Raiders’ Offensive Line and Jeanty Shine in 27-13 Win, but Power Rankings Lag

Key points

• Raiders won 27-13, leading from start to finish against the Dolphins.
• Ashton Jeanty recorded 102 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.
• Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions but completed 15 passes for 220 yards.
• Raiders dropped in power rankings despite the win, with ESPN and Sports Illustrated citing the weak opponent and upcoming Chargers matchup.
• Miami’s rookie class, including WR Caleb Douglas and LB Jacob Rodriguez, produced standout individual stats despite the loss.

Background

The 2025 season ended with a 3-14 record for the Raiders, leading to significant coaching changes. Klint Kubiak was hired as head coach, and the team drafted highly in 2025, including Ashton Jeanty at sixth overall. The Dolphins are in a major rebuild, fielding the youngest roster in the NFL with seven rookies starting in Week 1. Previous archive notes indicate the Dolphins’ offensive line had protection issues in preseason and Week 1, while the Raiders’ new regime emphasized aggressive defensive play and improved offensive line cohesion.

How outlets are covering it

Raiders Wire praised the offensive line and head coach Klint Kubiak’s game plan, highlighting Jeanty’s breakout performance and the effectiveness of tight end Michael Mayer as a blocker. However, they noted guard Spencer Burford as a weak link, giving up tackles for loss and contributing to an interception. Silver and Black Pride noted that while the Raiders won, they fell in power rankings because they beat the worst team in the NFL and face a tough Chargers team next. ESPN and Sports Illustrated emphasized the need for Cousins to improve his accuracy, noting his low yards per attempt on deep passes. The Miami Dolphins’ official site focused on the youth of their roster, highlighting Caleb Douglas’s 94 receiving yards and Jacob Rodriguez’s 14 tackles as positive signs for the future, despite the loss. The Athletic noted that the Raiders’ win was more cohesive than their 2025 season, suggesting a potential culture change under Kubiak and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.

Why it matters

The Raiders’ win validates the 2025 draft picks and coaching changes, but the drop in power rankings highlights the skepticism surrounding their schedule and Cousins’ inconsistency. For the Dolphins, the game exposed offensive line issues but showed promise in their young talent, setting the stage for a rebuild. The Raiders’ next game against the Chargers will be a critical test of their offensive line and Cousins’ ability to sustain performance against tougher competition.

What to watch

The Raiders will face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, a team that lost their opener and is expected to be motivated. The Dolphins will look to improve their offensive line protection and leverage their young talent in their next matchup. Kirk Cousins’ performance in deep passing situations will be monitored, and the Raiders’ defensive consistency will be tested against a stronger opponent.