After finishing their preseason with an 0-3 record and getting outscored 63-22, the Miami Dolphins are turning their attention to their regular season, which begins with a road battle against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Miami's Week 1 opponent finished with just three wins in 2025, which was the worst record in the league and landed them the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft. With pick No. 1 overall, the Raiders took Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is coming off of a national championship run with the Hoosiers.
While most top picks play in their first game, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced on Wednesday that they're going with the veteran, Kirk Cousins, as their starter to kickoff the season.
Cousins, 38, has been a successful quarterback in the league since Washington took him in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. In 14 seasons, he's made four Pro Bowls and has completed 66.7% of his passes for 44,700 yards with 298 touchdowns and 131 interceptions.
Since tearing his Achilles in 2023, Cousins has slowed down a bit, completing 65% of his passes for 5,229 yards with 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 22 starts for the Atlanta Falcons, while leading the team to 12-10 record.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins won't face No. 1 overall pick in season opener