Pressure Point: Rebuilding Dolphins stumble in opener, face rough road to respectability

This Miami Dolphins season of low expectations, which began with a 27-13 defeat Sunday at Las Vegas, is somewhat of a misnomer.

Certainly, it applies to matters of wins and any talk of playoff potential. Neither on the radar.

But there is every reason to begin looking for indications this woebegone franchise may have finally gotten it right with the latest general manager, coach and quarterback after so many swings and misses.

Sunday provided the first real opportunity to assess the approach of GM Jon-Erik Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley for turning this mess around. Specifically, regarding initial decisions on quarterback and the draft.

To seize on a positive, third-round wide receiver Caleb Douglas impressed the most with five catches for 94 yards. He had receptions of 25 and 30 yards to set up two field goals in the first half.

On defense, inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez led the team with 14 tackles, five solo including an emphatic rodeo-style takedown.

It was a nice gesture for the Miami Dolphins to send all season ticket holders a jersey, but after what I've seen today, they should have bought them a house. pic.twitter.com/XVyzwsPB5J

— Neal Driscoll (@NealDriscoll) September 13, 2026

Malik Willis’ debut brings mixed results

In his first start, Malik Willis showed mobility that has been lacking in Dolphins quarterbacks on a 14-yard touchdown scramble that cut the deficit to 17-13 early in the third quarter.

As a passer, Willis was pedestrian: 15 of 27 for 220 yards and a 66.9 passer rating. He was sacked five times, some of them due to inability to find an open receiver.

Willis’ touchdown run cashed in a turnover after rookie safety Michael Taaffe intercepted Kirk Cousins on the first possession of the second half.

It took only five plays following a 50-yard kickoff return for the Raiders to respond and push the lead to 24-13.

Willis was then intercepted on an overthrow, and hope for a competitive second half quickly vanished.

That sequence showcased major shortcomings of the NFL’s youngest team, which has 13 rookies.

My expectations for the Dolphins were low but my God. That second half was brutal across the board. The playcalling was atrocious. Mistakes, penalties, the starting tackles. Two really bad teams but hard to see where Miami gets a win.

— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) September 13, 2026

Most concerning was abysmal run defense and the absence of a pass rush. Raiders backs were getting to the second level untouched. The recurring image was white Dolphins jerseys being pushed backward.

Las Vegas had an advantage in rushing yards of 130 to 74. Ashton Jeanty had 102 yards for Las Vegas.

The physicality that coach Jeff Hafley has stressed was conspicuously lacking.

Top passer rusher Chop Robinson was a nonfactor as Miami failed to record a sack.

In addition, Miami’s kick coverage was awful, repeatedly giving the Raiders favorable field position to begin possessions.

Dolphins dominated at line of scrimmage

The Raiders’ dominance in every phase of the game was stunning, considering the Raiders are another rebuilding team with a new coach that is coming off a league-worst 3-14 season.

This was one of very few apparently winnable games for a young, rebuilding Miami team saddled with the second-toughest schedule based on last year’s records.

The road ahead is inhabited by far scarier beasts. The young Dolphins made the Raiders look like Super Bowl contenders.

Miami’s veterans didn’t distinguish themselves either. The three most experienced offensive linemen, Aaron Brewer, Austin Jackson and Patrick Paul, were each flagged for a major penalty.

Jaylen Wright provided a bright moment for Dolphins special teams with a 79-yard kickoff return. Hope for a rally vanished quickly in discouraging fashion. De’Von Achane was held to two short gains, Willis took a sack, and Riley Patterson missed a 41-yard field goal attempt.

2nd TD on rookie Chris Johnson Jr. today.

Johnson got shook by Jeanty and gave him inside leverage.

Welcome to the NFL moment for the Dolphins rookie pic.twitter.com/bL6OiJnuKp

— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) September 13, 2026

Achane finds little running room

I started out focusing on the offensive line, specifically the guards: No. 1 draft pick Kadyn Proctor on the left and second-year Jonah Savaiinaea back at his college position on the right.

Beefing up the offensive line to lead a run-first offense was the offseason objective. There wasn’t much running room for Achane, who averaged 3.3 yards on 11 carries.

Safety Dante Trader Jr. also had a pick in the second half. Safety has been regarded as a trouble spot. So good work by Taffee and Trader.

Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson, second of two Dolphins 2026 first-round picks, was beaten for two touchdowns, though.

Overall, it was tough to find much encouraging from the debut of the Hafley-Sullivan era.

I am grateful for change, though. I couldn’t have watched another season of the Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier, Tua Tagovailoa triumvirate. They never failed to disappoint.

The obvious conclusion is growth for the new regime is going to be slow and painful. Unfortunately, it figures to be difficult to watch.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.