Dolphins vs. Raiders: Who has the edge?

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (6-3) and Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 11 game at Hard Rock Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):

When the Dolphins run: This game could mark the return of rookie phenom De’Von Achane, as he’s back practicing following his minimum four-week absence from injured reserve placement, plus a bye week for extra recovery. If he’s back, look out, as the speedy home run threat is averaging 12.1 yards on his 38 carries.

If Achane isn’t in the backfield, the Dolphins still have Raheem Mostert to shoulder the workload, with Jeff Wilson Jr. and Salvon Ahmed sprinkled in, although it was peculiar that Ahmed play more snaps than Wilson in Miami’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany. The Miami offensive line, though, could be without multiple starting guards. Isaiah Wynn is still on injured reserve, and Robert Hunt and Robert Jones are working back from hamstring and knee injuries, respectively. It could mean Lester Cotton and Liam Eichenberg are leaned on at the two guard positions, although the recent returns of left tackle Terron Armstead and center Connor Williams to the lineup provide a boost.

The Raiders are not doing a good job against the run, ranking 29th in rushing defense. They’ve been a little better since Antonio Pierce took over as interim coach for the fired Josh McDaniels, but they still surrendered triple-digit rushing yards in wins over the New York Giants and Jets the past two weeks. Edge: Dolphins

When the Raiders run: Expect a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs. Coming off a 2022 season where he led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards, the Las Vegas tailback tops the league with 186 carries. He just had 27 totes against the Jets last Sunday night. Now, that doesn’t mean they’re all successful rushing attempts. Jacobs is also averaging a pedestrian 3.3 yards per carry behind an offensive line that doesn’t get much of a push or create holes in the run game. As a team, the Raiders are 30th in rushing offense.

The Dolphins are 13th in run defense in a figure that’s still inflated by the 233-yard rushing outburst they allowed to the Los Angeles Chargers in the opener. It’s a tremendous outlier as, since, the most yards they’ve surrendered on the ground is 108. David Long Jr. continues to come into his own as an inside linebacker next to Jerome Baker. The Christian Wilkins-Zach Sieler defensive tackle duo is stout, and versatile safeties Jevon Holland and DeShon Elliott are sound in run support, minimizing long runs. Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is primed for a bounce-back game after throwing for a season-low 193 yards and getting a bye week to mull it over — all while braiding his hair over the idle week. While getting the ball out quicker than most quarterbacks, it essentially comes down to managing opposing pressure. Tagovailoa has been kept clean in all of Miami’s wins, but he has been sacked three or four times in their three losses, including nine quarterback hits at Buffalo.

The Raiders can get after the quarterback behind All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby, so that responsibility will land on right tackle Austin Jackson to contain him and his 9 1/2 sacks this season. Aside from Crosby, though, the Dolphins’ offensive line, even while shuffling at guard, should be able to handle Las Vegas’ pass rush.