The Dolphins vs Raiders matchup ended with the Las Vegas Raiders earning a convincing 27-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the opening game of the 2026 regular season. The raiders vs dolphins contest featured strong performances from quarterback Kirk Cousins, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and several young Miami players.
The defeat leaves the Miami Dolphins at 0-1, while the Las Vegas Raiders begin the season 1-0.
Raiders Control the Game Early
The raiders game got off to a fast start as Las Vegas opened with a 16-play, 93-yard scoring drive. Kirk Cousins directed the possession before finding Jack Bech for a touchdown, giving the Raiders a 7-0 advantage.
Ashton Jeanty also played an important role early, rushing five times for 25 yards on the opening drive. After Miami’s defense forced a stop on the next possession, Las Vegas added a field goal to make the Raiders score 10-0.
Miami finally responded when quarterback Malik Willis helped move the offense downfield. De’Von Achane contributed on the ground, while rookie receiver Caleb Douglas made a 25-yard catch that put the Dolphins in scoring range. Riley Patterson converted a 41-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 10-3.
Kirk Cousins Connects With Ashton Jeanty
The biggest difference in the Dolphins – Raiders matchup was Las Vegas’ ability to produce explosive scoring plays.
Cousins connected with Jeanty for a touchdown, pushing the raiders score to 17-3. Miami answered with another Patterson field goal before halftime, leaving the raiders vs dolphins score at 17-6 at the break.
Cousins’ experience proved valuable throughout the game as the Raiders consistently found ways to maintain their advantage.
Dolphins Rally Behind Malik Willis
The dolphins game changed momentum early in the second half.
Rookie safety Michael Taaffe intercepted Cousins and returned the ball to the Miami 48-yard line. Malik Willis immediately took advantage of the favorable field position, connecting with rookie Chris Bell for 25 yards before finding Caleb Douglas for another 13-yard gain.
Willis then delivered the Dolphins’ biggest play of the drive himself. The Dolphins QB scrambled 14 yards for a touchdown, bringing Miami within 17-13.
For a brief period, the Dolphins appeared capable of completing the comeback.
Raiders Answer With Another Touchdown
Las Vegas quickly restored control.
After a 50-yard kickoff return, Cousins again connected with Jeanty for a touchdown. The score moved the raiders score to 24-13 and stopped Miami’s comeback attempt.
The Raiders defense then made several important stops. Miami’s defense also produced big plays, including a Dante Trader Jr. interception, but the Dolphins offense could not turn its opportunities into enough points.
Las Vegas added another field goal to finish the game with a 27-13 victory.
Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders Match Player Stats
The Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders match player stats highlighted several impressive individual performances.
Malik Willis finished the game 15-of-27 passing for 220 yards. The Dolphins QB also rushed five times for 39 yards and scored a touchdown.
Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas was one of Miami’s brightest players. He finished with five receptions for 94 yards, setting a franchise record for receiving yards in a Dolphins debut.
De’Von Achane carried the ball 11 times for 36 yards, while linebacker Jacob Rodriguez led Miami with 14 total tackles.
For the Las Vegas Raiders, Kirk Cousins played a major role in the win, repeatedly finding Ashton Jeanty in critical situations. Jeanty’s rushing and receiving contributions helped the Raiders maintain their lead.
The Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins match player stats also included notable defensive performances from both teams, with Miami rookies making an impact despite the loss.
Dolphins Game Today: What Comes Next?
Following the loss, the Dolphins schedule moves to another difficult road matchup. Miami will remain on the West Coast for Week 2 and face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, September 20, at Levi’s Stadium.
That game will be important for the Miami Dolphins schedule, as the team looks to avoid starting the season 0-2.
Miami will need its offense to become more consistent, while the defense will look to build on the positive moments shown against Las Vegas.
Raiders Schedule 2026
The victory gives the Raiders an early boost as they begin their 2026 campaign at 1-0. The Raiders schedule 2026 will now come under greater attention after the strong season-opening performance.
With Kirk Cousins leading the offense and Ashton Jeanty providing another dynamic option, Las Vegas has reasons for optimism following the raider game.
Where to Watch Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders
For fans searching where to watch Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders, the matchup was played as part of the NFL’s opening-week schedule. Viewers looking for the next Dolphins game today, Miami Dolphins game today, or Raiders game today should check their local NFL broadcast listings and official team schedules for the latest information.
Fans searching where to watch Raiders game or asking where can I watch the Raiders game can also use official NFL broadcast information for upcoming games.
Dolphins Head Coach and Offensive Direction
The loss will also put attention on the Dolphins’ coaching and offensive direction. Klint Kubiak is among the key names associated with Miami’s offensive approach, while the team’s young players showed encouraging signs despite the result.
The performance of Malik Willis, Caleb Douglas and other rookies gives Miami several positives to build on.
Online discussions, including Reddit NFL communities, are likely to focus on Miami’s quarterback situation, the team’s offensive execution and whether the Dolphins can bounce back quickly.
Final Takeaway
The Dolphins vs Raiders opener belonged to Las Vegas. The Raiders used a balanced offensive attack and timely plays from Kirk Cousins and Ashton Jeanty to defeat the Miami Dolphins 27-13.
Miami showed fight after falling behind 17-3, but the raiders dolphins matchup ultimately exposed the gap between the two teams on this night.
The Dolphins now turn their attention to San Francisco, while the Raiders can build momentum from an impressive opening-week victory.
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