MIAMI — Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas set a franchise record with 94 receiving yards in his Dolphins debut, but Miami (0-1) couldn’t overcome early deficits in a 27-13 season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0).
Douglas hauled in 5 receptions, including a 25-yard grab that set up Miami’s first points — a 41-yard field goal by kicker Riley Patterson that cut the Raiders’ lead to 10-3. He added another deep catch late in the first half that helped set up Patterson’s 37-yarder, trimming the deficit to 17-6 at the break. But the Dolphins offense stalled too often around him, converting drives into field goals instead of touchdowns.
Quarterback Malik Willis finished 15-of-27 passing (55.6 pct.) for 220 yards and added five carries for 39 rushing yards, including a 14-yard scramble for his first touchdown as a Dolphin that narrowed the gap to 17-13 in the third quarter. Running back De’Von Achane managed just 36 yards on 11 carries against a stout Raiders front.
Las Vegas controlled the game early with a 16-play, 93-yard opening drive capped by quarterback Kirk Cousins connecting with receiver Jack Bech for a touchdown. Running back Ashton Jeanty carried five times for 25 yards on that possession and later caught two touchdown passes from Cousins, giving the Raiders a 24-13 cushion they never relinquished.
Miami’s rookie class showed flashes beyond Douglas. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the only rookie in the league with green dot privileges to call defensive plays, led the team with 14 total tackles, including five solo. Safety Michael Taaffe intercepted Cousins to open the second half, setting up Willis’ rushing touchdown. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson added 11 total tackles and two pass deflections, including a pass breakup on first-and-goal that helped limit Las Vegas to a field goal. Safety Dante Trader Jr. added a second interception of Cousins later in the fourth quarter.
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler recorded a tackle in his 100th consecutive game, the longest active streak among NFL defensive linemen. Running back Jaylen Wright provided a spark with a 79-yard kickoff return that put Miami inside the Las Vegas 20-yard line, but Patterson missed the ensuing 41-yard field goal attempt — a sequence that encapsulated the Dolphins’ inability to capitalize.
Miami remains on the West Coast for a Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 4:25 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium.