As the NFL season charges into Week 2 on this September 14, 2026, the Las Vegas Raiders are already making noise. Behind a dominant performance from second-year running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders dismantled the Miami Dolphins 27-13 on Sunday, signaling a potential turning point for a franchise that has long been mired in mediocrity. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Jeanty’s 102-yard rushing effort on 23 carries, paired with two receiving touchdowns, showcased exactly why the Raiders selected him at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft.
From Injury Concerns to On-Field Dominance
Jeanty’s path to Sunday’s breakout wasn’t without obstacles. An ankle injury sidelined him for much of the summer, raising questions about his readiness for the 2026 campaign. But the former Boise State standout showed no rust, slicing through Miami’s defense with explosive cuts and relentless physicality. His dual-threat ability was on full display, as he hauled in both of his touchdowns through the air—a facet of his game that Raiders coaches have been eager to exploit.
“The past is the past,” Jeanty said in a postgame press conference. “We’re moving forward, and we’re not worried about what happened last year. This is a new team, new staff, and we’re building a new culture here. And that’s a culture that’s going to win football games.”
That culture shift is exactly what head coach Klint Kubiak and his staff have been preaching since the offseason. After a dismal 3-14 record in 2025, the Raiders underwent a significant overhaul, bringing in fresh leadership and a renewed emphasis on accountability and toughness. Sunday’s win over a perennial playoff contender in Miami suggests the message is resonating.
Avoiding the Week 1 Trap
Raiders fans have seen this movie before. Last season, an upset victory over the New England Patriots in Week 1 under then-head coach Pete Carroll sparked premature optimism, only for the team to drop four straight and spiral to one of the league’s worst records. This time, the approach feels different. Kubiak’s offense is built around a punishing run game, and Jeanty is the engine. As highlighted on Vulius, the Raiders’ commitment to feeding their star back—he touched the ball 25 times on Sunday—demonstrates a clear identity that was absent a year ago.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” Kubiak told reporters after the game. “We’re building something here, and it starts with the guys in the locker room believing in each other. Ashton is a huge part of that, but it’s a collective effort.”
What’s Next for the Silver and Black
The Raiders will look to keep the momentum going as they prepare for a tough stretch of games. If Jeanty can stay healthy and continue to produce at this level, Las Vegas might finally have the offensive centerpiece it has lacked since the days of Josh Jacobs. For a franchise desperate to escape the shadow of its past, Jeanty’s emergence couldn’t come at a better time.
As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the Raiders can sustain this newfound success. But for now, the message from the locker room is clear: this is a new era in Las Vegas, and Ashton Jeanty is leading the charge.
“We’re building a new culture here. And that’s a culture that’s going to win football games.” — Ashton Jeanty
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