Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) scores a second half touchdown and is congratulated by Derek Carr (4) with Matt Bushman (84) is background against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sat Aug 21, 2021 (AP News photo)

RAIDERS WIN WITH A TOUGH LAST SECOND STOP 17-16

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Media and Sports Radio Service

LOS ANGELES, CA-The Las Vegas Raiders rolled into SoFi Stadium, home of the Rams, with a huge chip on their shoulder after some rough practices all week with the Rams at their practice facility. Winning with a new look… defensive style 17-16.

Raiders RB Trey Ragas started the scoring with a rushing Touchdown that led to a 7-0 lead which the Raiders held for much of the first half before the tables turned on Raiders QB Nate Peterman who was intercepted in the second quarter, leading to a Rams drive to tie the game. The Rams would add another three points to go into the half leading the Raiders 10-7.

The second half was dominated by the play of rookie out of Illinois Nate Hobbs,Hobbs had an interception and added several top plays to ignite the Raiders defense to key stops of the Rams offensive surges. Nate Peterman led the Raiders on two key second half drives, in which the Raiders went up 17-10 with ten unanswered points.

Rams running QB Bryce Perkins played a very tough fourth quarter and made some key drives to bring the Rams back into the game, eluding a would be sack on 4th and 6 on the 15 to gain a key first down, then scoring on a key fourth and Goal with a well executed pass to the corner of the end zone to make the game 17-16 Raiders. The extra point attempt was a two point conversion, in which the fade route failed as the Raiders defense held up to secure the win 17-16. 

Next week the Raiders (2-0) will play in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, against the San Francisco 49ers next week. That will wrap up the pre-season and lead to the Monday night 9/13 opening night showdown vs the Baltimore Ravens in Las Vegas, NV.