Week 1: Two New Coaches Debut as Dolphins Visit Raiders
The Miami Dolphins visit the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 13, with both head coaches, Jeff Hafley and Klint Kubiak, making their regular-season debuts. Miami rebuilt from the top down, hiring a new general manager, releasing Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, trading Jaylen Waddle to Denver and signing Malik Willis to start; Willis has six career starts. Las Vegas named Kirk Cousins the starter over No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on Wednesday, expects Maxx Crosby back from meniscus surgery, and lists Ashton Jeanty as questionable with an ankle sprain after he missed two practices.
Willis' first start for a stripped-down Dolphins offense
Miami carries the league's highest dead-cap figure and lost its top two receivers and quarterback in one offseason. De'Von Achane is the one returning star.
Cousins over Mendoza
Kubiak coached Cousins in Minnesota and chose the veteran after Mendoza's rough preseason, making Mendoza the first No. 1 pick not to start Week 1 since 2018.
Jeanty's ankle
Kubiak said he was optimistic Jeanty would play. Without him, the Raiders' offense leans even harder on Cousins and new center Tyler Linderbaum.
AI Prediction
Dolphins 
Raiders Miami's roster is the thinnest in the league on paper
A new quarterback with six starts, no proven outside receivers and a defensive front missing Kenneth Grant is a lot to overcome on the road.
Las Vegas spent to fix its weaknesses
Linderbaum, Quay Walker and Kwity Paye are real upgrades, and Crosby's return gives the Raiders the best player on the field.
Two debuting coaches and a questionable Jeanty
New schemes on both sides and the Raiders' best skill player nursing an ankle keep the confidence at medium rather than high.
The pick rests on Miami's offseason teardown. If Jeanty sits, the projected margin narrows but the winner does not change.
Raiders Leaders
Dolphins Leaders
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Closing Line
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Raiders Injuries