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The Raiders did not want to score a late touchdown. Dolphins wanted to.
Although a Raiders touchdown would have given the Dolphins more time, the Dolphins would also have to score a touchdown to win or perhaps draw (if Las Vegas had bet two and made it). Taking advantage of the clock and scoring a basket that gave the Raiders a 25-23 lead, Miami had less time, but needed only three points to win.
On Saturday night, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he did not regret trying not to score a touchdown. On Sunday, Dolphins coach Brian Flores confirmed that his team tried to let the Raiders score a touchdown.
Both were arguably wrong in their assessment of the situation. As the MDS noted, defending the end zone is always easier for a defense.
While running back Josh Jacobs did the smart and selfless thing by sitting on the first to end a move that started with 1:50 and Miami out of time, the Raiders should have tried to score a touchdown on the move that started with 1: 05 on the clock. And dolphins should have tried to stop them.
Obviously, the result supports the idea that the Raiders should have tried to make a touchdown, as the field goal opened the door for Miami to win. And the Dolphins’ ability to enter the field goal range with 19 seconds remaining was on the verge of miracle. Still, it is always better to defend the end zone when the opponent catches the ball with about a minute remaining and has no time limit.
It doesn’t take as much effort (or time) to reach the field goal, as the Dolphins proved last night. It takes much more to reach the final zone. Unless Gregg Williams is calling the opposing defense.