Raiders Get Softer Chargers Team In First Divisional Matchup

The Las Vegas Raiders enjoyed an easy matchup against the Miami Dolphins, which are expected to be the worst team in the National Football League this year, during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Just like last year, the Raiders opened the season with a win over an American Football Conference East team (20-13 over the New England Patriots) but did so without star tight end Brock Bowers, who underwent a knee cleaning procedure just before the season began.

It was the Ashton Jeanty show – the second-year running back went off for 102 rushing yards on 23 carries as well as leading the way in the passing game with six receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t extremely efficient, but the upgrades to the offensive line allowed him to surpass his rookie year average of 3.7 yards per carry.

Las Vegas’ defense stepped up, too, sacking Miami quarterback Malik Willis five times for a loss of 35 yards and limiting him to 15 completions for 220 yards and an interception. Star RB De’Von Achane rushed 11 times for just 36 yards, so the defensive front of the Raiders was able to limit the running and passing game.

The Los Angeles Chargers will welcome the Raiders in Week 2, and though a much tougher matchup and divisional opponent, the Chargers will be weaker on offense with the presumed loss of wide receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey was drilled in the ribs on a hospital ball thrown by quarterback Justin Herbert in their Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

That benefits the Raiders tremendously, as McConkey is the clear WR1 in Los Angeles’ offense and the go-to target out of the slot. The Chargers’ interior offensive line is atrocious, which bodes well for the defensive line that thrived against a weak Dolphins O-line last week.

The Chargers can get to the QB well despite only sacking Jacoby Brissett once, so veteran Kirk Cousins will need to be quick on his 38-year-old feet to avoid the pressure. He will need to get the ball out early and stick to what worked well in Week 1: dump the ball off to Jeanty and let him run.

This is the best Raiders team we’ve seen in a while and starting 2-0 would go a long way. Playoffs aren’t expected, but stranger things have happened. It’s been five years since Las Vegas started a season 2-0.