Raiders, Dolphins Set for 2026 Season Opener

The Las Vegas Raiders host the Miami Dolphins in the opening Sunday of the 2026 NFL season, with FOX broadcasting the 4:25 p.m. ET matchup. Both teams are rebuilding after disappointing 2025 seasons, but Las Vegas is viewed as the stronger team after an aggressive offseason and the hiring of first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, while Miami missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year and has undergone extensive offensive turnover. The Raiders will be without All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers because of a knee procedure, but running back Ashton Jeanty is expected to play and could share a heavy workload with Mike Washington Jr. Key matchups include Las Vegas edge rusher Maxx Crosby against Miami’s rushing attack led by De’Von Achane, as well as tight end Michael Mayer’s expanded role and rookie safety Treydan Stukes’ debut as a starter. The game represents an early test of whether the Raiders’ new coaching structure and roster can establish greater stability, while Miami will seek to challenge expectations that it is among the league’s weakest teams.