OFFENSE
Dolphins		Raiders
Jay Fiedler's separated left shoulder might account for his throwing behind receivers last week. But in the fourth quarter drive to tie the game he completed passes to five different receivers. He is still a scrambling threat, gaining 43 yards on seven carries against the Colts' suspect defense.	QB	Pro Bowler Rich Gannon's 60 percent completion rate illustrates his patience in allowing receivers to get open. Gruden and quarterbacks coach Gary Stevens have done a masterful job of reviving his career. He is also second among active QBs in rushing.
Lamar Smith has come out of nowhere to be a force in the NFL. His 209-yard effort on 40 carries against a suspect Colt defense proves he's the power runner the Dolphins have been looking for years. Rob Konrad should be ready to contribute this week. No two games are alike and the opportunity to run the ball 40 times against the Raiders may not present itself. You have to wonder how much last week's effort took out of Smith.	RB	The Raiders lead the league with 154 yards per game rushing but there is some concern about the injuries to lead blocker Jon Ritchie and change of pace back Napolean Kaufman. Tyrone Wheatley is another guy who has had his career revived under Gruden and he should handle the bulk of the work. It will be tough going against the big Dolphin tackles.
The wide receivers are an average group in a very conservative package. Fiedler usually makes the right read and goes to the right guy but the lack of a "go-to guy" hurts the throwing game. O.J. McDuffie dropped third-down passes twice last week but came back and made a one-handed catch with the game on the line. The Raiders will not be afraid to man up this group.	WR / TE	Tim Brown has more than 1,000 yards receiving for the eighth time and his 11 touchdowns leads the team. Andre Rison has a 14.8 yard average and he to can join the revival group who have Gruden to thank. TE Ricky Dudley has played better recently and could be an edge in this game.
Any time a back rushes for more than 200 yards the line did a great job. The Dolphins like to run to their right behind Todd Wade. They also like to pull left guard Mark Dixon to lead at the point of attack. The big question is can Wade hold up as a pass blocker against the Raider outside rushers?	LINE	Pro Bowler LG Steve Wisniewski leads a physical unit that has the rushing game first in the league, and that's more impressive than a 200-yard rusher last week. Much to my surprise big Lincoln Kennedy has blossomed as a power blocker in the Raiders' system. The Dolphins have a great group of outside pass rushers and although they were relatively quiet last week against Indianapolis. This week, the Raiders will have all they can handle.

DEFENSE
Dolphins		Raiders
Pro Bowl DEs Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong combined for 31 1/2 sacks. Tim Bowens and Daryl Gardiner shut down the inside run and don't allow the QB to step up in the pocket.	LINE	The run defense starts with the defensive line and they only allowed 96.6 yards per game. Darryl Russell has underachieved most of the season but he is still a big time force on the inside. Little known Grady Jackson, Roderick Coleman, and Regan Upshaw have combined for 20 sacks and are a big part of the reason the Raiders have knocked a number of starting QBs out of the game this year.
Undersized Zack Thomas leads an athletic, mobile group of backers protected by the massive defensive line. Thomas and Derrick Rogers accounted for 14 tackles against the Colts. The Raiders don't have Edgerrin James in the backfield, so expect them in on at least as many tackles this week.	LB	William Thomas, cut by the Eagles is having a great season. His league leading six interceptions for linebackers is complemented by his five forced fumbles. Greg Biekeret is solid against the run but suspect in pass coverage.
Pro Bowl corner Sam Madison and equally as good Patrick Surtain have combined for 10 interceptions in the Dolphins aggressive coverage schemes. Pro Bowl safety Brock Marion has 80 solo tackles and can cover Kaufman out of the backfield in one of the more interesting match ups.	DB	The Raider corners are almost as good.Eric Allen was December's AFC Defensive Player of the Month with 15 tackles and three of his four interceptions returned for touchdowns. Charles Woodson is a premiere corner. The Raiders' safeties aren't as good as the Dolphins'.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Dolphins		Raiders
Usually reliable Olindo Mare missed three field goals in the past two games. Punter Matt Turk lost his brother to cancer last week but had a solid 46-yard average on three punts. Returner, Jeff Ogden averaged 17 yards per punt return, but don't expect that from him this week.		Rookie first-round draft pick Sebastian Janikowski is 22-for-32 in field goals and 9-of-18 from beyond 40 yards. Many of his problems were early in the season. Punter, Shane Lechler ranks second in the league with a 38-yard net. He has 24 punts inside the 20.

COACHING
Dolphins		Raiders
Dave Wannstedt has to be a solid candidate for coach of the year. He inherited a team that gave up more than 60 points to Jacksonville last year and has turned it around this year. Dave built this team on defense and he must win with defense. He threw some wrinkles into last week's offense scheme by throwing on first downs and twice attempting forth-down conversions.		After late-season disappointments in Jon Gruden's first two years, the Raiders are poised to go deep into the playoffs. The team has taken on Jon's personality.