The Raiders open the season, welcoming the Miami Dolphins to Allegiant. To get ready for the game, we reached out to Dolphins Wire lead writer Mike Masala to get some answers on the Raiders' first opponent.
1. Is Malik Willis for real or just a flyer?
Masala: Willis joined the Dolphins on a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason after a positive stint with the Green Bay Packers and a negative one with the Tennessee Titans. It’s hard to imagine many people saw more of Willis than Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, who was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator last year. While it’s clear that the coaching staff believes in the quarterback, it’s much more likely that they roll into 2027 with someone else under center.
2. Who replaces Jaylen Waddle at wide receiver?
Masala: Miami doesn’t have anyone on their roster currently who can
live up to Waddle’s production during his time in South Florida. As for who will be Willis’ No. 1 option, that will probably be Malik Washington, the 2024 sixth-round pick, who caught 72 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns in his first three seasons. However, don’t be surprised if third-round rookie Caleb Douglas takes over that role at some point this year.
3. Most accounts suggest the Dolphins will struggle this year. But what’s one area of the team you think will surprise a lot of people?
Masala: The Dolphins probably won’t be the most exciting team to watch in 2026, but their run defense should be strong in 2026. They have some strong members of their front seven, including 2025 All-Pro Jordyn Brooks and second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez in the middle, who will both be ready to meet any running back who makes it through the defensive line, anchored by Zach Sieler.
4. It kinda looks like the Dolphins are where the Raiders were last year. Is that fair to say?
Masala: That’s a fair analysis. The Dolphins moved on from both head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier for 2026, and they’ve decided to move on from several big names and high-priced veterans, including Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick. That’s left them with some large dead cap hits. The big difference between the two situations is that Pete Carroll always felt like a short-term solution, while Jeff Hafley should be around for much longer.
5. Who wins this game? Score prediction?
Masala: This might be the Dolphins’ best chance at a victory this year, considering the Raiders aren’t starting No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and last year’s first-round pick Ashton Jeanty might be hampered by an ankle injury. Let’s give this one to Miami in an upset.
Final Score: Dolphins 13, Raiders 10
See my answers to his questions here.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Raiders' Week 1 game with Dolphins Wire
