The Dolphins finally get their season started Sunday against the Raiders, and the opener comes with a few obvious questions attached. Miami has to wait for the 4:25 EST kickoff, but once the ball is in the air, the first real look at this new regime begins.
The lean here is toward a Dolphins win, though it figures to be a tight one.
Miami’s best path is pretty clear: use a roster that fits up well against Las Vegas on both sides and trust that the team’s young core can clean things up as the game unfolds. The offense may not lean on the run as much as some expect, because the Raiders are likely to crowd the box and dare Miami to throw.
That could work in the Dolphins’ favor. Las Vegas does not have a strong secondary, and the rookie receivers have already shown they can find space in coverage.
De'Von Achane should matter in multiple ways. He can impact the game as a runner, as a receiver, and as a player who forces the Raiders to keep accounting for him even when the ball goes elsewhere. The Dolphins’ offensive line has to create room and keep Malik Willis protected, but Willis brings enough versatility and pocket awareness to help extend plays and create some himself when he slips free.
On the other side, Miami’s front seven has the tougher assignment of slowing Ashton Jeanty. The edge rushers need to stay disciplined outside and generate pressure on Kirk Cousins, who can get flustered in the pocket and start giving the ball away when that happens.
The Dolphins’ secondary is still a question, but against this Raiders receiving group, the biggest concern appears to be Mike Mayer, who will step in for the injured Brock Bowers. Tre Tucker is the only true threat at receiver, and he is average.
Miami is expected to use rookie Chris Johnson as a disguised coverage nickelback, with the possibility of shadowing the tight end and helping outside as well. His ability to help against the run matters too.
The linebackers may end up deciding a lot here, especially if they can keep Jeanty in front of them and contribute when asked to rush. The Dolphins could have as many as five rookies starting Sunday, including Jacob Rodriguez, the “green-dot” linebacker who will handle the defensive communication.
That youth is also the reason Miami could get burned. If this turns into a shootout, the Dolphins are in trouble.
A lot of the things that make this matchup appealing for Miami also come with the risk that inexperience shows up at the wrong time. The Dolphins have to play clean, stay composed, and move on quickly after mistakes instead of letting one error snowball into another.
Stopping Jeanty remains the biggest swing factor. If Miami can’t do that, the rest gets harder fast.
And while the Raiders’ wideouts don’t look overwhelming, the secondary is still a major question for Miami, which means the entire defense has to work in sync. Pressure on Cousins helps the back end, and slowing Jeanty forces Las Vegas into throws it would rather not make.
There’s a similar concern on offense. If the Dolphins’ line can’t handle the Raiders’ edge rush, Maxx Crosby could make life miserable for Willis.
The Raiders’ front is good, though not unbeatable, as long as Miami avoids pre-snap penalties. If the Dolphins keep putting themselves behind the chains, they’ll be forced into long passing situations, and that plays right into Las Vegas’ hands.
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Dolphins Suddenly Have A Week 1 Pass Rush Twist Fans Need To See
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It is a reminder of how much turnover and uncertainty still sits around this roster, even before the first snap matters. Miamis 2026 cap picture is already lopsided, with more money tied up in players not currently on the roster than those who are, so every live rep from a player like Ferrell carries a little extra weight as the Dolphins try to sort out which pieces can actually help them now. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Week 1 Decision Raises Eyebrows At One Position
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The list is notable because Tolbert arrived with the kind of veteran profile that usually suggests at least an early role, and instead he was left on the sideline for Week 1. Miamis choices also came against a Raiders inactive list that included tight end Brock Bowers after a knee procedure, along with Aidan O'Connell as the emergency third quarterback, underscoring how quickly early-season availability can shape a game-day plan. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Face Tanking Talk Again As Their Rebuild Gets Tested
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For a team that has already lived through accusations of intentional losing back in 2019, the optics matter almost as much as the record. The Dolphins are trying to sell a different story now, one built on rebuilding and a new culture rather than short-term sacrifice, but any season that starts with cap stress and quarterback uncertainty is going to invite the same old questions until the on-field results quiet them. [Read more 🡒]