The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 on September 13, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders controlled possession, produced 290 total yards, and turned a strong defensive performance into a convincing Week 1 victory.
Final Score and Match Overview
The Raiders opened the game with a long 93-yard touchdown drive that consumed nearly nine minutes. Kirk Cousins capped that possession with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bech. Las Vegas then extended its advantage through the second quarter and entered halftime with a 17-6 lead.
Miami briefly made the game competitive after halftime. Malik Willis rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-13. Las Vegas answered immediately, with Cousins finding Ashton Jeanty for another 13-yard touchdown. Matt Gay later added a 30-yard field goal, and the Raiders defense shut Miami out in the fourth quarter.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 7 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
Malik Willis Passing and Rushing Stats
Malik Willis made his first start for Miami and completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards. He threw one interception and did not record a passing touchdown. Willis also led Miami in rushing with 39 yards on six carries, including his 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The Raiders consistently pressured Willis throughout the afternoon. Las Vegas recorded five sacks and forced two turnovers, limiting Miami’s ability to sustain drives. The Dolphins converted only 2 of 10 third downs, which made it difficult to turn Willis’ passing yardage into enough points.
Kirk Cousins Leads the Raiders Offense
Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in his Raiders debut. His first touchdown went to Jack Bech for 15 yards, while both of his other touchdown passes went to Ashton Jeanty.
Cousins also reached a major career milestone during the victory. His three touchdown passes moved him past 300 career touchdown passes. Although his two interceptions created some concerns, his efficiency in the red zone helped Las Vegas build enough separation to win comfortably.
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Willis, MIA | 15/27 | 220 | 0 | 1 |
| Kirk Cousins, LV | 21/30 | 160 | 3 | 2 |
Ashton Jeanty Delivers the Biggest Performance
Ashton Jeanty was the standout offensive player. He carried 23 times for 102 yards and caught six passes for 45 yards. His 147 scrimmage yards ranked as the key individual production in the game, and both of his receptions for touchdowns came from Cousins on 13-yard plays.
Jeanty repeatedly gave the Raiders positive production on the ground while also creating matchup problems as a receiver. NFL.com noted that he finished with 147 scrimmage yards on 29 touches. His two touchdown catches made him the central figure in Las Vegas’ offensive success.
| Player | Rushing | Rushing Yards | Receiving | Receiving Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Jeanty, LV | 23 | 102 | 6 | 45 | 2 |
| Mike Washington Jr., LV | 7 | 41 | — | — | 0 |
| De’Von Achane, MIA | 11 | 36 | 4 | 30 | 0 |
| Malik Willis, MIA | 6 | 39 | — | — | 1 |
De’Von Achane Struggles Against Las Vegas
De’Von Achane finished with 36 rushing yards on 11 attempts. He also caught four passes for 30 yards, giving him 66 yards from scrimmage. The Raiders’ defensive front prevented Miami from establishing the explosive rushing attack that often makes Achane so dangerous.
Miami therefore depended heavily on Willis through the air. While Willis produced 220 passing yards, the Dolphins struggled to convert possessions into touchdowns. Their two scoring drives in the second quarter ended with field goals, while their only touchdown came from Willis’ rushing ability.
Caleb Douglas Becomes Miami’s Top Receiver
Rookie Caleb Douglas emerged as Miami’s leading receiver. He caught five passes for 94 yards, including a long reception of 30 yards. His production gave Willis a reliable downfield target during a game in which Miami’s offense struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities.
Malik Washington also contributed three receptions for 53 yards, while Achane added his four catches for 30 yards. Miami’s receiving production helped Willis reach 220 passing yards, but the Raiders’ pressure prevented the Dolphins from turning those yards into enough touchdowns.
Raiders Receiving Leaders
Jeanty led the Raiders in receiving production with six catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Mayer also caught six passes, finishing with 32 yards. Jalen Nailor added three receptions for 27 yards as Las Vegas spread its passing production across several targets.
Jack Bech provided one of the game’s most important early receptions. His 15-yard touchdown catch completed Las Vegas’ opening 93-yard drive and established the tone for the afternoon. The Raiders continued to find Jeanty in favorable situations, especially near the goal line.
| Raiders Receiver | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Jeanty | 6 | 45 | 2 |
| Michael Mayer | 6 | 32 | 0 |
| Jalen Nailor | 3 | 27 | 0 |
| Jack Bech | — | — | 1 |
Team Statistics Comparison
The Raiders ran 67 offensive plays compared with Miami’s 50. Las Vegas also controlled possession for 34:53, while Miami held the ball for 25:07. That difference allowed the Raiders to maintain pressure on the Dolphins and keep their defense rested.
Miami actually gained 185 passing yards compared with Las Vegas’ 160, but the Raiders won the overall efficiency battle. Las Vegas produced 130 rushing yards and 290 total yards. Miami finished with 74 rushing yards and 259 total yards.
| Team Stat | Dolphins | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 259 | 290 |
| Passing Yards | 185 | 160 |
| Rushing Yards | 74 | 130 |
| Offensive Plays | 50 | 67 |
| Yards per Play | 5.2 | 4.3 |
| Possession | 25:07 | 34:53 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Penalties | 8 | 6 |
Raiders Defense Changes the Game
Las Vegas’ defense played a major role in the victory. The Raiders recorded five sacks against Willis and forced two turnovers. The pressure repeatedly disrupted Miami’s offensive rhythm, particularly during the second half when the Dolphins needed quick scoring drives.
Kwity Paye recorded two sacks and four quarterback hits, while Maxx Crosby added 1.5 sacks. Nakobe Dean also contributed a sack and six tackles. Rookie safety Treydan Stukes recorded his first NFL interception, giving the Raiders another important defensive play.
Key Plays That Decided the Game
The opening drive immediately favored Las Vegas. Cousins completed his first nine attempts as a Raider and guided the offense 93 yards for the game’s first touchdown. The Raiders followed that with a 47-yard Matt Gay field goal and then another touchdown before halftime.
Miami’s third-quarter comeback attempt created the most important turning point. Michael Taaffe intercepted Cousins, and Willis responded with his 14-yard touchdown run. However, Jeanty caught his second touchdown pass only minutes later. Las Vegas then added another field goal, creating the 27-13 margin that held through the final quarter.
Special Teams and Game Management
Special teams also helped the Raiders win the field-position battle. Dylan Laube produced a 44-yard kickoff return, while rookie Malik Benson had a 23-yard punt return. Those plays helped Las Vegas begin important possessions with favorable field position.
Matt Gay converted two field goals, including a 47-yard attempt and a 30-yard kick. Riley Patterson made two field goals for Miami, from 41 and 37 yards, but he also missed a 41-yard attempt. The Dolphins’ special-teams mistakes added to their problems during a difficult opening game.
Final Match Summary
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 27-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins was built on balance, defensive pressure and Ashton Jeanty’s versatility. Jeanty produced 147 scrimmage yards and two receiving touchdowns, while Cousins delivered three touchdown passes in his first Raiders start. Las Vegas also controlled the clock and ran 17 more offensive plays than Miami.
Miami showed some positive signs through Willis and rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, but the offense struggled in critical situations. Five sacks, two turnovers, a poor third-down rate and limited rushing production kept the Dolphins from completing their comeback. For Las Vegas, the result gave Klint Kubiak a winning debut and moved the Raiders to 1-0 to begin the 2026 season.
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