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Raiders Handle Dolphins 27-13 in Season Opener

 

 

LAS VEGAS — The Miami Dolphins' new era got off to a disappointing start Sunday afternoon.

Miami fell to the Las Vegas Raiders 27-13 at Allegiant Stadium, dropping its season opener and giving new head coach Jeff Hafley a loss in his first game at the helm. Meanwhile, the Raiders gave new head coach Klint Kubiak a victory in his debut.

The Raiders controlled the game from the opening possession, putting together a methodical 93-yard touchdown drive that consumed nearly nine minutes. Kirk Cousins completed all nine of his passes on the opening drive before finding rookie Jack Bech for a 15-yard touchdown.

Miami struggled to generate much offensively in the first half. The Dolphins managed just two field goals before halftime and entered the locker room trailing 17-6.

Las Vegas continued to find ways to move the football, particularly through running back Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty was one of the biggest difference-makers of the afternoon, rushing for 102 yards on 23 carries while adding 45 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. Both of his touchdowns came from 13 yards out, giving the Raiders a reliable weapon both on the ground and through the air.

Cousins finished his Raiders debut with 21 completions on 30 attempts for 160 yards and three touchdowns. The veteran quarterback did throw two interceptions, but his ability to manage the game and consistently move the offense helped Las Vegas control the tempo.

The Raiders held the ball for nearly 35 minutes, while Miami struggled to stay on the field.

Miami briefly appeared to gain momentum in the third quarter.

Rookie safety Michael Taaffe intercepted Cousins, giving the Dolphins an opportunity to cut into the deficit. Malik Willis then put together one of Miami's better offensive sequences of the afternoon, eventually scoring on a rushing touchdown to make it a six-point game.

But the Raiders responded immediately.

Cousins found Jeanty for his second touchdown of the afternoon, restoring Las Vegas' two-score advantage and putting the momentum right back in the home team's hands.

Willis showed some encouraging flashes in his first start for Miami, completing 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards and rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown. However, he was also intercepted once and sacked five times as the Raiders' pass rush consistently disrupted Miami's offense.

The Dolphins finished with just 259 total yards and converted only 2-of-10 third downs. Their rushing attack was particularly disappointing, producing only 65 yards on 17 attempts. De'Von Achane, one of Miami's biggest offensive weapons, was held to just 36 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Defensively, Miami did create some opportunities, including two interceptions of Cousins, but the unit struggled to consistently pressure the quarterback. The Dolphins also had problems with tackling and special teams, allowing Las Vegas to repeatedly win the field-position battle.

For the Raiders, the victory represented exactly what they wanted from the beginning of the Kubiak era: complementary football.

The offense produced when it needed to, the defense recorded five sacks, and the special teams helped establish favorable field position throughout the afternoon.

For Miami, however, the loss raises immediate questions.

The Dolphins entered the season in a rebuilding phase with a new coaching staff and a new starting quarterback, and Sunday's performance showed just how much work remains. The offensive line needs to improve, the rushing attack needs to find consistency, and the defense has to become more disruptive.

There is still a long season ahead, but Miami won't have much time to dwell on the loss.

The Dolphins now head to California to face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, while the Raiders travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers.

One game doesn't define a season. But for the Dolphins, Sunday's loss made it clear that this new era is going to require patience.

 

 

 

 

Written by: Daniel Torres