Raiders 27, Dolphins 13: Jeanty Powers Kubiak’s First Win
Ashton Jeanty delivers 147 scrimmage yards and two receiving touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins reaches 301 career touchdown passes.
2026 NFL Week 1 · Final: Miami Dolphins 13, Las Vegas Raiders 27. Official team coverage · AP game report
Las Vegas opened with a statement drive
The Raiders began their new era by taking the long way to the end zone. A 16 play, 93 yard opening drive consumed 8:58 and established the shape of a 27 to 13 win over Miami. Las Vegas could sustain offense, protect its quarterback and finish possessions. Klint Kubiak's first game as head coach supplied a tangible response to those basic questions.
Ashton Jeanty was the central figure. He ran for 102 yards and caught six passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, taking his career total to 301. Miami threatened to make the second half uncomfortable, but the Raiders found the response that kept the game under control.
Follow the teams: Miami Dolphins · Las Vegas Raiders
The kickoff return stopped Miami’s momentum
The Dolphins cut a 17 to 3 deficit to 17 to 13 early in the third quarter. Las Vegas then received a 50 yard kickoff return from Dylan Laube, giving the offense a much shorter field. Cousins found Jeanty for a 13 yard touchdown, restoring a more comfortable advantage.
The sequence illustrates why special teams belongs in the explanation of the result. Miami had finally created pressure on the scoreboard. The Raiders did not need to repeat their marathon opening drive to answer it. A return changed the field, and the offense quickly converted that advantage into seven points.
Every scoring play
Quarter / clock | Scoring play | MIA : LV |
Q1 1:33 | Jack Bech 15 Yd pass from Kirk Cousins (Matt Gay Kick) | 0 : 7 |
Q2 10:22 | Matt Gay 47 Yd Field Goal | 0 : 10 |
Q2 4:08 | Riley Patterson 41 Yd Field Goal | 3 : 10 |
Q2 1:07 | Ashton Jeanty 13 Yd pass from Kirk Cousins (Matt Gay Kick) | 3 : 17 |
Q2 0:00 | Riley Patterson 37 Yd Field Goal | 6 : 17 |
Q3 12:44 | Malik Willis 14 Yd Rush (Riley Patterson Kick) | 13 : 17 |
Q3 9:58 | Ashton Jeanty 13 Yd pass from Kirk Cousins (Matt Gay Kick) | 13 : 24 |
Q3 2:34 | Matt Gay 30 Yd Field Goal | 13 : 27 |
Compare the outcome with our earlier coverage: Raiders 27, Dolphins 13: Week 1 Prop Results
Protection and pressure separated the teams
Cousins was not sacked. Miami's Malik Willis was sacked five times for 35 lost yards. The Raiders finished with only a 31 yard advantage in total offense, 290 to 259, but the experience of the two quarterbacks was very different. Las Vegas could operate on schedule more often, while Miami repeatedly had to absorb a negative play.
Maxx Crosby contributed one and a half sacks. The Raiders' defense prevented a late recovery even though Cousins threw two interceptions and the offense slowed in the fourth quarter. That is an important qualification to a positive opener: Las Vegas built a useful lead but still has to improve how it closes games offensively.
The complete team comparison
Statistic | MIA | LV |
First downs | 13 | 21 |
Offensive plays | 50 | 67 |
Total yards | 259 | 290 |
Yards per play | 5.2 | 4.3 |
Passing yards, net | 185 | 160 |
Rushing yards | 74 | 130 |
Rushing attempts | 18 | 37 |
Yards per rush | 4.1 | 3.5 |
Third downs, converted / attempts | 2 / 10 | 5 / 13 |
Fourth downs, converted / attempts | 0 / 1 | 1 / 1 |
Red zone TDs / trips | 1 / 3 | 3 / 4 |
Turnovers committed | 2 | 2 |
Sacks allowed / yards lost | 5 / 35 | 0 / 0 |
Penalties / yards | 8 / 61 | 6 / 29 |
Possession | 25:07 | 34:53 |
Jeanty handled work in both phases
Jeanty carried 23 times and caught all six targets. His 29 combined carries and catches made him the most heavily involved offensive player in the game. The receiving touchdowns also show why judging a running back solely by rushing scores can miss the most valuable part of an afternoon.
With Brock Bowers inactive after knee surgery, Michael Mayer caught six passes for 32 yards on seven targets. Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards. Miami's Caleb Douglas supplied five catches for 94 yards, while Malik Washington had three for 53. Willis added 39 rushing yards and a touchdown to his 220 passing yards, but the passing attack could not overcome the pressure consistently.
Quarterbacks and offensive leaders
Player | Week 1 production |
MIA · Malik Willis | 15/27 passing, 220 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 66.9 passer rating |
MIA · Malik Willis | 6 carries, 39 rushing yards, 1 TD; long 14 |
MIA · De'Von Achane | 11 carries, 36 rushing yards, 0 TD; long 10 |
MIA · Caleb Douglas | 5 catches, 94 receiving yards, 0 TD, 7 targets; long 30 |
MIA · Malik Washington | 3 catches, 53 receiving yards, 0 TD, 8 targets; long 30 |
MIA · De'Von Achane | 4 catches, 30 receiving yards, 0 TD, 5 targets; long 14 |
MIA · Chris Bell | 1 catches, 25 receiving yards, 0 TD, 2 targets; long 25 |
LV · Kirk Cousins | 21/30 passing, 160 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 88.2 passer rating |
LV · Ashton Jeanty | 23 carries, 102 rushing yards, 0 TD; long 15 |
LV · Mike Washington Jr. | 7 carries, 41 rushing yards, 0 TD; long 18 |
LV · Ashton Jeanty | 6 catches, 45 receiving yards, 2 TD, 6 targets; long 13 |
LV · Michael Mayer | 6 catches, 32 receiving yards, 0 TD, 7 targets; long 14 |
LV · Tre Tucker | 2 catches, 27 receiving yards, 0 TD, 4 targets; long 21 |
LV · Jalen Nailor | 3 catches, 27 receiving yards, 0 TD, 5 targets; long 12 |
All scoring and statistical tables use the final ESPN box score and play by play
Passing yards in the team table are net of sack yardage. Quarterback passing yards are gross. Receiving targets and player roles describe this game; they are not season projections.
Fantasy roles emerged immediately
Jeanty's 23 carries and six receptions provide clear evidence of a broad role. His ankle issue from the preseason did not prevent a substantial opening workload. The two receiving touchdowns made the fantasy result especially large, but the touch count is the more useful baseline for the next evaluation.
Mayer's seven targets deserve attention while Bowers' availability remains a question. Miami's De'Von Achane finished with 66 scrimmage yards on 11 carries and four receptions. That volume was well below Jeanty's, and the Dolphins' offensive struggles limited scoring opportunities. Douglas' seven targets and 94 yards are worth monitoring without declaring one productive debut a settled hierarchy for the whole season.
Continue the fantasy discussion: Kirk Cousins Named Raiders Starter: Why Fernando Mendoza Is QB2
For the next waiver decision, see Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire: Best Players Available in 30 Percent or More of Leagues
Football Nation verdict
The Raiders supplied a coherent first performance under Kubiak, with a productive lead back, useful special teams and a defense that kept Miami from taking over. Cousins' interceptions and the fourth quarter slowdown are the next issues to address. The Dolphins need better protection and more sustained possessions to turn their young skill players' flashes into reliable offense. Las Vegas visits the Chargers next, while Miami heads to San Francisco. The opening win is a foundation, and the next opponent will test its strength.
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