Full Breakdown
Raiders-Dolphins Week 1 Clash: Maxx Crosby, “Hothead” Remarks, and What’s at Stake
9/9/2026, 12:15:07 PM
Core Event
The Las Vegas Raiders open the 2026 season at home against the Miami Dolphins. Defensive end Max Crosby, an All-Pro pass rusher who returned after a failed trade to the Baltimore Ravens because of a meniscus tear, will face Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul in the season-opening matchup. Paul publicly described Crosby as a “hothead” and said the Dolphins’ strategy is to “get him off his game” before the first-quarter kickoff.
Background & Context
Crosby was drafted by the Raiders eight seasons ago and has amassed 69.5 sacks, the sixth-most in the NFL since 2019. Earlier in the offseason, the Ravens withdrew from a trade after medical concerns, leaving Crosby back with Las Vegas. The Dolphins entered the season after a coaching change that ended Mike McDaniel’s tenure and a roster overhaul that includes rookie quarterback Malik Willis. Both teams feature new coaching staff: Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (in his first season) and Dolphins staff under a new offensive coordinator.
Data & Statistics
- Max Crosby: 69.5 career sacks (sixth-most league-wide since 2019).
- Raiders 2025 record: 3-14 (tied for worst in the NFL).
- Dolphins 2025 record: 7-10.
- Raiders preseason: 0-3 record heading into the regular season.
Official Statements & Responses
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak emphasized that practice intensity remains unchanged but that the team’s focus has narrowed to the Dolphins as the primary opponent. General manager John Spytek said every roster “room” is expected to improve and that the organization is demanding higher performance across the board.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I feel like, yeah, he's a hothead,” — Patrick Paul
- “Absolutely, practice changes. There's more team periods. We still do a lot of competitive periods every day, but as far as the intensity of practice and our expectations, those don't change. You just have a narrowed focus on a new opponent,” — Klint Kubiak, raiders head coach
- “We're always constantly trying to get every room better, and I know Klint [Kubiak] told you guys a week or two ago that more is expected, but I would say every room more is expected,” — John Spytek, raiders general manager
- “Injuries are the hardest part and the worst part of the game, probably. But I will say if someone's got to overcome it, I mean, you guys probably saw some of the film in the preseason and some of the things that attracted us to Keyron [Crawford] as a prospect,” — Brian Stark, assistant general manager
What’s Next
The Raiders and Dolphins will meet on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Both squads will use the game to gauge how well new personnel and coaching adjustments translate to on-field performance. The outcome will set the tone for each team’s early-season trajectory and may influence how aggressively the Raiders rely on Crosby’s pass-rush against a Dolphins offensive line that has already labeled him a “hothead.”
