Raiders Secure Victory Over Dolphins at Home

What we said beforehand

The Las Vegas Raiders will open their season against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2026. Both teams enter this matchup with a record of 0-0, making it a fresh start for each side as they look to establish momentum early in the season. The Raiders, despite a challenging previous season, will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Dolphins aim to bounce back from a tough stretch of games.

The Raiders have had a difficult time in their last ten games, posting a record of 1-9, which includes a recent victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, winning 14-12 on January 4, 2026. However, their scoring average has been low, with an average of 13.8 points scored per game and 25.2 points allowed. Their last five games show a record of 1-4, with an average of 12.4 points scored and 24.8 points allowed. At home, the Raiders have struggled with a 1-5 record in their last ten home games, while their away record stands at 0-4.

On the other side, the Miami Dolphins have experienced a mixed bag of results, finishing their last ten games with a record of 6-4. Their recent form includes a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they triumphed 20-17 on December 28, 2025. However, they have faced challenges recently, losing their last game against the New England Patriots 10-38 on January 4, 2026. The Dolphins have averaged 20.7 points scored and 21.9 points allowed in their last ten games, with their last five games resulting in a record of 2-3 and an average of 20.0 points scored while allowing 27.6 points.

In terms of home and away performance, the Raiders' struggles at home are evident, while the Dolphins have a more balanced approach with a 4-2 home record and a 2-2 away record in their last ten games. This could play a crucial role in the outcome of the game, as the Raiders will be looking to turn their home field into a fortress.

Injury reports indicate that both teams will be missing key players. The Raiders will be without Aidan O'Connell, Cody Lindenberg, Darrell Luter Jr., JJ Pegues, and Dalton Johnson, all out due to coach's decisions. The Dolphins also have several players sidelined, including Justin Joly, Jalen Tolbert, Brady Cook, Reese Taylor, and Chukwuebuka Godrick, all out for the same reason. The absence of these players could impact both teams' strategies and depth.

The betting market has set the odds with the Raiders favored by 3 points according to DraftKings. The total points over/under is set at 40.5, with both the over and under priced at -110. The moneyline odds show the Raiders at -170 and the Dolphins at +142, indicating a slight preference for the Raiders in the market.

Weather conditions for the game are expected to be quite warm, with a temperature of 99°F and wind gusts reaching 28 mph. These conditions could affect gameplay, particularly in terms of stamina and passing accuracy.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how the Raiders utilize their home field advantage and whether they can overcome their recent struggles. For the Dolphins, it will be interesting to see if they can capitalize on the Raiders' vulnerabilities and find a way to score effectively against a team that has allowed a high average of points. The matchup promises to be an intriguing start to the NFL season for both teams.