How to Watch Raiders vs. Dolphins: Kickoff Time, Streams and Radio for NFL Week 1
The NFL's 107th season is underway, and this Week 1 matchup marks the first game as head coaches for both Jeff Hafley and Klint Kubiak. It also gives new starting quarterbacks Malik Willis and Kirk Cousins their first starts with their new teams. Here is how to watch, stream and listen, plus the storylines that should shape the game.
Where to watch and listen
Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. FOX carries the broadcast, with Chris Meyers on play-by-play, Mark Schlereth as the color analyst and Jen Hale on the sideline, according to the Miami Dolphins' how-to-watch guide. Fans can also stream the game on NFL+.
The official Dolphins radio options include the team's English-language network on BIG 105.9 FM (WBGG) and WINZ 940 AM, with Jimmy Cefalo, Joe Rose and Kim Bokamper on the call. Spanish-language coverage airs on WTZU-HD2 94.9 FM with Roly Martin and Eduardo Martell. Nationally, ESPN Radio has the game with Chris Carlin and Kelly Stouffer.
FOX Sports, which posted a preview of the matchup, lists FOX One, FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App as streaming destinations, with a three-day free trial available.
Two new head coaches, two new starting quarterbacks
Hafley came to Miami from Green Bay, where he had been the defensive coordinator, and he brought Willis with him. Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal and gets the starting nod in Miami's opener. Cousins, meanwhile, joined the Raiders on a one-year, $11.3 million contract and will start despite Las Vegas picking Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, per FOX Sports.
Kubiak's Raiders spent heavily in the offseason, committing $281 million in free agency, according to the same FOX Sports report. The biggest investment areas were defense and the offensive line, including All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum.
A rebuilt Raiders defense
Las Vegas' defensive spending went into a unit that finished 25th in points allowed last season at 25.4 per game, according to the Miami Dolphins' game preview. The Raiders added linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, defensive end Kwity Paye and nickel back Taron Johnson.
The anchor remains defensive end Maxx Crosby, the longest-tenured Raider. Crosby has 69.5 sacks over seven seasons and is a five-time Pro Bowler who commands constant attention.
One notable absence for Las Vegas: All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers was reported to be out for the game with a knee injury. The Dolphins' game preview flagged the midweek news as a complication for the Raiders' offense.
What Miami has to fix
Miami's biggest issue last season was stopping the run. The Dolphins allowed 2,251 rushing yards, ranking 26th in the NFL at 132.4 yards per game, per the FOX Sports preview. That weakness lines up against a Raiders offensive line that ranked among the league's worst last season, though Linderbaum's arrival changes the picture.
The opener gives both teams an early read on whether their offseason gambles work. Willis and Cousins are the immediate focus, but the line of scrimmage, where Crosby hunts and Miami tries to plug its run defense, may decide the game.