Klint Kubiak and the Raiders could hardly have asked for a friendlier opening act than the Dolphins.
Las Vegas is staring down one of the league’s toughest schedules in 2026, but Week 1 gives this new-look group a real chance to breathe before the grind starts. The game comes at home against a Miami team that also has a new head coach, a young roster and the added burden of opening on the road at Allegiant Stadium.
Week 1 always comes with a little chaos. It doesn’t tell the full story of a season. But it still counts in the standings, and for a Raiders team trying to launch a new era the right way, getting on the board early would matter.
On paper, the matchup leans heavily toward Las Vegas. At quarterback, Kirk Cousins looks like the more trustworthy option than Malik Willis, especially with the Raiders’ defense expected to be tougher than Miami’s and Las Vegas still holding the edge in pass-catching talent even without Brock Bowers.
The ground game should also be in play for Kubiak’s offense. Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. give the Raiders a rushing duo that should be able to attack outside zone against a Dolphins edge group that doesn’t defend the run well. Miami’s tackles and linebackers are stronger against the run, but Las Vegas can work around that.
De’Von Achane may be the most gifted back in the game, but Miami’s offense doesn’t offer much else in the skill group. That makes it easier for Rob Leonard and the Raiders to focus their attention and commit to stopping the run. Las Vegas’ run defense, at least on paper, has the cleaner look.
The passing game tilts toward the Raiders too. Their receivers and tight ends are a better unit than Miami’s, and they get to face a Dolphins secondary described as the league’s worst. The Raiders’ own defensive backs are still more projection than proven commodity, but they bring more upside and draw a much easier assignment.
Up front, Las Vegas again appears to hold the edge. Miami’s front seven is led by Jordyn Brooks and Chop Robinson, and Aaron Brewer gives the Dolphins a quality center who can cause problems inside. Even so, Maxx Crosby and the Raiders’ linebackers should create headaches for Miami.
Special teams is the one area where the gap is less clear. Riley Patterson may have the edge over Matt Gay, while A.J.
Cole is better than Bradley Pinion. Even there, though, Miami doesn’t seem to have many places where it can consistently win the matchup.
That becomes even clearer when you look at how the Dolphins have built this roster. CBS notes that Miami has the youngest team in the NFL, with an average age of roughly 25.3 years old, and 14 rookies - the most in the league. Kadyn Proctor, their starting left guard, is only 21 and could be in for a rough first test against a veteran Raiders defensive line.
Miami also has the league’s highest number of undrafted players, with 18. Las Vegas has two, and one of them is a punter. The Dolphins are also the least experienced team in the league, with just 608 combined career starts, the fewest by any opening-day roster since that figure has been tracked in 2000.
And then there’s the financial picture. Miami is carrying $183 million in dead cap hits while only $104 million is allocated to the roster. The teardown was obvious, and the roster construction reflects it.
Put it all together, and this looks like a team built to struggle early. The Raiders should have enough across the board to handle business at home and give the Kubiak era a strong start.
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