Rookie Head Coaching Battle Goes to Klint Kubiak

In the head-to-head matchup of inaugural NFL Coaching Debuts, the Las Vegas Raiders Klint Kubiak got the win over the Miami Dolphins Jeff Hafley, 27-13. The Raiders led from their first drive with the Dolphins threatening but falling short.

Missed Opportunities

Running back Jaylen Wright gave Miami a boost with a kickoff return for 79 yards to set the Dolphins up inside Las Vegas’ 20-yard line. The drive ended with a missed 41-yard field goal attempt. That was Miami’s last decent scoring threat.

Key Stats

Malik Willis finished 15-of-27 passing (55.6 pct.) for 220 yards and added five carries for 39 rushing yards and a score. Running back De’Von Achane had 11 carries for 36 yards. Caleb Douglas led Dolphin receivers with 94 yards on 5 receptions. Defensively, Jacob Rodriguez finished with a team-high 14 total tackles (five solo) while Chris Johnson contributed 11 total (five solo) and two pass deflections.

The Dolphins tallied only 13 first downs while allowing the Raiders 21. Miami struggled on third down converting only 2-of-10 and didn’t convert the one fourth down try. As a team, the Dolphins had 74 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

What They’re Saying – Post Game Comments

Rookie linebacker coined a new phrase in his first NFL season press conference.

“We have to be able to stop the run to get them into third and pass.”

On quarterback Malik Willis, “I thought he made some great plays with his legs and made some really good passes,” said Coach Hafley.

On his special teams:

“We need to play better on teams. We have to clean those things up.”

On his rookies’ first game.

“If you look at how many rookies we had playing in this game, a lot of them responded,” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said. “They just kept swinging.”

Malik Willis on his performance.

“I think it could be way cleaner, obviously. We’ve got to watch the film and see exactly what went on.”

On taking responsibility for the sacks.

“I’ve got to take care of the ball and I’ve got to do right by my offensive line and get the ball out. It takes all 11. I’ve got to make sure the receivers are in the right spot and make sure I’m doing the right thing and the backs are doing the right thing but you can put the sacks on me.”