The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, and finishing drives decided it. Las Vegas cashed in 3 of 4 red zone trips. Miami converted 1 of 3 and leaned on field goals.
The Dolphins were the more explosive offense, averaging about 5 yards a play to roughly 4 for Las Vegas. That edge never showed on the scoreboard because Miami could not stay on the field or punch the ball in.
How It Happened
Las Vegas struck first with 1:33 left in the first quarter. Kirk Cousins found Jack Bech for a 15-yard touchdown, and Matt Gay's kick made it 7-0.
Gay added a 47-yard field goal at 10:22 of the second quarter. Riley Patterson answered with a 41-yarder at 4:08 to cut it to 10-3. Cousins then hit Ashton Jeanty for a 13-yard score with 1:07 left, and Patterson's 37-yard field goal at the gun sent Miami into the half down 17-6.
Miami came out of the break with its best stretch. Malik Willis ran 14 yards for a touchdown at 12:44 of the third quarter, and Patterson's kick pulled the Dolphins within 17-13.
The Raiders answered less than 3 minutes later. Cousins and Jeanty connected on another 13-yard touchdown at 9:58 to restore the cushion, and Gay's 30-yard field goal at 2:34 pushed the lead to 27-13. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders won with the ground game and the clock. They ran 37 times for 130 yards, which is not efficient, but it kept them on the field for nearly 35 minutes. Miami ran just 18 times despite averaging more per carry than Las Vegas.
Miami's drives kept dying on third down, where it converted just 2 of 10. The Raiders sacked the Dolphins 5 times for 35 yards without allowing a sack of their own, and that pressure helps explain the stalled possessions.
Key Performers
Las Vegas Raiders
Kirk Cousins: 3 TD passes – 15 YDS to Jack Bech, 13 YDS to Ashton Jeanty (twice)
Ashton Jeanty: 2 receiving TD – 13 YDS each
Matt Gay: FG 47, 30 YDS; 3-3 extra points
Team Passing: 21-30, 160 YDS, 2 INT
Team Rushing: 37 ATT, 130 YDS
Miami Dolphins
Malik Willis: 14-YD rushing TD
Riley Patterson: FG 41, 37 YDS; 1-1 extra points
Team Passing: 15-27, 185 YDS, 1 INT
Team Rushing: 18 ATT, 74 YDS
Jeanty was the difference near the goal line, catching two of the Raiders' three touchdowns, both from 13 yards out. Cousins opened the scoring with his first touchdown pass, and his last two came right after Miami had pulled closer.
What It Means
Las Vegas opens 1-0 with a home win, and the formula was clear: run the ball, protect the quarterback and finish in the red zone. The concern is ball security through the air. The Raiders threw 2 interceptions, which let Miami break even on turnovers at 2 apiece.
Miami falls to 0-1 after its road opener. The yards-per-play edge suggests the offense can move the ball, but 5 sacks, 8 penalties for 61 yards and a single red zone touchdown will not win many games.
The Dolphins also lost the time-of-possession battle by nearly 10 minutes. Until they fix third down, the defense will keep spending too long on the field.