Like last year, the Las Vegas Raiders began the season with a victory.
But this seems different. This doesn’t seem flukey.
Yes, the Miami Dolphins aren’t good and yes, Week 1 can be a misnomer and perhaps the Raiders won’t be true contenders this season But they certainly look like an improved roster and have better coaching as the began the Klint Kubiak era with a complete team victory over the Dolphins in a 27-13 home win.
The Raiders dominated in all three phases. The offense, under the guidance
of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, was efficient, the offensive line was strong, the running attack was led by Ashton Jeanty and helped rookie Mike Washington and the defense looked fast as it had five sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. And the Raiders didn’t even punt until the fourth quarter.
The 2025 Raiders never dominated. This version did in Week 1.
Will it last? Time will tell, but it was a hell of a start. Oh, and with the Chargers being stunned at home by Arizona and the Broncos and Chiefs playing Monday night, the Raiders are alone in first place in the AFC West West.
Here are some key aspects about the game:
Cousins has his moments:
In his first game with the Raiders, Cousins, 38, connected on his first nine passes. He was mostly hitting short passes and didn’t throw down field much. When he didn’t, it was always pretty. Cousins threw two interceptions. So, if the Raiders are forced from their game plan, it could be trouble with Cousins.
Jeanty has a day:
Three weeks ago Sunday, there was concern that Jeanty suffered a major injury. Sunday, coming off an ankle injury, Jeanty had a huge game. He had 102 yards rushing on 23 carries and had 45 yards and two touchdowns on six catches out of the backfield. He looks primed for a big season. Washington added 41 yards on seven carries, including an 18-yard run. This will be a fun 1-2 punch.
Crosby pitch count
There were some plays, including six straight, where star defensive end Maxx Crosby wasn’t on the field. Crosby is famous for playing 100 percent of the snaps. But this was his first game since last December as he recovered from a knee surgery. Kubiak said that was his call. The coaching staff is being smart with him to start a long season. He finished with two tackles and a sack and a half.
Need more from receivers:
Las Vegas receivers Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Malik Benson combined for nine catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. That production must improve.
Mayer doesn’t make huge impact:
Fresh off of a three-year, $45 million contract extension, tight end Michael Mayer had six catches for 32 yards. It was a solid, but not great day for Mayer as he started for the injured Brock Bowers, who might be out another week or so with a knee injury.
Paye delivers:
Free-agent addition, pass-rusher Kwity Paye made his presence felt. He had six tackles, two sacks and four quarterback hits. If he can keep that up, he and Crosby will be a nasty pass-rush tandem.
Offensive line much improved:
The poster children for the Raiders’ 2025 woes was an awful offensive line. Led by the addiition of free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum, that unit looks much improved. The group opened big holes for the running backs and Cousins wasn’t sack. That’s a big step forward and will keep this offense competitive if they can keep it up.
Fatukasi shows up:
Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi was signed during training camp to help a weak group there. The veteran instantly made his presence felt. He had four tackles and a half sack and was excellent in the ground game. He can be an impact player.
Cole makes impact:
Raiders’ standout punter A.J. Cole didn’t punt until the fourth quarter, but, man, did he have an impact. He averaged 62.7 yards a punt with a long of 72 yards. He’s silly good.
Nice trend continued:
The Raiders forced an NFL high 11 punts on their opponent’s first drive of the game last season. They started this season the same way.
Rookie responds:
Starting cornerback Darien Porter limped off the field late in the game. Fifth-round pick, Zeke Masses, took over and the Dolphins went after him on the first play. The Cal product responded by breaking up a pass. Nice start, kid. Perhaps we will see more of him next week against the Chargers.
Getting tricky:
On fourth and short, Kubiak had fullback Connor Hayward play quarterback and take a tush-push play with Cousins at halfback. After a review, the first down was converted. Kubiak has a bag full of plays.
Nice return game:
The Raiders’ special teams was dreadful last season, but the return game was on point Sunday. Dylan Laube had kick returns of 45 and 50 yards and Benson had a 23-yard punt return he almost broke for a touchdown. What a refreshing change.
Big home crowd:
We all know Allegiant Stadium, now in its sixth season to with fans in attendance, has been a haven for visiting teams. That wasn’t the case t open this season. The Dolphins are bad and don’t travel well. This was a very loud, pro Raiders’ crowd. That’s the way it should be. Of course, there will be future visitor takrovers this season, but the season started the right way.
Got the breaks:
The Raiders outplayed the woeful Dolphins all game and deserved the win. But Las Vegas did get some breaks. They had a fourth-down stop and a fumble reversed on review and received a questionable taunting penalty in their favor to extend an eventual scoring drive. It was a good day.
Backup offensiveline tinkering:
The Raiders offensive line seems very versatile and there are some interchangeable parts, which can help if injuries occur. Case in point was the pre-game warmup alignment with backup quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Rookie Trey Zuhn was t left tackle, Caleb Rogers was at left guard and Charles Grant wat right tackle. None of these players worked at those positions in training camp. Again, versatility is a good thing.
Lindenberg inactive:
The only mild surprise of the Raiders’ game day inactives was that second-year linebacker Cody Lindenberg was inactive as a healthy scratch he was a core special teamer last season and the Raiders’ don’t have much depth at linebacker. We’ll see if this becomes a trend.
