Ashton Jeanty absolutely torched the Dolphins on Sunday, racking up 147 yards and two crucial touchdowns as the Raiders rolled to a dominant 27-13 victory. This dude is already making it clear he’s a game-wrecker in the NFL, and it’s only getting started this season. What a way to kick things off!
Jeanty’s Electric Performance Fuels Raiders Offense
Seriously, this kid is a legitimate problem for opposing defenses, and he’s not even a full two seasons in. Jeanty, the 2025 first-round pick, just posted his third career 100-yard game, accounting for a massive 147 total yards against Miami. You remember the buzz last season, right? Dropping 138 rushing yards against the Bears in just his fourth game, or racking up 188 total yards versus the Texans back in December? He’s picking up right where he left off, showcasing that explosive playmaking ability that makes coaches lose sleep. Against the Dolphins, he snatched two 13-yard touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins, proving he’s just as dangerous out of the backfield as he is pounding the rock between the tackles.
Speaking of Cousins, he had a solid, if slightly uneven, outing. He went 21-of-30 for 160 yards, tossing three touchdowns, which is always good. His first score was a 15-yard hookup with Jack Bech. However, two interceptions aren’t ideal, especially with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings. That kind of pressure means Cousins knows he’s gotta perform at a high level every single week. Getting wins like this, where the offense shows flashes of brilliance thanks to guys like Jeanty, keeps everyone focused on the present and the positive momentum.
Defense Clamps Down, Leaves Dolphins Searching For Answers
While Jeanty was lighting up the scoreboard, the Raiders defense was straight up suffocating the Dolphins. They absolutely locked down Miami’s attack, holding them to a paltry 259 total yards for the entire game. That’s just insane! This unit completely hammered Malik Willis, sacking him five times and consistently disrupting the pocket. Two forced turnovers sealed the deal, showing this defense is ready to make a statement early in the season. Nakobe Dean was everywhere, racking up six tackles, a key sack, and two tackles for loss. Kwity Paye was a relentless beast with six tackles, two sacks, and four quarterback hits, putting Willis under constant duress. Rookie safety Treydan Stukes also got in on the action, snagging an interception to go with his two tackles, while veteran Maxx Crosby added 1.5 sacks to his two tackles.
For the Dolphins, it was a rough day at the office, to put it mildly. Running back De’Von Achane could only muster 36 yards on 11 carries and just 30 receiving yards on four catches. Malik Willis had a tough time finding any rhythm, going 15-of-27 for 220 yards with an interception. He did add a team-leading 39 rushing yards on six carries, but it was nowhere near enough to overcome the Raiders’ defensive stranglehold. Rookie Caleb Douglas was a rare bright spot for Miami, managing to pull in five catches for 94 yards.
This win wasn’t just a win, it was an emphatic statement from the Raiders, showing they’re built to make some serious noise right now. With Jeanty running wild, Cousins finding his groove, and the defense completely clamping down, they’re laying down a serious marker early in the season. For the Dolphins, it’s back to the drawing board after getting completely stifled on offense. They’ve gotta figure out how to get things rolling, and fast, if they want to get back on track.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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