The Las Vegas Raiders have a chance to open the season with a statement win, and the matchup against the Miami Dolphins gives a few players a real path to big afternoons.
The Raiders are back in front of their home fans for the first time since 2021, and the setup looks friendly for the Silver and Black. Miami is expected to struggle in 2026, and the Dolphins also come in thin at a few key spots. That opens the door for several Raiders to pile up numbers in different ways.
One name to watch is Tucker. Miami’s secondary does not bring much to the table, which could leave him in line for some of the cleaner opportunities in the passing game.
With Kirk Cousins at quarterback, the Raiders should be comfortable getting the ball out quickly and accurately, and that style fits Tucker well because it gives him chances to work after the catch. While attention may go elsewhere in the passing attack, Tucker could end up sneaking into the spotlight.
He is also in the final year of his contract, so every chance to make a play matters. Against a defense that lacks a star cornerback, he should see plenty of targets.
The interior of Miami’s defensive line also looks vulnerable, especially with Kenneth Grant out. That should give Linderbaum room to create movement up front and help the Raiders’ backs find running lanes.
Ashton Jeanty is back after what looked like a scary ankle injury a few weeks ago, and rookie Mike Washington Jr. is expected to have a role after a strong preseason. Linderbaum will be responsible for helping both of them get going, and this is the kind of matchup where he should handle that job without much trouble.
Las Vegas paid him to be a force inside, and even if it does not show up directly on the stat sheet, his impact should be easy to spot.
Stokes also enters the opener with a favorable setup. The Raiders brought him in this offseason after his bounce-back season, and Miami’s uncertainty at wide receiver gives him a chance to shine on the other side of the ball.
As Las Vegas’ top cornerback, Stokes should be in position to take away whoever lines up across from him, whether that is veteran Jalen Tolbert or one of the Dolphins’ rookies. With Miami not bringing the same kind of receiver threats it once did, Stokes could spend the day stacking up pass breakups.
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Raiders Face An Early Brock Bowers Problem They Can't Ignore
Brock Bowers wont be available when the Raiders open the season against the Dolphins, and that puts an immediate spotlight on how Las Vegas plans to move forward without one of its most important young playmakers. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the tight end has been ruled out after undergoing a meniscus trim surgery on his knee, a development that leaves the team to adjust its Week 1 plans before the games even start.
The bigger concern for the Raiders is that no specific return timeline has been set, which makes Bowers absence feel less like a short detour and more like the start of a cautious waiting game. Given the teams awareness of his previous knee issues, this is clearly a situation Las Vegas is handling carefully, but it also means the offense has to be ready for an early stretch without the player it was built to feature. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Week 1 Inactives Include One Surprise Fans Didnt See Coming
The Raiders first game of the season brought one notable wrinkle before kickoff, as the clubs Week 1 inactive list against the Dolphins included linebacker Cody Lindenberg. Las Vegas also ruled out quarterback Aidan OConnell, who is serving as the emergency third quarterback, along with tight end Brock Bowers, safety Dalton Johnson, defensive tackle JJ Pegues, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. and interior offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue.
For a team sorting through roster decisions and health questions in the opening week, the inactive list offered an early look at how the Raiders want to shape the sideline mix against Miami. Some of the names were expected because of injury or recent acquisition status, but Lindenbergs designation stood out as the one fans probably did not have circled when the day began. [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 nears, and it all starts with how close the Raiders came to dealing their star edge rusher in the first place. The Ravens backed out of a trade agreement after Crosby failed a physical, which instantly reset the market and sent other contenders back to the table. The Rams were among the most aggressive teams to circle back, but Crosby made it clear he wants to stay in Las Vegas.
Even with that stance, the phone lines are not likely to go quiet. The Eagles, Cowboys and 49ers have all shown interest, and Dallas has emerged as the club that could make the strongest push if it decides to act before the deadline. For the Raiders, the question is no longer whether Crosby has value. It is how long they can hold onto one of the leagues most coveted pass rushers while the rest of the market keeps probing. [Read more 🡒]