The Las Vegas Raiders just kicked off their 2026 NFL season with a 27-13 home win over Malik Willis and the Miami Dolphins! Yeah, the veteran-led squad delivered right out of the gate at Allegiant Stadium, and they were the 3-point favorites. No surprise there, right?
Cousins and Jeanty Show Out Early in Sin City
Kirk Cousins, 15th season, first year in Sin City, and he was out there showing why they brought him in. Listen, he ended up with two picks, but dude, he still went 21 of 30 for 160 yards and a solid three touchdowns! His main target? Second-year phenom Ashton Jeanty. That duo was electric, driving the Raiders to 290 total yards, with 130 rushing. After Miami punted, the Raiders ate up the clock for nearly nine minutes, ending with Cousins hitting Jack Bech for six. Miami chipped away with two field goals in the second, but Vegas fired back with a field goal and then a 13-yard Cousins TD pass to Jeanty. Halftime: 17-6, Raiders leading. Jeanty was a straight-up beast with 147 total yards on 23 carries and six receptions, plus two touchdowns with a long of 15 yards.
Second-Half Scares And A Clutch Response
Things got a little scary after the break. Cousins tossed his first interception, handing Miami a huge chance. Malik Willis and the Dolphins jumped on it, just four plays for 52 yards, and Willis ran it in himself from 14 yards! Lead cut to four. Talk about a gut punch! But the Raiders responded, pronto. Another Cousins-Jeanty connection for a score, they added a field goal, and their defense even nabbed an interception. Miami whiffed on a field goal, and by the end of the third, it was 27-13. Fourth quarter was a bit messy for Vegas,a three-and-out, a near-costly interception,but Miami’s offense stayed stuck. Raiders hold on for that Week 1 W!
So, what’s next for Vegas? They’re heading west next Sunday to face the Los Angeles Chargers at 4:05 p.m. ET. Can Cousins cut out those turnovers and keep slinging TDs? Will Jeanty keep showing up big? For Miami, Willis and Caleb Douglas will try to rebound against the San Francisco 49ers at 5:25 p.m. ET. Only Week 1, but the early trends are already telling us everything!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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