Raiders beat Dolphins 27–13: Jeanty carries the passing plan too

Result update — 14 September 2026, 04:00 CAT cycle (UTC+02:00)

The Raiders beat Miami 27–13 on 13 September with Brock Bowers on their official inactive list. His absence is now confirmed for this game; the earlier estimate below remains a reported recovery expectation, not a confirmed return date.

Ashton Jeanty provided a direct answer to part of the receiving problem. The Raiders’ post-game offensive assessment records 102 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. A back who remains useful in both phases lets the offence ask different questions without making his presence an announcement of one play type.

The club’s game recap describes a 93-yard opening touchdown drive, ending with Kirk Cousins finding Jack Bech. Jeanty then caught two 13-yard touchdowns; the second came on play action after Miami had narrowed the score to 17–13. That is a practical example of extending the passing work beyond the absent tight end.

The caution is that the receiving plan did not create every advantage. Miami’s report records the long kick return before that response touchdown. Las Vegas also benefited from five sacks and held Miami to two conversions in ten third-down attempts, according to the Raiders’ recap. Cousins threw two second-half interceptions, so the win leaves decisions to improve.

Our earlier preference for a credible run and short pass from the same personnel now has a useful example. It still needs repetition when returns offer less favourable field position or an opponent closes Jeanty’s first route. The next test is whether another receiver remains available without weakening protection. This result does not establish that Bowers’ full workload has been replaced.

Original pre-match assessment — 10 September 2026

Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim on Tuesday and is expected to miss one or two games, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on 9 September. Las Vegas hosts Miami on Sunday, 13 September. The reported absence is an expectation, not a confirmed return date.

The Raiders’ official Wednesday injury report lists Bowers as not participating because of a knee injury. Its game-status column is still blank. The same report lists Ashton Jeanty as a full participant despite an ankle entry; a practice designation alone does not settle final availability.

Keep the formation useful for more than one play

Our priority without Bowers would be preserving a credible run and short passing threat from the same group of players. Replacing a receiving tight end with a blocker on every running play and an extra wide receiver on every pass risks making the personnel change an advance warning to Miami.

The receiving work can instead be divided. A back releasing underneath can occupy a defender while a receiver crosses behind him; a tight end can provide an outlet without being asked to reproduce Bowers’ entire workload. Each assignment needs to leave the quarterback a second option if the first is covered.

There is a cost: sending a back into a route removes a possible protector. The aim should be selected combinations that the available players can execute, rather than more routes on every snap. The final injury report and Las Vegas’ opening personnel choices will provide the next test of that plan.

More NFL reporting and analysis.