The Miami Dolphins consigned the Oakland Raiders to a fourth consecutive defeat at the start of the season this evening courtesy of a 38-14 victory in the opening NFL International Series match at Wembley.
The Raiders took the lead on their opening drive but quickly found themselves on the back foot as Miami went into the halfway stage with a commanding 24-7 advantage.
The Dolphins' dominance continued in the second half as they added a further 14 points to their score, while the Raiders pulled a consolation touchdown back in the fourth quarter.
You can read how it all unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's play-by-play coverage live from Wembley below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the first of three NFL International Series matches this season as the Oakland Raiders take on the Miami Dolphins. They may have been swept aside on the golf course at Gleneagles earlier today, but now the Americans take centre stage inside a packed Wembley Stadium. Let's start with a look at the 'home' side tonight...
It hasn't exactly been the start to the season that the Oakland Raiders would have been hoping for. They went into the 2014 campaign looking for a turnaround year following a long spell of disappointments, but things have begun in ominous fashion. Dennis Allen's side come into this one with a 0-3 record, and it is hard to see them recovering to post a winning record this season, even at such an early stage.
There have been signs of promise, however, most notably in their last outing. Many were expecting the Raiders to be blown away by the Patriots, but that simply wasn't the case as Allen's side pushed their more illustrious opponents all the way. The match ended in defeat, with the Patriots running out 16-9 victors, but the Raiders could well have won it late on and will take a lot of confidence from the performance.
It was their improvement in defence that was the most noticeable factor in the Raiders' performance. They were able to put Tom Brady under lots of pressure, which is something they have not managed in their other two matches in the current campaign. They also impressed on running defence, restricting the Patriots to just 76 rushing yards at an average of 2.2 per carry - a major improvement on their league-worst tally of 400 rushing yards given up in their first two games combined.
The Raiders began the season with a 19-14 loss at the hands of the New York Jets, but in truth that match was not as close as the scoreline may suggest. They were also poor against the Houston Texans - who suffered such a poor campaign themselves in 2013 - falling to a 30-14 defeat. They will be desperate to pick up their first victory of the season as soon as possible, and on paper this one looks like their best chance to do it.
While the defence was much improved against the Patriots, it was the offence that let Dennis Allen and his side down. They managed just 67 rushing yards in that match, turning their offence into a very one dimensional one. With rookie quarterback Derek Carr not exactly setting the league alight with his solid but unspectacular performances, they need more than that, and they will be hoping that the likes of McFadden and Jones-Drew can help with that going forward.
They have taken no chances in the build-up to this one, ensuring that they have the best preparation possible by travelling to England immediately after their match last Sunday. They have been here all week, getting used to the time difference and undergoing their usual training regime in England.
However, their record when travelling east is nothing short of terrible. They are 0-10 in matches against East Coast opposition under Dennis Allen, and this week they have travelled further than ever before for a match. It will be very interesting to see how they adapt under what are very new circumstances.
Meanwhile, here at Wembley we are being treated to a Def Leppard concert before the match, with cheerleaders and fireworks to boot. You can certainly tell that the NFL has come to town - they love a good show!
Anyway, from Leppard to Dolphins, and it hasn't exactly been a great start to the season for Joe Philbin's side either. They were comfortably beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, falling to a 34-15 loss to take their record going into this match to 1-2.
That defeat followed another comprehensive one at the hands of the Bills, once again by 19 points as they were beaten 29-10. The consecutive defeats will certainly worry Philbin, who would have been delighted with how his side started the season. They shocked the Patriots on the opening weekend, easing to a 33-20 victory to kick off their campaign in style.
Even with the two defeats, though, it will come as a relief that the focus is on matters on the pitch this season following the troubles they had in 2013. The bullying scandal involving Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin was one of the biggest stories of last season and took a lot of the focus off the Dolphins' 8-8 record and third-placed finish in the AFC East.
Interestingly, the Dolphins opted to make a late trip to London as Philbin decided to try to keep the schedule as close to a normal away game as possible. They have, therefore, trained in Miami all week and only left for England on Thursday night. They have had less time to get used to the time difference than the Raiders, and it will be interesting to see if that makes a difference tonight.
The Dolphins are the favourites going into this match, but only just. It is an incredibly tough one to call, with Miami seemingly regressing since their opening-day win, while the Raiders only seem to be getting better.
Here come the Miami Dolphins onto the field, and the kindest way to describe their reception is 'mixed'. Many eyes will be on quarterback Ryan Tannehill tonight as his place in the side is under increasing pressure due to poor performances. He could really do with a big display to answer his critics here.
Wembley erupts in a cacophony of noise as the Raiders run out onto the field. This is technically a home game for them, and there are certainly plenty of Raiders fans in attendance here. However, that reception was certainly not completely pro-Raiders, with a number of fans of other clubs also making their voices heard.
Here come the national anthems - first up is the American one, and it is very warmly received inside Wembley. However, it is blown out of the water by the United Kingdom anthem, with almost everyone in attendance joining in. Right, we're just about ready to go here!
Firstly, though, a small tribute is paid to the Raiders' legendary former owner Al Davis. Speaking of legends, Dan Marino is down on the pitch now for the coin toss, which goes the way of Miami.
KICKOFF: Here we go then! The NFL is back at Wembley for the first of three International Series matches this season! The Dolphins get us underway with a kick to the Raiders.
Good, solid start for the Raiders as Derek Carr connects with his first throw down the right touchline.
First down for the Raiders as Carr picks out Holmes, once again down the right touchline. Soon after, though, Carr misses his first of the night and resets on second and 10.
The Raiders are really piling the pressure on here. They are just over two yards short of the endzone on this first drive, and have second down. They really should come away with points here...
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 0-7 Oakland Raiders (Leonhardt)
What a start for the Raiders! They score on the opening drive, with Carr picking out Leonhardt in the endzone with a three-yard pass. That is exactly what Dennis Allen would have wanted from both his side and his quarterback. Very solid start for Carr.
Williams returns the kick 26 yards for the Dolphins as they look to conjure up an immediate response to that Raiders score. A first chance for the under-pressure Ryan Tannehill, then...
Tannehill goes safe with his first throw, picking out Gibson on his left. On the next play, it all opens up for Miller, who bursts through the middle for a 21-yard gain.
The first nervy moment for Tannehill as he is forced to scramble to avoid a sack, throwing the ball out of play. He reverts to the safe option on the next play, picking out Landry, who scuttles down the left for a first down.
Tannehill tries a deep throw down the left to Hartline on third down, but it is incomplete. The Dolphins with have a field goal attempt...
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Miami Dolphins 3-7 Oakland Raiders
The Dolphins at least come away with points on the board as Caleb Sturgis nails his field goal from 41 yards. Hartline was agonisingly close to staying in with that third down attempt, though, so it could have been even better for the Dolphins. The Raiders lead by four!
The Raiders will start again at the 25-yard line following a 20-yard kickoff return from Murray. What can Carr come up with this time?
A six-yard McFadden run is followed on the next play by a short Carr pass to Grimes, who just about scrambles up the touchline for a first down to the Raiders.
Good defence from the Dolphins to prevent the Raiders from getting a first down despite needing just one-yard on the halfway line. They will punt for the first time tonight.
Tannehill begins the Dolphins move with a nice throw down the middle to Landry for an 18-yard gain. They will have another first down here as they look to make their way upfield having started on their own 10-yard line.
Big play from Tannehill as he picks out Hartline for a 35-yard pass to get another first down for his side. The Dolphins are moving down the field fairly confidently here. They are already within scoring range.
Right at the end of the first quarter Tannehill comes up with the goods on third down. Needing five yards to gain a first down, he picks out Wallace on the right for a 16-yard gain and they will now begin the second quarter well within range of the Raiders endzone.
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 10-7 Oakland Raiders (Wallace)
The Dolphins reach the Raiders endzone for the first time this evening as Wallace battles his way over. Tannehill threw a short pass to his wide receiver on the right, who resisted a number of Raiders tackles to just about reach over the white line for the score. the extra point is good, and the Dolphins now have a three-point lead!
Good chase from the Dolphins from kickoff as Murray is stopped on his own 13-yard line. What have the Raiders got in response to that Dolphins touchdown?
Very nervy moment for Carr as Odrick breaks up a pass. That was very nearly a turnover for the Dolphins, but the ball just bounced loose. On the next play, Carr is sacked by Shelby, forcing the Raiders to punt from deep inside their own half.
That really was huge defence from the Dolphins to prevent the Raiders from getting anything whatsoever in response to Wallace's touchdown. The momentum is very much with Miami now, and they have the ball just inside their own half on a first down following the Raiders' punt.
The Dolphins are awarded a five-yard penalty following encroachment from Smith, and on the next play they move into the Raiders half courtesy of a 15-yard throw from Tannehill to Clay.
Another first down for the Dolphins as Thomas drives through for 10 yards. The Raiders are very much on the back foot right now and they are struggling to stop Miami from breaking the first-down line.
Tannehill throws a short pass to Hartline on third down, and it is right on the brink of being a first down. However, after some deliberation, they decide that it is short, meaning that the Dolphins are on fourth down...
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 17-7 Oakland Raiders (Miller)
The Dolphins opt against just going for a field goal, instead handing the ball to Miller. The running back does not let his side down, breaking through to cruise into the endzone down the left and give his side their second touchdown of the night. The extra point is good, giving the Dolphins a 10-point lead!
Well, the Raiders haven't had much to shout about in this quarter so far, but here is a shot of Leonhardt celebrating their earlier touchdown. They could do with another score sooner rather than later to stem the growing Miami momentum here.
© Getty Images
The Raiders just can't get out right now. They are once again prevented from getting a first down following the restart, meaning that they will have to kick the ball straight back to Miami.
FUMBLE! That is exactly what the Raiders needed! On the return from the resulting punt, Landry fumbles the ball, and Leonhardt is the first to react to recover possession for his side. A potentially huge moment in this match as another Dolphins score may have been enough to put the Raiders to bed.
The Raiders are once again forced into a punt, however, as their offence continues to struggle to find a way through this Dolphins defence. Miami will restart on their own 10-yard line.
Tannehill finds Clay for a 17-yard gain and a first down on the first play of the drive, before the quarterback runs himself through the middle for a further eight yards. On the next play Hartline makes it over the first down line to bring the Dolphins up to halfway.
Gibson this time bursts down the left touchline, just about staying in to make it over first down and reach the 35-yard line. Tannehill again chooses to run himself on the next play before moving out of bounds on the 30-yard line for a five-yard gain.
Tannehill runs yet again! He once more makes five yards, but cannot reach the first down on his occasions. Wembley is not quite flat right now, but the Raiders contingent are certainly quieter than they were earlier. Their side are comfortable second best right now, and the Dolphins could be on the verge of a third touchdown here. Time for the two-minute warning!
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 24-7 Oakland Raiders (Sims)
Things go from bad to worse for the Raiders as the Dolphins chalk up their third touchdown score of the half. This one is the best of the lot, though, as Tannehill floats a lovely 18-yard pass over to the right side of the endzone, which Sims is at full stretch to catch. Tannehill is beginning to answer some of his critics tonight as he continues to take this game by the scruff of its neck. As usual, the extra point is good, and Miami have a 24-7 lead!
The Dolphins once again prevent a big kickoff return, and Carr's first throw is off target once more. He started the match fairly well, but Carr is really struggling to find a rhythm right now. The Raiders haven't had possession outside of their own half for a while!
That's more like it! That Raiders get an increasingly rare first down as Carr's short pass finds McFadden, who bursts down the left before being forced out of bounds. On the very next play the Raiders are penalised, however, so it will be first and 20 now.
Absolutely nothing is sticking for the Raiders at the moment. Another Carr pass goes astray on third down, so once again Oakland are forced to punt downfield and gift possession back to the Dolphins.
HALF TIME: Miami Dolphins 24-7 Oakland Raiders
Well, so far so good for the Dolphins. The Raiders started well and took a lead with a touchdown on their first drive, but since then it has been all Miami. They had to settle for a field goal on their own opening drive, but they have made three visits to the endzone and hold a commanding 17-point lead at the halfway stage here at Wembley.
The Raiders simply haven't been able to get any sort of rhythm on offence so far, with the Dolphins defence limiting their first downs straight after kickoff. Carr started the match fairly well with a couple of solid passes and the touchdown, but he has struggled to find his teammates more and more as time has progressed.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ryan Tannehill has enjoyed a good game so far. He has received a lot of criticism so far this season, but has taken this game by the scruff of its neck and is really driving the Dolphins downfield effectively. It hasn't just been his passing either, with Tannehill embarking on a couple of useful runs too.
In truth, it has been a pretty impressive display all round from the Dolphins. They came into this match in really poor form, but all elements of their team have performed well so far, and they deservedly lead. It would take some turnaround for the Raiders to get back into this one.
It will seem like a long time ago now, but the Raiders were once in the lead in this match. Here is a shot of them adding an extra point to their early touchdown...
© Getty Images
The Raiders are first out on the pitch ahead of the second half, no doubt with some angry words from Dennis Allen ringing in their ears. They have been nowhere near good enough so far and deservedly trail by 17 points. That will be so disappointing for Allen after his side's promising performance against the Patriots.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The Raiders get the second half underway by kicking to the Dolphins, who return it to the 27-yard line. Now, can they pick up where they left off in the first half and reapply the pressure on the Raiders?
A little better from the Raiders as they force a third down and 12, helped by a penalty against the Dolphins. However, Tannehill once again gets his side over the first down line with a 14-yard throw to Hartline on the right touchline.
Tannehill takes matters into his own hands yet again as he finds a whole in the defence for an 18-yard run. The next play sees Miller make a further 20 yards as the Dolphins continue to rack up these first downs.
The Dolphins are well within the redzone again here, with second and goal. Tannehill tries to loop a throw over to Clay in the middle of the endzone, but it is incomplete and Miami will reset at third and goal.
FUMBLE! The Dolphins go for the endzone on fourth down as Miller looks to burst through the middle, but he loses the ball on the way and it is recovered by Woodson. Big let-off for the Raiders, who have another chance to build an attack from their own 20 now.
INTERCEPTION! More bad news for the Raiders as Carr's pass intended for Brown is picked off by Grimes, who returns it 32 yards to within three of the Raiders endzone. a fourth touchdown could be nigh for Miami.
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 31-7 Oakland Raiders (Miller)
The Dolphins make Oakland pay for that interception, scoring their fourth touchdown of the night. Miller doubles his own individual tally with a simple one-yard run into the endzone. This is fast becoming a rout, and the Raiders are certainly not helping themselves here at Wembley.
The kickoff goes out of the back of the endzone for a touchback as the Raiders once again reset at their own 20. They have got virtually no joy on offence since that touchdown on their opening drive.
The Raiders have a first down! Carr throws it to McFadden for a gain of five yards, which takes them over that line. They are still well inside their own half, but it is still a minor piece of progress.
Two first downs in a row for the Raiders! Unbelievable scenes. Meanwhile, a Mexican wave is making its way around Wembley Stadium, which had become a little flat due to the Dolphins' dominance of late.
...and I must say that it is one of the finest Mexican waves I have ever seen. Well done, Wembley. Meanwhile, there is a challenge going on right now, which is why play has stopped.
CHALLENGE SUCCESSFUL! The coach's challenge is successful, which takes the Raiders forward for a first down inside the Dolphins half. This is more like it from Oakland!
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 38-7 Oakland Raiders (Finnegan)
Looks like I spoke too soon! The Raiders, having gained the first down with the challenge, make a complete mess of the snap as the ball runs through and away from any black shirt. Finnegan is quick to pounce on it, scooping the ball up on the halfway line before coasting unchallenged into the endzone. Disastrous moment for the Raiders, but it rather sums up their performance so far. Shambolic.
The Dolphins get us back underway once again as they kick back to the Raiders, who surely now have no way back into this match. The gap is now 31 points, and it would take an incredible comeback for them to get back into this one. Derek Carr has also gone down with an ankle injury, and his return is questionable.
INTERCEPTION! Oh my word, another huge error from the Raiders as they once again gift possession back to the Dolphins. McGloin's pass is intercepted this time, and the ball is returned to within 25 yards of the endzone.
The Dolphins cross over into the endzone yet again, but this time there is a stroke of luck for Oakland as the offence is penalised 10 yards. The score will not count, and Miami are now first and 20.
INTERCEPTION! Could the tide be changing here?! Tannehill's pass is not held by Sims, who deflects it into the arms of Carrie. The return is good as he brings it back 28 yards to move Oakland up to halfway.
The Raiders are forced into another punt as this third quarter nears its conclusion. That period of play was certainly a let-off for Oakland, who went from thing they had conceded yet again to getting the ball, but once more they have been unable to make the most of possession. Miami will reset on their own nine-yard line.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Miami Dolphins 38-7 Oakland Raiders
The Raiders hold the Dolphins to third down and six, but Tannehill once again gets his side out of trouble with a pass to Thomas, who completes a 25-yard play down the middle of the field. Far too easy for Miami.
Another first down for the Dolphins as Tannehill finds his target again. It has been an accomplished display from the underfire quarterback so far, and I think we can safely say now that he has guided his side to a second win of the season.
Better from the Raiders on defence there. They bring up the fourth down for the Dolphins, who are right on the edge of range for a field goal. Will they go for it, or settle for a punt here?
A punt it is, and the Raiders have the ball on their own 10-yard line following a catch from Carrie. Can they at last string a meaningful attack together here? We haven't seen one since the opening drive.
Better from the Raiders as Holmes gets a first down and then McFadden catches a short looping pass to make a 16-yard play for a second consecutive first down. Can they keep this up and finally get deep into Miami territory?
McGloin takes it upon himself to get the one yard needed to pick up another first down and reach halfway for Oakland. His next throw is incomplete, however, so the Raiders will reset at second and 10.
The Oakland attack continues as McGloin finds Jones, who weaves away from one tackle to make 29 yards. This is a lot better from the Raiders.
TOUCHDOWN! Miami Dolphins 38-14 Oakland Raiders (Holmes)
The Raiders are finally back on the scoreboard! They have certainly improved in the last few minutes, and that shows here as McGloin loops a 22-yard throw deep into the right side of the endzone, where Holmes is waiting to collect it. The deficit is cut to 24 points, but surely it is still unassailable?
The kickoff reaches the back of the endzone for a touchback, so the Dolphins will start again on their 20.
Darkwa drives up the middle for the Dolphins but fumbles the ball on his way to ground. However, it pops up to a teammate, so Miami will remain in possession.
The Dolphins are forced into a punt on fourth down, and once again Carrie is there waiting for it. He returns it 17 yards to take the Raiders up to their own 38-yard line.
INTERCEPTION! I was just about to say that the Raiders had improved in the last few minutes, but McGloin throws another interception when looking for Ausberry. Aikens is the man to pick it off, and he makes it to the 26-yard line inside Raiders territory.
Interesting from the Dolphins as they choose to run the ball on fourth down with three yards to go. They had a simple field goal there, but opted to go for the touchdown instead, which is great to see. It didn't come off, however, and Oakland now have the ball on their own 20.
TWO MINUTE WARNING: The two minute warning sounds here at Wembley as we edge ever closer to the conclusion of this match. In truth, it has been over as a contest for quite a while, but both sides will want to treat the English crowd to one more score before they head back across the Atlantic.
Wembley is quickly emptying right now as the Raiders fans begin to accept their fate. It has not been a good night for them on the field, but they can't fault the support they have received here in England. More than 83,000 were here to see this match, but unfortunately for the Raiders, they couldn't get the job done.
FULL TIME: Miami Dolphins 38-14 Oakland Raiders
There is the end of the match as the Dolphins see out the comfortable victory to take their season record to 2-2. It was a vastly improved performance from them this evening, and head coach Joe Philbin will be delighted with how his side have responded to two consecutive disappointing defeats. The Raiders, on the other hand, failed to back up their promising display against the Patriots last week and slump to 0-4 for the season. Things don't look good for Dennis Allen's side.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the opening match of the 2014 NFL International Series. It is the Miami Dolphins who will head back to the States smiling having cruised to a 38-14 victory over a really disappointing Oakland Raiders side. Stay tuned for our match report, and stick around for reaction from Wembley too. From me, though, it is goodnight!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
