Raiders vs Dolphins Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Week 1 on 9/13/2026

The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off with an exciting Week 1 game featuring the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders. Taking place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, this matchup is scheduled for Sunday, September 13 at 4:25 PM and will be broadcast on FOX. Both teams are looking to start their seasons strong after a series of challenging preseason games.

The Miami Dolphins, under the leadership of head coach Jeff Hafley, enter the season from the AFC East division. The team had a tough preseason, recording losses in all three games against the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders. Despite these setbacks, the Dolphins aim to leverage their experience and coordination under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and defensive coordinator Sean Duggan.

On the other side, the Las Vegas Raiders, coached by Klint Kubiak, are eager to make their mark in the AFC West. The Raiders managed a preseason victory against the Houston Texans but faced defeats at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals. With a determined squad and strategic minds like offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, the Raiders are prepared for a compelling start at home.

In terms of odds, the Raiders are favored at -195 on the moneyline, while the Dolphins stand at +162. The spread sits at +3.5 for the Dolphins and -3.5 for the Raiders, with an over/under set at 40.5 points. This game promises to be a tightly contested battle as both teams seek to secure a win in their season opener.

Raiders vs Dolphins At a Glance (Week 1)

• The Miami Dolphins will play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL Regular Season.
• This game will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, which has a dome.
• The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 4:25 PM and will be broadcast on FOX.
• The Raiders are favored with a moneyline of -195, while the Dolphins are at +162.
• The point spread is set at Raiders -3.5 with an over/under total of 40.5 points.
• Both teams are coming off preseason losses, with the Dolphins losing to the Falcons and the Raiders to the 49ers.

Las Vegas Raiders: Ready to Roll into 2026 Season Opener

Offensive Struggles

The Las Vegas Raiders struggled offensively last season, ranking 31st in points per game with just 14.2. They also found themselves at the bottom of the league in total offensive yards, managing only 245.2 yards per game. With the start of the 2026 season, the Raiders will aim to improve these numbers and establish a more consistent offensive presence.

Their passing game last season saw limited success, with an average of 167.7 yards per game, ranking 28th. The running game was equally challenged, ranked 31st with just 77.5 rushing yards per game. Addressing these issues will be crucial for the Raiders to find success this season.

Defensive Outlook

Defensively, the Raiders ranked 24th in opponent scoring, allowing 25.4 points per game last season. Despite these challenges, their defense showed potential by ranking 10th in sacks with 37. Additionally, the Raiders' defense was able to capitalize on turnovers, ranking 11th in takeaways with 16.

The Raiders' pass defense was middle-of-the-pack, allowing 201 passing yards per game, which was 14th in the league. The rush defense was slightly better, allowing 116.8 yards per game, ranking 17th. Improving these defensive metrics could help the Raiders maintain competitiveness throughout the season.

Preseason Performance

In the 2026 preseason, the Raiders showed mixed results with a 1-2 record. A win against the Houston Texans was highlighted by a strong offensive performance, where they accumulated 241 passing yards and 159 rushing yards. However, the losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals revealed areas that still need work.

Key players like Aidan O'Connell and Dylan Laube showed promise, with O'Connell passing for 166 yards against the Texans. On the defensive side, Patrick Johnson and Brandon Cleveland were standout performers in the preseason. Their continued development will be important as the regular season progresses.

Injury Concerns

Entering the season opener, the Raiders have several players on the injured reserve list, including Justin Shorter and Chris Collier. The absence of these players could impact the team's depth. Ashton Jeanty is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, and his availability will be key for the Raiders' running game.

The team will have to rely on the depth of their roster to fill these gaps. The health of key players throughout the season will be crucial to their success, especially in maintaining consistency and performance on both sides of the ball.

Depth Chart Highlights

The Raiders' depth chart features Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback, with Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell as backups. The running back position will be led by Ashton Jeanty, followed by Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube.

On defense, Maxx Crosby and Quay Walker are expected to be key contributors. With a solid core of players, the Raiders have the potential to improve from last year's performance. Consistency and health will be crucial as they navigate the upcoming season.

Team Betting Trends

• The Raiders went 5-2 in over/under as underdogs in their last seven regular season games of 2025.
• In all games last regular season, they went 4-2 in over/under.
• The team performed 4-2 in over/under for home games in the last regular season.
• After a loss, they were 4-2 in over/under in their last six games.
• For games with totals ≤ 42, they went 4-2 in over/under last regular season.
• Against the spread after a loss, they were 6-5 in their last eleven games.
• In all games against the spread, they went 2-1 in their last three regular season games.
• As underdogs against the spread, they were 2-1 in their last three regular season games.
• For home games against the spread, they also went 2-1 in their last three regular season games.

Miami Dolphins Gear Up for 2026 Season Opener Against Raiders

Offensive Overview

The Miami Dolphins' offensive performance last season ranked near the bottom of the league in several key areas. They averaged 20.4 points per game, placing them 22nd overall, and their total offensive yards per game stood at 300.7, ranking 25th. Their passing game also struggled, with 180.5 passing yards per game, putting them 25th in the league.

Despite these challenges, their rushing attack showed promise, ranking 12th with an average of 120.2 rushing yards per game. As the Dolphins enter the 2026 season, they will look to build on their ground game to provide a more balanced offensive threat.

Defensive Challenges

Defensively, the Dolphins had a challenging 2025 season, allowing 24.9 points per game, ranking them 23rd. They gave up 348.8 yards per game, which ranked 22nd in the league, and their run defense was particularly vulnerable, allowing 132.4 rushing yards per game, placing them 26th.

The Dolphins' pass defense was slightly better, giving up 216.4 passing yards per game, ranking 18th. They will aim to improve these defensive statistics as they face the Raiders in their season opener.

Key Players to Watch

De'Von Achane is a player to watch, coming off a strong 2025 season with 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. His ability to break open big plays will be crucial for the Dolphins' offensive success.

On defense, Josh Uche leads the charge as a key pass rusher. Uche's ability to pressure the quarterback will be vital in containing the Raiders' offensive threats.

Injury Concerns

The Dolphins enter the season with several injury concerns. Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Zach Sieler are both questionable, which could impact the defense's effectiveness if they are unable to play.

Cole Turner and Jamaree Salyer are out for the season, and their absence could be felt in both the offensive line and tight end positions.

Betting Trends

• The Dolphins are 3-0 straight up as favorites in their last three regular season games in 2025.
• In away games, they had a 5-1-1 record against the over/under in their last seven games in 2025.
• Following a loss, the Dolphins went 5-2 against the spread in their last seven regular season games in 2025.
• Overall, they went 5-3 straight up in their last eight regular season games in 2025.
• The Dolphins covered the spread in 8 out of their last 15 regular season games in 2025.

Raiders vs Dolphins Prediction: Raiders -3.5

The Miami Dolphins struggled offensively last season, ranking 24th in scoring and 26th in total offensive yards. Their defense also allowed nearly 25 points per game, which ranked them 23rd. These stats suggest the Dolphins might continue to face difficulties on both sides of the ball in this matchup.

On the other side, the Las Vegas Raiders, despite being ranked 31st in scoring last season, will have the home-field advantage at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders' defense showed some promise, ranking 14th in opponent offensive yards. This gives them an edge over the Dolphins' relatively inefficient offense.

Historically, the Dolphins have had the upper hand in their recent head-to-head matchups against the Raiders. However, the Raiders are favored by -3.5 points, which reflects confidence in their ability to start the 2026 season strong. Given the Dolphins' defensive vulnerabilities and the Raiders playing at home, the Raiders are expected to cover the spread.

With the Raiders coming in as favorites, a projected score of Raiders 24 - Dolphins 17 aligns with the expectations of a solid performance from Las Vegas. The under 40.5 total is also a reasonable outcome considering both teams' offensive struggles in the previous season.

• Raiders vs Dolphins Prediction: Raiders -3.5
• Raiders vs Dolphins Score: Raiders 24 - Dolphins 17

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