Raiders vs Dolphins: match preview on 13 September 2026

Raiders win at home on Sunday. Miami’s defence has collapsed, conceding 63 points in three games. The Raiders have one loss on their record but have allowed fewer points in that single game than the Dolphins have in three. That gives them the edge.

The Raiders' only recorded match ended 12-18 at home against the 49ers. The Dolphins have been worse, losing 12-17 to the Falcons, 3-26 to the Giants, and 7-20 to the Commanders. Their scoring has dropped from 12 points in the first game to 3 in the second and 7 in the third. The Dolphins are struggling to score consistently, and their defence is letting in points at a rate of 21 per game on average.

Kyle Van Noy has left the Dolphins for the Vikings, but that is a roster change rather than a match-day absence. The Raiders have signed Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback, and their stadium received a $75 million upgrade.

The Raiders have not faced the Dolphins in any recorded meeting, so there is no head-to-head history to draw on. Their home advantage is the only contextual factor available. The Dolphins have played all three of their matches at home except one away fixture against the Commanders, where they lost 7-20. They have not won anywhere, at home or away, over the past month.

A Raiders victory at around 18-12 is likely. The Dolphins' attack has struggled to produce more than 12 points in any single game, and their defence has conceded heavily in every match. The Raiders have shown they can score against NFL opposition, even in a loss. Miami must score 17 to stay alive.

Miami’s offence must wake up. If the Raiders' defence performs closer to their level against the 49ers rather than the Commanders, the result stands.