In a thrilling season opener, the Las Vegas Raiders narrowly defeated the Miami Dolphins 23-20, kicking off the 2026 season with a hard-fought victory. Both teams showcased their talent, but it was the Raiders who ultimately prevailed in this tightly contested matchup. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza led the way for Las Vegas, throwing for an impressive 313 yards, while Dylan Laube added 84 rushing yards to keep the Dolphins' defense on their toes. Tre Tucker was a standout in the receiving game, racking up 120 yards and proving to be a reliable target for Mendoza as the Raiders built their offense. Defensively, the Raiders made key plays that shifted the momentum, highlighted by Keyron Crawford's remarkable 2.5 sacks, which put pressure on the Dolphins' offense throughout the game. The turning point came in the fourth quarter when the Raiders' defense stifled a Dolphins drive, allowing Las Vegas to maintain their slim lead and ultimately secure the win.