Raiders, Dolphins Set for 2026 Season Opener

5 sourcesUpdated Sep 13, 2026

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The Las Vegas Raiders host the Miami Dolphins in the opening Sunday of the 2026 NFL season, with FOX broadcasting the 4:25 p.m. ET matchup. Both teams are rebuilding after disappointing 2025 seasons, but Las Vegas is viewed as the stronger team after an aggressive offseason and the hiring of first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, while Miami missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year and has undergone extensive offensive turnover. The Raiders will be without All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers because of a knee procedure, but running back Ashton Jeanty is expected to play and could share a heavy workload with Mike Washington Jr. Key matchups include Las Vegas edge rusher Maxx Crosby against Miami’s rushing attack led by De’Von Achane, as well as tight end Michael Mayer’s expanded role and rookie safety Treydan Stukes’ debut as a starter. The game represents an early test of whether the Raiders’ new coaching structure and roster can establish greater stability, while Miami will seek to challenge expectations that it is among the league’s weakest teams.

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2026 NFL season kicks off: Week 1 matchups and team outlooksstory 41 of 48 · since Sep 4, 2026

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In Melbourne, the 49ers-Rams game drew a massive crowd as De’Zhaun Stribling was carted off with an ankle injury in his NFL debut, highlighting the excitement and risk of the league’s first-ever Australia game. Across the pre-game ceremonies, fans criticized Infinity Song’s rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner while some praised Cody Simpson’s Australian anthem and the Black National Anthem performance by the Mwango Sisters sparked a broader debate on national-anthem traditions in the NFL.

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The Carolina Panthers, buoyed by Bryce Young’s continued development and a strengthened supporting cast, are aiming to build on last season’s playoff push with more decisive leadership and a retooled offense. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears and Panthers, linked by the 2023 draft swap that brought Young to Carolina, prepare for a Week 1 showdown in 2026 that pits Young’s progress against Caleb Williams’ burgeoning stardom, underscoring how the trade reshaped both franchises.

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Rams’ Myles Garrett Set for Surgery, IR Stint

Los Angeles Rams star edge rusher Myles Garrett will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and be placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four games with a return potentially in four weeks. The quartet of upcoming matchups includes the Giants, Broncos, Eagles and Bills, with a possible return as soon as Week 5 or Week 6 after the operation.

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