Dolphins and Raiders Kick Off 2026 Season with New Beginnings
The Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders are set to begin their 2026 seasons on Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium, marking a significant transition for both teams.
Miami will kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX, introducing a new head coach and quarterback. Malik Willis, who previously played for Green Bay, will take the helm after the Dolphins parted ways with Tua Tagovailoa. The team is also one of the youngest in the league, with 13 rookies making up nearly a quarter of the active roster. Running back De’Von Achane, entering the season with a new four-year contract, is expected to play a crucial role against a Raiders defense that struggled against the run last season.
On the other hand, Las Vegas will start the Klint Kubiak era with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is tasked with guiding the team while rookie Fernando Mendoza develops. Cousins will have running back Ashton Jeanty available after recovering from an ankle injury, but the Raiders will be without tight end Brock Bowers, who is sidelined due to knee surgery. This absence could increase the pressure on Jeanty and the running game. The matchup between Achane and the Raiders' defense is anticipated to be pivotal, as Miami aims to control the game tempo while Las Vegas seeks to establish its running game to support Cousins' passing opportunities.
