The Miami Dolphins open their 2026 NFL schedule with a Week 1 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. The game features two teams with new head coaches hoping to spark a quick rebuild and head toward being competitive this year, even with predictions of a less-than-ideal season.
Can Miami surprise the NFL this year, putting together more wins than anyone expects? To do that, they likely need to start off with a strong performance this afternoon against the Raiders. For the Dolphins, we take a look
at five things to watch for today’s game.
Jeff Hafley game management
The first game for a brand-new head coach is always a stressful one. Hafley has head-coaching experience at Boston College, but he has never held this role at the NFL level. He will want to make sure his vision for the Dolphins is evident, but he will have to remember this is an 18-week marathon, not a one-game sprint. How does he manage the game?
Timeouts. Challenges. Play calling. Offensive adjustments when calling plays for the defense. What is Hafley’s style when the games matter? He will face his first challenge today, and he will set the tone for the rest of the season.
Rookie wide receivers
Miami heads into the season with two third-round picks, Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, and a fifth-round selection, Kevin Coleman, Jr., set to have major playing time at wide receiver. The speed of the game is about to crank up; how will the receivers respond?
The learning curve is steep, and there will be rookie mistakes. Can the Dolphins limit those mistakes and learn from them immediately? With three rookies, they also have to learn from each other – one makes the mistake, all three immediately make a change to their game. It is a lot to ask of young players, but the receivers cannot make excuses.
Against the Raiders, they need to step up and make their presence felt. Douglas should be the primary option of the three, at least until Bell is up to full speed in his recovery from an ACL tear last year. Coleman will factor into the rotation and could be a day-three steal for Miami. Will we notice them today, and, more importantly, will we notice them for good reasons?
Chop Robinson bouncing back
The Dolphins’ pass rush is headlined by Robinson, but he has not had massive success during his first two years in the league. He has 10 total sacks in his first two years, a number Robinson should have as a goal for this year. The third year is usually a breakout season if a player is going to become a force in the NFL, and this is the year for Robinson to step up.
But it is not just pass rush that Robinson needs to show this year. He also has to prove he can be an every-down player, setting the edge against the run just as much as he gets after opposing quarterbacks. The Raiders should attack the Dolphins on the ground, making Miami prove they can stop running back Ashton Jeanty. Robinson will have a major part the Dolphins’ response.
Against the Raiders, Robinson is going to have his opportunities, especially when matched up against Las Vegas right tackle DJ Glaze. Glaze allowed 10 sacks last season and is a big question mark heading into this season. The Raiders not starting first-overall pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza, instead turning to veteran Kirk Cousins, is in part because of their offensive line struggles and not wanting to subject the rookie to constant pressure while learning the speed of the game. Robinson could jumps start a big year with a huge day on Sunday.
Offensive line establishing itself
The Dolphins’ starting offensive line looks like a good unit on paper. Left tackle Patrick Paul is entering his prime; first-round pick Kadyn Proctor is next to him at left guard; and center Aaron Brewer is coming off an All-Pro season and looking to get even better. Right guard Jonah Savaiinaea has a season to forget last year at left guard, but should improve because of that experience and by moving back to his natural position on the right side. Right tackle Austin Jackson has the potential to be a great lineman, but his career so far has been defined by injuries; if he stays healthy, Miami shouldn’t have to worry about either tackle position.
The offensive line has questions to answer, but it should be better. Sunday will tell us whether that is a fair assumption. Can they protect quarterback Malik Willis? Will they be able to open lanes for running back De’Von Achane?
Any success Miami’s offense will have this year will start with the offensive line. They have to step up early, and a test against the Raiders’ edge rusher Maxx Crosby will give us a good idea of who the line might be this season.
Secondary needs to step up
The biggest area of concern for the Dolphins’ defense is the secondary. Miami is relying on young, unproven players for much of their cornerbacks and safety group. Even the veterans, for the most part, are journeymen who need to prove themselves. They will get their first test against a veteran quarterback who knows how to make them pay.
The good news is, the Raiders do not have a great set of receivers. This could ease Miami’s secondary into the season, giving them the experience they desperately need. Robinson and the pass rush should help out, but the secondary has to step up today and instill some confidence in the group.
