Overview
- The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins 27-13 in Week 1 while relying on a strong running game and short passing to secure the win.
- Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, a performance that moved him past John Elway on the NFL career touchdown list.
- TruMedia stats showed Cousins was 20-for-23 on throws of 10 yards or less but just 1-for-7 on passes over 10 yards, and both interceptions came on longer throws that coach Klint Kubiak called "avoidable mistakes."
- Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, remained the active backup under a staged development plan and was told by Kubiak to learn about the faster NFL pocket and quicker decision-making.
- Coaches will use the coming games and offensive-line play as the main tests for the plan, with Week 2 and protection against stronger pass rushes likely to influence any decision about moving Mendoza into the lineup.