Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE
We are moments away from the 2012 home opener for the Miami Dolphins as the Oakland Raiders travel to Florida.
Defensive end Cameron Wake is 2 sacks away from becoming the 7th Dolphins to record 30 sacks wearing aqua and orange. 4 more to climb into the franchises top 5 all-time (Joey Porter 32…Doug Betters 43.5…Trace Armstrong 56.5…Jeff Cross 59.5…and #1 is Jason Taylor at 124).
Raiders are 12-24 when playing east-coast games starting at 1pm ET.
In 2011 Reggie Bush went for 100 yards on 22 carries (4.5 yards per carry) plus a TD.
The last time Miami won a home opener was 2005 (vs Denver Broncos…Gus Frerotte had 2 TDs…Chris Chambers broke off a 61-yard end-around…Sammy Morris scored a rushing TD…Wes Welker had 4 catches for 60 yards…Taylor recorded 1 of his 124 ‘Phins sacks).
USC Trojans are well represented in this game with Bush, Carson Palmer, and Matt Leinart.
Oakland has a 16-14-1 advantage in the series all-time (Miami has won last 3 by combined score of 94-46).
Miami is 3-0 vs Oakland in Davone Bess era. Bess has totaled 13 catches for 208 yards in those games. His career average is 10 yards per catch, but vs Oakland he averages 16 yards per catch.
Palmer is 3-2 as the Raiders QB on the road (including a loss at Miami in 2011).
Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain has more tackles against Miami than he does against any other non-division foe.
Miami is the 3rd most successful NFL franchise ever, Raiders are 4th (Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers #1,2)
Veteran Richard Seymour has 5 sacks in 17 career tilts vs the ‘Phins.
In NFL history the Raiders are the 5th best franchise for road wins (Miami is #1 all-time)
Alex Parsons became the 6th different starting center in 6 years for Oakland.
Most important stat is wins, and I anticipate a Dolphins victory today.
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