Kirk Cousins has 301 touchdown passes in his 15-year NFL career, his first three Sunday for the Las Vegas Raiders sparking their Week 1 victory.
The Raiders rolled to a 27-13 win over the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium, enthralling a raucous capacity crowd. Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards and first-half touchdowns — his 299th and 300th — to wide receiver Jach Bech and running back Ashton Jeanty respectively.
Cousins is the 15th quarterback in NFL history to throw 300-plus touchdown passes, tossing his 301st in the third quarter to Jeanty to mitigate two second-half picks. The shifty sophomore rushed 23 times for 102 yards, working behind a rebuild offensive line, adding six receptions catches for 45 yards.
Miami quarterback Malik Willis completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards, an interception and ran for a 14-yard, third-quarter score after Cousins threw a pick on the second play of the second half. The Dolphins finished were 2 of 10 converting third downs and the Raiders recorded five sacks.
Cousins guided a 16-play, 93-yard opening drive with short completion after short completion— the last of which went to Bech uncovered, slanting toward the end zone for 15-yard score. His touchdown pass to Jeanty over the middle capped a seven-play, 54-yard second-quarter drive.
Miami answered with a field goal, Las Vegas led 17-6 at halftime and Cousins threw too high for Bech, hitting Miami safety Michael Taaffe instead. Willis scored a few plays later, but running back Dylan Laube brought the ensuing kickoff back to midfield.
Cousins capped the drive by finding Jeanty open in the flat for a 13-yard score.
Rookie safety Treydan Stukes intercepted Willis on the following possession and Matt Gay kicked his second field goal. Jaylen Wright returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards for Miami. But wide receiver Cody White stopped him from scoring, linebacker Nakobe Dean sacked Willis on third down and the Dolphins missed a field goal.
Maxx Crosby added a fourth-quarter sack (and shared another with fellow edge rusher Kwity Paye) as Cousins threw a fourth-quarter pick and the Raiders continue their season next Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
