The Raiders’ first game of the 2026 season gave an early look at what this new version of Las Vegas might be. With a reshaped roster and a revamped coaching staff, there were plenty of question marks coming into the home opener against the Miami Dolphins. By the end of Sunday, the Raiders had answers in the one place that matters most: the scoreboard.
It started with a statement drive. After the defense opened by forcing a three-and-out, Kirk Cousins took over and marched Las Vegas 93 yards in 16 plays, burning nearly nine minutes off the clock for a touchdown.
That opening series set the rhythm for the day, and it was the clearest sign that if the Raiders can keep Cousins upright and keep leaning into the play-calling they showed against Miami, they’ll be in the mix in just about every game. Cousins did throw two interceptions, but the overall performance still pointed in the right direction.
The offense also got a strong contribution from the run game, even with Ashton Jeanty working his way back after a leg injury that popped up shortly before the regular season. The Raiders didn’t ease him in slowly. They used him right away, and he delivered 25 rushing yards on the opening drive while finishing at five yards per carry.
Las Vegas also got a key early moment from Connor Heyward. Fullbacks usually only get noticed when something goes wrong, but Heyward made one of the biggest plays of the game by converting a crucial fourth-and-one in the first quarter.
The passing game was spread out the way the Raiders intended. They planned to attack by committee at receiver, and that’s exactly how Sunday unfolded, with targets and yards distributed across the pass-catching group, including the tight ends and running backs. Without a true No. 1 receiver, the Raiders still made themselves hard to pin down.
That was especially notable up front. The offensive line, which allowed the most sacks in the league last season, gave up none against Miami through three quarters. That kind of clean protection helped the Raiders stay balanced and stay on schedule.
Even without Brock Bowers, Las Vegas still leaned on the tight end spot early. Michael Mayer stepped into a bigger role and led the Raiders in receiving and targets before halftime.
On defense, the front did the heavy lifting exactly the way Las Vegas needed it to. The Raiders have questions in the secondary, but the plan was always to let the defensive line carry more of the load.
Against Miami, that approach worked. The front shut down the run, forced the Dolphins to become a passing team, and kept Malik Willis under pressure throughout the game.
By halftime, Miami’s offense had only passing yards and rushing yards because of how firmly the Raiders controlled the line of scrimmage.
That pressure helped the cornerbacks do their jobs, too, though they’ll get a much tougher test next week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
At linebacker, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean showed why Las Vegas wanted the upgrade. Both players took away the kinds of plays that routinely hurt the Raiders a year ago.
Walker wiped out passing lanes and running room. Dean filled gaps and got after Willis.
The secondary made a play of its own when Treydan Stukes intercepted a pass in the third quarter, giving the offense another chance to widen an 11-point lead. Jeremy Chinn was steady again, doing what he does without much fuss.
Special teams also held up its end. The Raiders didn’t punt until the fourth quarter, and that punt traveled more than 60 yards. Matt Gay was perfect on extra points and hit a 47-yard field goal to put Las Vegas ahead by two scores early in the second quarter before adding another field goal in the third.
Dylan Laube gave the Raiders an edge in the return game as well, averaging nearly 50 yards per kickoff return.
In Other News...
Raiders Week 1 Inactives Include One Surprise Fans Didnt See Coming
The Raiders Week 1 inactive list came with the usual mix of injury-related absences and roster math, but one name stood out before kickoff against the Dolphins. Linebacker Cody Lindenberg was among the players ruled out, a designation that added an unexpected wrinkle to the opening-day picture for a team still sorting through its early-season depth.
Las Vegas also listed quarterback Aidan OConnell as the emergency third quarterback, along with tight end Brock Bowers, safety Dalton Johnson, defensive tackle JJ Pegues, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. and interior lineman Bryce Cabeldue. The decisions were made before the game, leaving the Raiders to navigate their opener with a lineup that already reflected a few early roster priorities. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face One Big Maxx Crosby Question Before The Deadline
The trade chatter around Maxx Crosby has only grown louder as the November 10 deadline approaches, and for the Raiders it has become one of the biggest questions hanging over the roster. Baltimore had lined up a deal for the pass rusher before backing out because of a failed physical, which only intensified the attention from around the league as teams started gauging whether Las Vegas might actually move one of its most recognizable defenders.
The Rams have shown strong interest, while the Eagles, Cowboys and 49ers have also been connected to Crosby in the market. Even with all that outside attention, Crosby has made it clear he wants to stay in Las Vegas, leaving the Raiders with a decision that is about more than just trade value, since Dallas could be positioned as one of the more aggressive suitors if the deadline picture keeps tightening. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face An Early Brock Bowers Problem They Can't Ignore
Brock Bowers wont be on the field when the Raiders open against the Dolphins, with head coach Klint Kubiak confirming the tight end has been ruled out for Week 1 after a meniscus trim surgery on his knee. The Raiders have taken a cautious approach with Bowers from the start, and his absence immediately changes the look of an offense that was counting on him to be a central piece this season.
What comes next is the part Las Vegas has to monitor closely, because Kubiak did not offer any timeline for Bowers return. With the team already mindful of his previous knee issues, the Raiders now have an early-season availability question at one of the more important spots on the roster, and how long they have to plan without him could shape the opening stretch of the year. [Read more 🡒]