Heavy Doses Of Ashton Jeanty Could Be Formula For Raiders' Success In Las Vegas This Season

The Las Vegas Raiders may havefound a recipe for success in their Week 1 home win over the Miami Dolphins ,27-13. In first-yearhead coach Klint Kubiak's first game on the Raiders sideline, the teamleaned heavily on second-year running back Ashton Jeanty . This heavy dose of Jeantyproved to be a difference-maker in the Raiders getting off to a 1-0 start in2026.

Jeanty shoulderedmuch of the load in Week 1 for this new, seemingly improved Raiders offense. The2025 No. 6 overall pick carried the ball 23 times for 102 yards in the win overMiami and added six receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns. He led the teamin rushing yards, receptions, and receiving yards on 29 total touches.

Kubiakpresented an extremely balanced attack offensively, as quarterback Kirk Cousins recorded30 passes in the game. Jeanty's 147 scrimmage yards went a long way in helpingthe Raiders control the tempo and flow of the game.

Of course,it was the Dolphins they beat up on in Week 1. So, despite having a last-placeschedule based on their finish last season, the Raiders have some toughmatchups moving forward through the first half of the 2026 campaign.

Las Vegas goes on the road in Weeks 2 & 3 to face the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints . Those feellike winnable games, but you never know how things will go in divisional games,and Tyler Shough seems to be showing more promise with every game he plays forNew Orleans. Weeks 4 through 11 could decide the fate of Kubiak's first seasonas coach in Vegas.

Starting withWeek 4, the Raiders face the Kansas City Chiefs , New England Patriots , Buffalo Bills , Los Angeles Rams , New York Jets , San Francisco 49ers , Seattle Seahawks , and Denver Broncos before a post-Thanksgiving Week 12 showdown in Cleveland with the Browns before the bye in Week 13. The Raiders did beat New Englandto open last season, but that was before the Pats got rolling under then-newhead coach Mike Vrabel, winning 13 of their final 14 games en route to a SuperBowl appearance.

While thislooks like a tough stretch on paper, establishing a balanced attack againstthese teams will be key. Cousins is known for slinging the ball all over thefield, but it's time for Jeanty to put the offense on his back. Out of the gatethis season, Jeanty hit the 100-yard mark after doing it just twice in hisrookie season.

It took Jeanty fourgames last season before he even sniffed a 100-yard performance. That Week 4game against the Chicago Bears last season remains Jeanty's career-high at 138yards. If the Raiders are going to have success this year and surprise teams,it'll balance between run and pass on offense, but ultimately a Jeanty-heavy game plan each week should be the mode to make the Raiders even a semi-threatin the AFC.