The Las Vegas Raiders opened the 2026 NFL season with a convincing 27–13 victory over the Miami Dolphins on September 13, 2026. The game took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where the Raiders controlled possession and produced enough big plays to keep Miami from completing a comeback. Las Vegas improved to 1–0, while the Dolphins began the season 0–1. The result also gave new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak a winning start in his first regular-season game.
The Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders match player stats highlighted strong individual performances on both sides. Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns, while rookie running back Ashton Jeanty finished with 102 rushing yards and two receiving touchdowns. Miami quarterback Malik Willis passed for 220 yards and added a rushing touchdown, but the Dolphins struggled to sustain drives and were held to only 13 points.
Final Score and Match Details
Las Vegas established control early and never surrendered the lead. Jack Bech opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Cousins. Matt Gay later added a 47-yard field goal before Jeanty caught his first touchdown of the afternoon. Miami answered with two Riley Patterson field goals, but the Raiders entered halftime with a 17–6 advantage.
The Dolphins briefly created momentum in the third quarter when Willis rushed for a 14-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to four points. The Raiders immediately responded as Cousins connected with Jeanty for another 13-yard touchdown. Gay then added a 30-yard field goal, giving Las Vegas a 27–13 lead that it protected through the fourth quarter.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders |
| Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas |
| Final Score | Raiders 27, Dolphins 13 |
| Dolphins Record | 0–1 |
| Raiders Record | 1–0 |
| Week | NFL Week 1 |
Team Statistics
The Raiders held a clear advantage in several important areas. Las Vegas gained 290 total yards compared with Miami’s 259 and controlled the clock for 34:53. The Raiders also recorded 21 first downs, compared with 13 for the Dolphins. Their ability to sustain drives helped keep Miami’s offense on the sideline for long stretches.
Miami struggled on third down, converting only two of 10 attempts. Las Vegas converted five of 13 third-down opportunities and also ran 67 offensive plays compared with Miami’s 50. The Dolphins committed eight penalties for 61 yards, while the Raiders had six penalties for 29 yards. Both teams finished with two turnovers, but Miami’s offensive struggles made its mistakes more costly.
| Team Stat | Dolphins | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 259 | 290 |
| Passing Yards | 185 | 160 |
| Rushing Yards | 74 | 130 |
| Plays | 50 | 67 |
| First Downs | 13 | 21 |
| Third Down | 2/10 | 5/13 |
| Possession | 25:07 | 34:53 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Penalties | 8 | 6 |
Kirk Cousins Leads Raiders Offense
Kirk Cousins delivered an efficient performance in his Raiders debut. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Although he threw two interceptions, he avoided sacks and consistently moved the offense into scoring range. His three touchdown passes went to Jack Bech and Ashton Jeanty, with Jeanty catching two scores.
Cousins did not need to throw for a huge number of yards because Las Vegas balanced its attack effectively. The Raiders ran the ball 37 times and controlled possession for nearly 35 minutes. Cousins also helped the offense stay productive in the red zone, where Las Vegas finished three of four.
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Willis | 15/27 | 220 | 0 | 1 | 66.9 |
| Kirk Cousins | 21/30 | 160 | 3 | 2 | 88.2 |
Ashton Jeanty Shines in Week 1
Ashton Jeanty was one of the biggest stars of the game. The Raiders running back carried the ball 23 times for 102 yards while adding six receptions for 45 yards. His 147 total yards made him a major part of the Las Vegas offense. More importantly, he caught two 13-yard touchdown passes from Cousins.
Jeanty’s performance showed how the Raiders could use him in multiple ways. Miami had to account for him as both a runner and receiver, which helped create opportunities for other players. His second touchdown came shortly after Willis had reduced the Raiders’ lead to 17–13, making it an important response that restored Las Vegas’ momentum.
| Player | Team | Rushing | Rush Yards | Receptions | Rec Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Jeanty | LV | 23 | 102 | 6 | 45 | 2 receiving |
| Mike Washington Jr. | LV | 7 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Malik Willis | MIA | 6 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 rushing |
| De’Von Achane | MIA | 11 | 36 | 4 | 30 | 0 |
Malik Willis Shows Mobility for Miami
Malik Willis finished with 220 passing yards on 15 completions in 27 attempts. He did not throw a touchdown pass, but he became Miami’s leading passer and rushing quarterback. Willis ran six times for 39 yards and scored the Dolphins’ only touchdown on a 14-yard rushing play in the third quarter.
Willis faced consistent pressure throughout the afternoon. The Raiders recorded five sacks, and Willis also threw one interception. Miami’s offense could not maintain its third-down success, converting only two of 10 opportunities. That combination of pressure and stalled drives prevented the Dolphins from turning their passing yardage into enough points.
Caleb Douglas Makes Strong NFL Debut
Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas gave Miami one of its brightest moments in the season opener. He caught five passes for 94 yards, including a 30-yard reception. His 94 receiving yards led the Dolphins and provided Willis with a reliable target despite the team’s overall offensive struggles.
Douglas’ performance stood out because it came in his first NFL game. The Dolphins struggled to produce consistent offense, but the rookie showed that he could become an important part of the passing attack. His big-play ability gives Miami an encouraging piece to develop as the season continues.
NFL Week 1 Highlights
The opening touchdown arrived when Cousins found Jack Bech for a 15-yard score late in the first quarter. Miami answered with a 41-yard field goal from Riley Patterson, but the Raiders continued to build their lead. Jeanty’s first touchdown made it 17–3 before Patterson added another field goal just before halftime.
Miami’s best offensive moment came early in the third quarter when Willis escaped the pocket and ran 14 yards for a touchdown. The score made it 17–13 and gave the Dolphins a chance to take control. Las Vegas responded immediately, with Cousins finding Jeanty for another 13-yard touchdown. Gay’s field goal later extended the lead to 27–13.
Raiders Defense Controls the Finish
Las Vegas’ defense played a major role in protecting the lead. The Raiders recorded five sacks and limited Miami’s offense to only 13 points. The pressure became particularly important late in the game, when the Dolphins needed quick scoring drives but struggled to keep Willis protected.
Rookie safety Treydan Stukes also made an impact in his NFL debut by recording an interception. Jeremy Chinn forced a crucial late fumble from Malik Washington, which the Raiders recovered at the Miami 34-yard line. Those defensive plays helped end Miami’s final hopes of mounting a comeback.
Turning Point of the Game
The key turning point came immediately after Miami cut the deficit to 17–13. The Dolphins had momentum after Willis’ rushing touchdown, but Las Vegas answered with another Cousins-to-Jeanty touchdown. That quick response pushed the Raiders’ lead back to 11 points and shifted the game firmly toward the home team.
From there, Miami could not create another sustained scoring drive. The Raiders added Gay’s 30-yard field goal and then used their running game and clock control to close the game. Las Vegas finished with 130 rushing yards and 34:53 of possession, allowing the offense to protect its advantage.
Final Match Summary
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 27–13 in Week 1 behind three touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins and a standout performance from Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty produced 102 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards while catching two touchdowns. Jack Bech also caught a touchdown, while Matt Gay contributed two field goals. The Raiders’ balanced offense and strong defensive pressure gave Klint Kubiak a winning start as head coach.
Miami had some encouraging individual performances, particularly from Malik Willis and rookie receiver Caleb Douglas. Willis accounted for 259 total yards and a rushing touchdown, while Douglas recorded 94 receiving yards. However, five sacks, two turnovers, and a 2-for-10 third-down rate limited the Dolphins. The 27–13 result gave Las Vegas an important opening victory and left Miami looking for significant offensive improvements in Week 2.
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