Klint Kubiak’s 1st victory: Raiders win in the trenches, play ‘clean football’

Klint Kubiak celebrated his first victory as head coach after the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 27‑13 in front of a sellout crowd at Allegiant Stadium. Before heading to the locker room, Kubiak leapt two feet to high‑five a fan who had reached out with an outstretched arm. The Raiders had been anticipating his arrival. Following the game, wide receivers coach John Spytek presented Kubiak with a game ball to commemorate his inaugural head‑coaching win, prompting a round of cheers from the staff and players. “Little bit of contentment in the league when you win your first game, you get a game ball,” said quarterback Kirk Cousins, who played under Kubiak when the latter served as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. “Hopefully many more ahead, but you always remember that first win. It was a team win. So many phases of football and people contribute, and that’s the way Klint wants it to be and it should be right here.” Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards, throwing three touchdowns while also being intercepted twice. Running back Ashton Jeanty rushed for 102 yards and added 45 receiving yards, catching two of the touchdown passes. Las Vegas limited Miami to two conversions on ten third‑down attempts and neutralized the Dolphins’ rushing attack, which had been viewed as a potential strength entering the season. De’Von Achane carried the ball 11 times for 36 yards, and Malik Willis, who finished 15‑of‑27 for 220 yards, was sacked five times and had his rushing score nullified by a defensive penalty. “Really appreciative of the guys,” Kubiak said moments after his postgame remarks. “It’s great to share this moment with them, but we know we have 16 more. One at a time.” The victory stemmed from several key factors: **Re‑built offensive line creates lanes:** The revamped offensive line, featuring newly acquired center Tyler Linderbaum, guard Spencer Burford and veteran tackle Kolton Miller, opened running lanes for Jeanty. Unlike the previous season when he was often swarmed at the point of attack, Jeanty found space to cut behind the line, aided by rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., who contributed seven carries for 41 yards. Together the duo produced 143 yards on 30 carries. Cousins avoided a sack, and his first‑half touchdown passes—a 15‑yard strike to Jack Bech and a 13‑yard toss to Jeanty—gave Las Vegas a 17‑6 halftime lead. “The running game just kept us in favorable downs and distances throughout much of the contest,” Cousins noted. “The way we ran the ball to start the game made everything easier. It opened up a lot of the rest of our offense. Anytime we can run the ball like that, it puts us with a wind at our back… Great protection, that’s what we love to see.” Jackson Powers‑Johnson lined up beside defensive tackle DJ Glaze, while Linderbaum anchored the middle, providing mobility to the unit. “We ran the ball well. We were effective. We can still keep getting better,” Kubiak added. “But I saw the same guys I saw in practice, so they’re taking shape to the field.” **Defense dominates the trenches:** Las Vegas’ defensive front stifled Achane and pressured Willis, who occasionally broke contain but failed to generate a meaningful rush or pass. Edge rusher Kwity Paye recorded two sacks, while Maxx Crosby added 1.5. Linebacker Nakobe Dean sacked Willis from his position, and Malcolm Koonce contributed a half‑sack from the edge. The secondary remained tight in coverage, allowing the Raiders to dictate the tempo. Rookie safety Treydan Stukes recorded an interception on a deep ball. Dean teamed with linebacker Quay Walker to stop Achane for a one‑yard loss on a third‑and‑1 play that stalled near the red zone, ultimately forcing a field goal attempt. Crosby handed the game ball to defensive coordinator Rob Leonard alongside Kubiak. “Everyone played their role,” Crosby said. “Obviously, on the back end they did a great job… Our DBs and linebackers flying around and being on the same page. It’s just playing together, playing as one.” **Efficient, clean football:** After a preseason plagued by penalties, Las Vegas committed only 29 penalty yards while gaining 61 yards from Miami’s infractions. Kubiak and his assistants have stressed disciplined execution since training camp ended, a focus that showed against the Dolphins. By avoiding gifts of first downs and not hindering their own offense with procedural mistakes, the Raiders held the ball roughly ten minutes longer than Miami. “That was one of the main goals, to play clean football,” cornerback Eric Stokes said. “Don’t have any first‑game butterflies, no first‑game mishaps and all that stuff. So just play clean football and don’t just try to beat ourselves. That was our main focus.” The Raiders will next face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on the following Sunday.