Kirk Cousins hits 301 career TD passes as Raiders open the season with a 27-13 win over Dolphins

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kirk Cousins became the 15th quarterback to throw at least 300 touchdown passes in his career after tossing three on Sunday to lead the Las Vegas Raiders to a 27-13 season-opening victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Two of his TD passes went to running back Ashton Jeanty, who also rushed for 102 yards and caught six passes for 45 more. This was the third career 100-yard game for Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft who showed no ill effects of an ankle injury he suffered on Aug. 23.

Cousins, making his first start for the Raiders after being acquired in the offseason from Atlanta, completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards, though he was intercepted twice. He has 301 touchdown passes for his career, moving into 14th and one TD ahead of John Elway.

Cousins is the first Raiders quarterback to throw at least three TDs in the opener since Kerry Collins in 2005 against New England.

The Raiders totaled 290 yards in their first game under coach Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator on Seattle's Super Bowl-championship team last season. It was a noticeable improvement for an offense that last season was last in the league in yardage (245.2 per game) and scoring (14.2 points).

But Las Vegas is about to embark on a six-game gauntlet against teams such as Kansas City, Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams that will test how much the offense truly has improved.

The Dolphins, the league's youngest team with an average age of 25.5, weren't much of a test. But expectations are high for Miami this season under first-year coach Jeff Hafley.

Malik Willis, under pressure much of the game, passed for 220 yards with an interception. He was sacked five times, with 1 1/2 by Maxx Crosby, who became the third Raider to record at least 70 for his career since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

Las Vegas never trailed in taking advantage of a rare true home-field advantage. The Raiders used a 16-play, 93-yard opening drive that ate up 8:58 to take a 7-0 lead. They had just one TD drive of 90-plus yards all last season.

They led 17-3 at one point before the Dolphins cut the advantage to 17-13 early in the third quarter. But then Dylan Laube returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to midfield to set up Cousins' 13-yard scoring pass to Jeanty to again assume control.

Dolphins: LB Ronnie Harrison Jr. (hamstring) was injured in the second half.

Raiders: CB Darien Porter (undisclosed) was injured in the fourth quarter.

Dolphins: Visit San Francisco on Sunday.

Raiders: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) runs from Miami Dolphins cornerback Juju Brents during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with teammate quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

NEW YORK (AP) — Trinity Rodman made it from the soccer pitch to the tennis court in time to watch boyfriend Ben Shelton in the U.S. Open final.

Shelton had to begin his first attempt to win a Grand Slam title without Rodman in the stands. She was busy with her own career, playing for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL on Sunday.

Rodman, a star for the U.S. women's national team, was with the Spirit for their 3-0 loss at home to Boston Legacy FC, then headed north to New York.

She arrived at some point near the end of Shelton's 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 loss to Alexander Zverev, wearing a shirt with Shelton's face on it, cheering and at one point appearing to wipe away tears during the trophy ceremony.

“I knew she was coming. I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here, but even just making the effort and trying is insane,” Shelton said.

“She kind of showed up as I was losing, which for her probably sucked, you know?”

Zverev also took note of Rodman’s presence in his post-match remarks.

“Trinity, I thought you have a game today,” Zverev said jokingly. “Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm ... not today, but usually.”

Rodman had been at multiple matches at the U.S. Open during Shelton's run to his first major final, including his victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals that ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in U.S. Open history.

She wore a black shirt reading “I (heart) my boyfriend” while watching Shelton's victory in the second round.

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

American soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, watches her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, play Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in New York.(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, watches her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, compete against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Soccer player Trinity Rodman celebrates after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, won his match against Hubert Hurkacz, of Poland, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)