Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looks for a receiver in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Raiders Win Second Pre-Season Game Beating Rams 34-17

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the NFL pre-season continued with game two. The Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) made the short trip to SoFi Stadium for a game with the Los Angeles Rams (0-2) and made work of the Rams with their second pre season win in the Southland 34-17.

The Raiders scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter. Brandon Bolden rushed for seven yards and Daniel Carlson kicked the extra point. Carlson has had a great start to the pre-season and ended up making a real impact in this game.

Early in the second quarter, Carlson made a 46 yd field goal extending the Las Vegas lead to 10-0. The Rams would tie up the game 10-10. Ram kicker Tanner Brown kicked a 25 yard field goal. Minutes later the Rams had a Jake Hummel interception return for 21 yards and the touchdown.

The game remained tied 10-10 with the second quarter winding down. Las Vegas had more in store for the Rams. With 1:35 left in the half, the Raiders Isaiah Pola-Mao had an interception return for 50 yards, breaking the tie giving the Raiders the lead 17-10. Just before the half, Raider kicker Daniel Carlson sent a 30 yard field goal through the uprights. Las Vegas took a 20-10 lead into the locker room.

The Raiders scored their first offensive touchdown of the game in the third quarter at 8:52. Quarterback Aiden O’Connell found Cam Sims for seven yards and the score giving the Raiders a 27-10 lead. Stetson Bennett rushed for four yards and a Ram touchdown. Los Angeles had cut the Raiders lead to 27-17.

The Raiders were relentless scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas had scored in every quarter of this game. Aiden O’Connell threw his second touchdown of the game, a two yard pass to Kristian Wilkerson. The Raiders were cruising with a 34-17 lead. That would be the final.

The Raiders won this game through the air passing for 342 yards. O’Connell was 11 of 18 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Las Vegas rushed for a total of 98 yards.

Raiders post game notes: Last week the Raiders had an efficient game against the San Francisco 49ers winning their first game of the pre- season 34-7. The Rams lost to the San Diego Chargers 34-17.

Next Saturday, the Raiders will travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in the third pre-season game on Sat Aug 26th. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.