joe Philbin as Dolphins head coach 2017 Raiders 27–24 Hard Rock Stadium Raiders 20–17–1 Only meeting in series for Jack Del Rio as Raiders head coach. First meeting in series for Adam Gase for Dolphins head coach. 2018 Dolphins 28–20 Hard Rock Stadium Raiders 20–18–1 First meeting in series for Jon Gruden in his second stint as Raiders head coach. Last meeting in series for Adam Gase as Dolphins head coach.
2020s (Dolphins, 2–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2020 Dolphins 26–25 Allegiant Stadium Raiders 20–19–1 First meeting in Las Vegas. First meeting in series for Brian Flores as Dolphins head coach. 2021 Raiders 31–28(OT) Allegiant Stadium Raiders 21–19–1 Last meeting in series for both Jon Gruden as Raiders head coach and Brian Flores as Dolphins head coach. 2023 Dolphins 20–13 Hard Rock Stadium Raiders 21–20–1
Summary of results Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders Notes Regular season Dolphins 19–18–1 Dolphins 11–9–1 Raiders 9–8 Postseason Raiders 3–1 Dolphins 1–0 Raiders 3–0 AFC Divisional Round: 1970, 1974, 2000. AFC Championship Game: 1973. Regular and postseason Raiders 21–20–1 Dolphins 12–9–1 Raiders 12–8

Footnotes

• ^a Allen was fired after this game; with former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano serving as interim head coach

Connections between the teams

Coaches/executives

Name	Dolphins' tenure	Raiders' tenure
Reggie McKenzie	2019–present, Senior personnel executive	2012–2018, General manager
Bob Sanders	2001–2004, Linebackers coach	2013–2014, Linebackers coach
Tony Sparano	2008–2011, Head coach	2014, Assistant head coach and offensive line coach 2014, Interim head coach
Norv Turner	2002–2003, Offensive coordinator	2004–2005, Head coach

Players

Name	Position(s)	Dolphins' tenure	Raiders' tenure
Damon Arnette	Cornerback	2021*	2020–2021
Kenyan Drake	Running back	2016–2019	2021–2022
Mack Hollins	Wide receiver	2019–2021	2022–2023
Alec Ingold	Fullback	2022–present	2019–2021
Christian Wilkins	Defensive tackle	2019-2023	2024–present

*Offseason and/or practice squad member only

See also

• National Football League rivalries

References

1. Jerry Knaak. "Raiders And Dolphins Set To Renew Classic Rivalry". Las Vegas Raiders. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
2. "Raiders rip Miami, 23-14, in AFL debut". Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. September 3, 1966. p. 10. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
3. Jerry McDonald (December 21, 2018). "Home, sweet home? Charting the Raiders' home stadiums". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
4. Steve Svekis (November 28, 2011). "Dolphins-Raiders stakes claim as NFL's greatest out-of-division rivalry". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
5. Bryan DeArdo (September 18, 2021). "Seven 1970s rivalries that made the NFL 'super': Steelers-Raiders takes top spot". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
6. Kyle Munzenrieder. "Dan Marino Made His Dolphins Debut 30 Years Ago Today". Miami New Times. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
7. Jerry McDonald (December 27, 2020). "Raiders blow win against Miami in the final 19 seconds". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
8. "Green Bay Packers trade Davante Adams to Las Vegas Raiders". ESPN. March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
9. "Miami Dolphins acquire Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill for five draft picks, give him four-year, $120 million deal". ESPN. March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.