Dolphins won’t face Bowers Week 1 & that will help
The Miami Dolphins open the 2026 season Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, and when I break this game down by the matchups that matter most, I see Miami coming away with the win.
It starts with something Dolphins fans haven’t been able to say very often: Miami may be the more physical team when you add both sides of the trenches together. Raiders have a quality offensive line and running back group, but they are beat up on their defensive edges and lack talent on their defensive line except for super star Maxx Crosby.
Dolphins are also getting a boost with star tight end Brock Bower missing the game due to injury. This is the perfect chance for the Dolphins to come out physical and kick off the start of this new regime with a win.
Dolphins O-line MUST Drive them to a Win
The biggest advantage is inside. Kadyn Proctor and Aaron Brewer give Miami a significant matchup advantage against a Raiders defensive interior that lacks size and depth. Add Patrick Paul and blocking tight end Will Kacmarek, and Miami should have the personnel to attack Las Vegas on the ground rather than asking Malik Willis to carry the offense.
You can bet with the best pay per head that there is one enormous problem: Maxx Crosby.
Austin Jackson against Crosby is the matchup that scares me most, and Miami cannot allow Crosby to wreck the game. The Raiders can move him around, meaning Patrick Paul will see him as well. Miami needs to remain patient, run the football and avoid obvious passing situations where Crosby can simply pin his ears back.
If Miami does that, I think the Dolphins can gradually beat this defense down. De’Von Achane provides the explosive element, while Willis adds another problem with his legs. Play-action, rollouts and Willis’ ability to scramble could eventually force Las Vegas to devote another defender to the quarterback, further stressing a defense that doesn’t have many matchup advantages outside Crosby.
The other side is closer.
Phins Secondary Is a Concern, But Front has Enough to Check Vegas
Las Vegas has a respectable offensive line and a running game that concerns me. Miami’s job is to control the A and B gaps with Jordan Phillips and Zach Sieler, allowing Jordyn Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez to stay clean behind them. If Miami can force the Raiders’ running backs toward the edges, that’s where the real test comes. Chop Robinson and Josh Uche cannot allow those edges to collapse.
The absence of Brock Bowers changes that equation considerably. Without Bowers paired with Michael Mayer, Vegas loses a major piece of the dual-tight-end threat that could have stressed Miami’s linebackers and safeties.
That’s ultimately why I favor Miami.
Run the football. Control the interior. Protect Willis from Crosby. Don’t let Vegas consistently get outside the defense.
If Miami accomplishes those four things, I think Achane eventually breaks a couple of big runs, Willis creates problems off play-action, and the Dolphins’ front makes life increasingly difficult for Kirk Cousins.
This doesn’t need to be a 400-yard offensive explosion. It can be the boa-constrictor game—stay patient, stay physical and gradually squeeze the Raiders out of it.
