Category: Oakland Raiders

Raiders kickoff the season in the Big Easy

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: You might see a lot of this more often Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) jumping for joy in this Aug 27th photo against the Tennessee Titans as they open up in New Orleans on Sunday

OAKLAND, Calif — With the preseason in the rear view window, the 2016 regular season begins for real for the Oakland Raiders as they open up on the road in New Orleans against the Saints in Week 1 action.

Kickoff is at 10:00 a.m. PT at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where the Raiders are a 3-point favorite to notch their first win of what people are predicting will be a great year for the Silver & Black. The game can be seen locally on KTVU/FOX Channel 2, making breakfast and football a perfect match.

Sunday’s game will mark the first time Oakland has opened up against an NFC opponent on the road since 1999, where Oakland traveled to Green Bay to start that season.

This will also mark the first time that Oakland and New Orleans face each other in the regular season opener.

With the Raiders hosting the Atlanta Falcons next week in Oakland’s home opener, it will also mark the first time since 1999 that Oakland (who played the Packers and Vikings), will begin the season facing two NFC opponents in back-to-back weeks.

Quarterback Derek Carr leads a promising Raiders’ offense headlined by wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. In four preseason games, Crabtree and Cooper combined for 10 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Crabtree and Cooper are primed to have huge seasons for Oakland, which is looking to end the team’s playoff drought, dating back to 2002, the team’s last playoff appearance.

Oakland is hoping with the additions of rookie running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard added to the backfield with starter Latavius Murray can make the offense more diverse. Oakland was a pass-first, run-second team last season, even though Murray was one of only seven running backs in 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards (1,066 rushing yards to be exact).

Defensively, Oakland had trouble stopping the run in the preseason.The Raiders were getting gashed by beefy running backs like Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy, and Tennessee’s duo of DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry.

Oakland will be without defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for at least the first eight weeks of the season due to a hip injury. Edwards Jr., along with defensive tackles Dan Williams and Justin “Jelly” Ellis are so critical to the Raiders’ run defense.

New Orleans features former Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower, and C.J. Spiller in the back field and each can run the ball well between the tackles, a weakness for Oakland.

The Raiders’ rebuilt secondary could be in for a long day when it faces one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL in Drew Brees.

Brees, who enters his 16th year in the NFL, is coming off a season where he threw for a league-leading 4,870 yards in 2015. It was the seventh time in Brees’ career that he threw for over 4,500 yards in a season.

The future Hall of Fame quarterback continues to get better with time and still plays at a high level at age 38, as evident of the new deal he signed on Wednesday.

Details of Brees’ new deal, provided by Spotrac, Brees will pocket roughly $44 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons, with $20 million coming in 2016 and only $17.25 million going towards the salary cap.

The deal will almost certain guarantee that Brees finishes his career in New Orleans, the franchise he led to a Super Bowl title in 2009.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks leads a dangerous Saints’ passing attack. The third-year wide receiver from Oregon State, recorded his first career 1,000-yard receiving season finishing with 84 catches, 1,138 yards, and nine touchdowns, which Cooks led the team in all categories in 2015.

One Saints player to really keep an eye on is second-year wide receiver Willie Snead, who burst on to the scene last season for New Orleans recording 69 catches for 984 yards and three touchdowns.

Former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen enters his first full season as the Saints’ defensive coordinator. Allen, who has seven total seasons on New Orleans’ defensive staff, looks to improve a defense that ranked 31st last season in rushing yards per game allowed (129.8), passing yards per game allowed (284.0) and total yards per game allowed (413.8).

With the additions of veterans in defensive tackle Nick Fairley, linebacker James Laurinaitis, and defensive end Paul Kruger, to go along with mainstay in defensive end Cameron Jordan, the Saints are hoping to provide more pressure to the quarterback this season.

With both teams having suspect defenses heading into the match up, this game could be an offensive barrage by both teams and could come down to which team has the better, more confident quarterback in the fourth quarter.

Will it be Brees, who is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history and holds a 8-2 career record (19 touchdowns and four interceptions) against Oakland?

Or will it be Carr, who is 4-12 on the road in his young career, but has thrown 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions in those games?

Sunday is almost here.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Taiwan Jones fired up and ready to go for opener on Sunday in New Orleans

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AP photo: Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones sprints in the second Raiders pre season game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday August 18th at Lambeau Field

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon, special kicking teams and back up running back Taiwan Jones wasn’t going to risk injury. Head coach Jack Del Rio sat Jones since the second game of  pre season but Jones worked hard in practice. Del Rio wanted to save Jones for the regular season and wanted to see what the younger players can do as the Raiders now get ready for opening day in New Orleans on Sunday at the Superdome.

Jones stated that he knows he’s good enough and smart enough to stay in the wings until called up for the season opener and has the experience to help first string running back Latavius Murray “I feel good, I am excited in the pre season they have to give the young cats a chance to see what they can bring to the table. I have definitely proven myself, to the point where (Del Rio) can put me on the shelf.” said Jones

 

 

Oakland Raiders Thursday game wrap: Preseason ends with tough loss for Raiders; Seahawks with 23-21 win

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Quarterback Matt McGloin calls the signals for the Oakland Raiders offensive line at the Oakland Coliseum against the Seattle Seahawks in the final pre season game on Thursday night

OAKLAND- After seeing barely any scoring thru the first three quarters, the fourth quarter saw the scoreboard light up like a Christmas tree.

Both the Oakland Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks scored a combined 36 points in that final quarter, but in the end, it was the Seahawks who took the preseason finale by the final score of 23-21 over the Raiders before an announced crowd of 53,473 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Derek Carr sat out the preseason finale, as he gets ready to be under center when the Raiders open the season against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11.

Carr was one of 28 Raiders who did not see the field in the preseason finale, where the Raiders ended with a record of 1-3.

Matt McGloin played the first quarter, as he went 4-for-6 for 37 yards passing and carried the ball one time for 13 yards before giving way to rookie Connor Cook to begin the second quarter.

Cook went 15-for-30 for 145 yards and an interception.

Russell Wilson played the first series for the Seahawks, and threw just three passes, completing one for 23 yards to Luke Willson.

Boykin played the second quarter and fourth quarter, and went 7-for-15 for 72 yards. Boykin also carried the ball six times for 22 yards.

The Raiders got on the board in the second quarter, as Trevone Boykin threw an incomplete pass from the end zone with no one in the vicinity for a safety.

Sebastian Janikowski extended the Raiders lead up to 5-0 in the third quarter, as he kicked a 27-yard field goal.

On the Seahawks ensuing possession, Steven Hauschka kicked a 39-yard to narrow the Raiders lead down to just three.

The Seahawks received great field position that setup Hauschka’s field goal, as Janikowski’s kickoff was returned 60 yards by Troymaine Pope.

On the Raiders first possession of the fourth quarter, Janikowski extended the Raiders up to 8-3, as he kicked a 45-yard field goal.

George Atkinson III fumbled the ball on the Raiders next possession, and it was recovered by the Seahawks Kache Palacio.

Boykin then fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Derrick Lott, but it would not be the Raiders ball for long.

On the first play after the Lott fumble recovery, Cook threw an interception that Ryan Robinson returned 42 yards to the end zone to give the Seahawks their first lead of the game with 10:29 remaining in the game.

After the Raiders were unable to move the ball on a sufficient drive to retake the lead, Marquette King was forced to punt the ball and the Seahawks took advantage of the King punt.

Boykin drove the Seahawks into the red zone for the first time on the evening, and it culminated, as Pope scored from five yards out to extend the Seahawks lead.

Atkinson III made up for his earlier fumble, as he scored from one yard out to cut the Seahawks lead down to just two with 2:17 remaining. Unfortunately, on the two-point conversion attempt, Cook was stopped short of the end zone.

The Seahawks got the ball back after the Janikowski onside kick was recovered by E.Z. Nwachukwu at the Raiders 48-yard line.

Alex Collins scored from one-yard out to give the Seahawks what looked like an insurmountable nine-point lead, but this is the NFL and nothing is safe.

Atkinson III returned the Hauschka kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown and with the Janikowski kick, the Raiders narrowed the lead down to just two; however the Seahawks recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock after two kneel downs.

Austin Howard was forced to leave the game after rolling his ankle, but according to head coach Jack Del Rio, there were no injuries to report.

Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane joined Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers by not standing for the National Anthem prior to the start of the game.

“I wasn’t trying to say anything, just standing behind (Colin) Kaepernick,” said Lane.

On whether the fact that he may receive some criticism over sitting, Lane said, “Yeah I am prepared for it, I don’t mean any disrespect to anybody. But I’m standing behind what I believe in.”

Kaepernick sat during the playing of the National Anthem against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, as did teammate Eric Reid.

DID NOT PLAY LIST:
Carr, Michael Crabtree, Nate Allen, Sean Smith, Taiwan Jones, D.J. Hayden, Reggie Nelson, Latavius Murray, David Amerson, Marcel Reece, Jamize Olawale, Ben Heeney, Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, Malcolm Smith, Neiron Ball, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Kelechi Osemele, Menelik Watson, Donald Penn, Jon Feliciano, Justin Ellis, Lee Smith, Clive Walford, Amari Cooper, Dan Williams and Mario Edwards, Jr.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Carr, McGloin, Cook at quarterback primed for final exhibition game in Seattle

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AP file photo: Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio lays it down for safety Karl Joseph (42) and strong safety Nate Allen (20) during the second half of last Saurday’s game against the Tennessee Titans

Oakland Raiders podcast with J Hawkes week three of the pre season the Raiders lost to the Tennessee Titans during the final pre season game at the Coliseum. The Raiders now prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks at Centurylink for he final pre season game. Raider head coach Jack Del Rio will get a chance to take a look at his quarterbacks Derek Carr, Matt McGloin and Connor Cook. Carr went for two first half touchdowns of last week’s game against Tennessee.

In two drives Carr in the first drive went 58 yards as rookie DeAndre Washington scored on 75 yards and Amari Cooper carried for the second touchdown. Defensively the Raiders need some work, the Titans made work of the Raiders D by moving the ball 276 yards and the Titans running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry combined for 20 games and 89 yards running and two touchdowns.

Joe Hawkes Beamon does the Raiders podcasts for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week

Raiders gear up for Seahawks in preseason finale

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree leaps for a pass thrown to him in Raiders camp back on June 15th

OAKLAND, Calif — The preseason comes to a close for the Raiders Thursday night, when they host the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.

Oakland (1-2), fell to the visiting Tennessee Titans, 27-14, last Saturday at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr led Oakland’s first-team offense to two first-half touchdown drives of 58 and 75 yards that ended with touchdown passes to rookie running back and DeAndre Washington (6 yards), and wide receiver Amari Cooper (29 yards).

Carr finished with a 133.8 quarterback rating after completing 12-of-18 passes for 169 yards, and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught a pinpoint, 41-yard pass from Carr on the Raiders’s first offensive drive of the game that setup Oakland’s first touchdown.

Don’t expect to see Carr or any of the Raiders’s first-team offense to take the field Thursday night.

Backups Matt McGloin and Connor Cook (who both threw interceptions against Tennessee) will get the majority of the snaps from center, while Seth Roberts (1 catch, 15 yards versus Tennessee), Johnny Holton, and K.J. Brent (combined for 6 catches and 108 yards versus Tennessee), will get long looks for the team’s third- and fourth-string wide receivers.

Along with Washington, second-year man George Atkinson III and rookie Jalen Richard

Defensively, Tennessee bludgeoned Oakland with 276 yards offensively,  (106 on the ground), in the first half. Running backs DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry combined for 20 carries, 89 yards rushing, and two touchdowns. The duo found gaping holes in a Raiders defense, that has had its share of problems stopping the run during the preseason.

Russell Wilson threw a pair of touchdowns in Seattle’s 27-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday at CenturyLink Field. Wilson led Seattle’s first-team into the second half, scoring on four of the team’s final five possessions.

Wilson found wide receiver Paul Richardson on a crossing route for a 9-yard score in the second quarter, then after scrambling to keep the play alive following a juggle, he found wide receiver Tyler Lockett for another 9-yard score in the third quarter.

That touchdown to Lockett would be Wilson’s final play of the game, who finished 16-of-21 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

Like Oakland, Seattle (2-1)  would like to get out of the preseason with minimal injuries, so expect the Seahawks to sit Wilson and their first-team offense and go with rookie quarterback Trevone Boykin at quarterback and backups for the majority of the night.

After Thursday, Oakland will need to make their final roster cuts to the NFL-mandated 53-man active roster by Sept. 3.

Oakland will then turn their attention to  Week 1 and their season opener on Sept. 11 against the Saints in New Orleans at 10:00 a.m. PT.

 

Oakland Raiders commentary: Carr impresses, but Titans get win over Raiders

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP photo: Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington gets broadsided by the Tennessee Titans linebacker Sean Spence in the second half of Saturday night’s pre season game at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND, Calif — Even though the Raiders lost to the Tennessee Titans 27-14 in both team’s third preseason game Saturday night at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, it was good to see Derek Carr and the Raiders’ first-team offense finish off drives with getting the ball into the end zone.

Carr, who led to the Raiders to just six points in the previous six quarters he appeared in during the preseason, went 12-for-18 for 169 yards passing and two touchdowns against the Titans while playing the entire first half.

After Tennessee took an early 7-0 lead behind a DeMarco Murray one-yard run, Oakland’s signal-caller drove the Raiders’ first-team offense 58 yards in seven plays for their first touchdown of the game (and of the preseason) as a unit, a 6-yard toss to rookie running back DeAndre Washington on an angle route out of the backfield to the tie game, 7-7.

Washington, along with fellow running back Jalen Richard, combined for 95 yards of total offense, but the diminutive Washington did cough up the ball in the third quarter  after taking a huge hit from Titans linebacker David Bass which resulted in a 47-yard fumble recovery by fellow linebacker Sean Spence that gave Tennessee a 27-14.

But Carr was just getting started.

Following a Ryan Succop 30-yard field goal that pushed Tennessee’s lead, 10-7, Carr engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive culminating a picture-perfect, 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper down the Titans’ sideline and hitting Cooper in the back of the end zone that gave Oakland (1-2) a 14-10 lead shortly before halftime.

Replay would confirm Cooper kept both feet in bounds. Cooper finished with three catches for 52 yards.

Earlier in the game, Carr placed another beautifully thrown pass to his other top target, wide receiver Michael Crabtree for 41 yards.

It would be Crabtree’s only catch of the game.

In the midst of Oakland’s first drive to begin the third quarter, Carr would give way to backup Matt McGloin.

McGloin, and third-string rookie quarterback Connor Cook, proceeded to throw two interceptions to Tennessee’s second- and third-string defenders.

What I wasn’t impressed with was Oakland’s first-team defense, which gave up 276 yards (106 on the ground), in the first half.

Tennessee’s Murray (8 carries for 40 yards) and rookie running back Derrick Henry (12 carries for 49 yards) did the most damage to Oakland’s rush defense. Tennessee found gaping holes that turned two-yard gains, into five-yard gains.

It was the second time this preseason that Oakland had issues with beefy, powerful runners.

Oakland struggled to curtail Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy, surrendering 45 yards on nine carries and a touchdown in Oakland’s 20-12 loss at Lambeau Field last Thursday.

Oakland’s first-team defense never forced the Titans to punt, allowing Tennessee to score three touchdowns and two field goals in two quarters.

It wasn’t until their final drive of the third quarter that Oakland’s starting unit forced Tennessee’s offense to punt.

The secondary had trouble defending the passing game of the Titans.

Tennessee (2-1) starting quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 9-for-16 passes for 170 yards, 65 of those yards to veteran wide receiver, Andre Johnson who will be one of Mariota’s go-to guys this season.

On the Titans’ second drive of the game, the 35-year-old former Miami Hurricane had consecutive catches of 13, 38, and 14 yards.

It was vintage Johnson.

Johnson finished with three catches for 65 yards, while promising rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (fantasy football sleeper), hauled in a 60-yard, catch-and-run pass that helped setup Tennessee’s first score of the game.

Oakland finishes the preseason at home Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks, with the starters unlikely to play.

 

 

 

Oakland Raiders Saturday game wrap: Titans spoil Raiders preseason home opener

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver in pre season game three against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND-With just one preseason game remaining on the schedule, the Oakland Raiders finally made their preseason debut at the Oakland Coliseum.

Derek Carr went 12-for-18 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, but it was enough and the Tennessee Titans defeated the Raiders 27-14 at the Coliseum.

Carr found Amari Cooper for a fantastic 29-yard touchdown pass that was reviewed by the officials, but stood to give the Raiders their only lead of the game.

That was not the only nice pass on the evening by Carr, as he found Michael Crabtree for a 41 yard pass play down to the Titans 10-yard live that setup a DeAndre Washington touchdown pass from Carr that tied up the game.

On their first drive of the game, Marcus Mariota drove the Titans all the way down the field and it ended on a DeMarco Murray one-yard touchdown run. Murray’s touchdown run was setup by a fantastic pass from Mariota to Tajae Sharpe that went right through the hands of Sean Smith for a 60-yard gain down to the Raiders four-yard line.

Following the Washington touchdown pass from Carr that tied up the game at seven apiece, the Titans drove down the field and Ryan Succop kicked a 34-yard field goal to give them a 10-7 lead.

After the Raiders went three and out on their next possession, Titans led behind a huge run from Murray added another Succop field goal, this one was from 30 yards to lengthen the lead.

Carr, Cooper and Washington handled the ensuing Raiders drive, as in the end, Cooper was on the receiving of a fantastic thrown pass by Carr for a 29-yard touchdown pass to give the Raiders their only lead of the game.

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Derek Henry showed the Raiders and a National TV audience why he was worthy of the most prestigious award in all of college football, as the former Alabama Crimson Tide running back ran rough shot through the Raiders defense and the end result was a three-yard touchdown run that gave the Titans the lead for good.

Henry led the Titans running game with 12 carries for 49 yards and that one touchdown, to help the Titans to their second victory of the preseason.

Jalen Richard made his first preseason appearance for the Raiders after the missing the first two games with an injury. Richard responded by carrying the ball seven times for 35 yards, and returned two kicks for 57 yards, including a 38-yard return after Murray’s touchdown run on the Titans first series of the game.

The Titans closed out the scoring in the third quarter, as Washington hit by Sean Spence and fumbled the ball, which was picked up by David Bass and returned 47 yards for a touchdown.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Derek Carr and Raiders prepared to host first home exhibition game Friday with Tennessee

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AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr scrambles under pressure in last week’s game in Green Bay’s Lambeau Field on Thursday August 18th

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes B, the Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has been getting good looks in exhibition games through the first two games in Arizona and Green Bay. Carr and the Raiders are prepared to face the Tennessee Titans for their match up on Saturday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders who played in Green Bay last week and lost got to see some of their younger players on the roster.

The Pack handled the Raiders but head coach Jack Del Rio got to see some of his younger players and will test them out in Saturday’s game versus the Titans. The Raiders Sean Smith cornerback is getting recognition for his knowledge of reading both sides of the football. Smith who is a defensive cornerback and sits in the offense meetings. Smith said he wanted to learn as many aspects of what the offense does as the defense and wants to keep informed of all the plays.

Joe Hawkes Beamon covers Raiders football and podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders-Tennessee Titans preview: Carr, Raiders needs offense to click against Titans Saturday

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr slings it back to air it out against the Green Bay Packers in week two of the exhibition season at Lambeau Field Thu Aug 18th in Green Bay

OAKLAND, Calif — Derek Carr looked rather pedestrian, completing 9 of 13 for just 38 yards, during Oakland’s 20-12 loss to Green Bay last Thursday night.

Carr and the Raiders’ first-team offense have produced zero touchdowns during the team’s first two preseason games.

In fact, Oakland’s first-team offense have produced just six points in the three quarters that Carr has played so far this preseason. If you’re Raider Nation, you’re not too concerned, but you do want to see Carr engineer the Raiders into the end zone before the end of the preseason.

What’s troubling for me with Oakland’s offense is not the lack of touchdowns, but the chemistry issues in the passing game, particularly with training camp roommates in Carr and Cooper on deep routes.

In Oakland’s first preseason game against the Cardinals in Arizona, Carr and Cooper were disconnected on a deep throw down the Cardinals’ sideline that Cooper caught, but couldn’t keep his feet in bounds.

Then against the Packers, Carr threw an underthrown pass to Cooper that was intercepted by Packers cornerback Damarious Randall in the first quarter.

“I tried to throw it up and give Amari a chance,” Carr said after the game. “This is the time to do it. I am risky, but at this time, a bit more risky.”

I do expect Carr to play comfortable in front of the Raider Nation Saturday, when Oakland (1-1) host Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans in both team’s third preseason game, where generally the starters play the majority of the game.

Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PDT at the Oakland Coliseum, with the game seen nationally on CBS.

Carr led four fourth quarter/overtime game-winning drives, one including a 24-21 victory over the Titans in Week 12 last season after trailing 17-21 late in the fourth quarter.

Carr orchestrated a 9-play, 90-yard drive in 3:20 that ended with a 12-yard touchdown to wide receiver Seth Roberts with 1:21 left in the game.

It was  Roberts’s first career 100-yard receiving game (six catches, 113 yards, and two touchdowns), and the second time in 2015 that Carr and Roberts connected on a game-winning score in the final two minutes.

Coincidentally, Carr found Roberts for a 12-yard touchdown in Oakland’s 37-33 home win over Baltimore in Week 2.

Oakland’s first-team defense can improve, especially against the running game. The Raiders were battered by the strong running game of Packers running back Eddie Lacy, who carried the ball nine times for 45 yards.

Lacy closed out a 14-play, 74-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter. Lacy had a 20-yard run on 2nd and 10 that was key on the Packers’ opening drive, which saw a litany of Raiders missing tackles.

Tennessee (1-1) is coming off a 26-16 loss at home against the NFC Champions, Carolina Panthers, has the promise of being one of the surprising teams this year, especially with Mariota at the helm.

The second-year quarterback completed 9 of 10 passes for 104 yards passing with one interception. Mariota did hook up with wide receiver Harry Douglas for a 23-yard touchdown on his final throw after engineering Tennessee’s first three drives.

Tennessee also has the potential of having one of the league’s better rushing attacks with running backs DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry.

Murray, who was acquired by the Titans in the offseason after spending a disastrous 2015 season in Philadelphia, looked like he is ready for a bounce back season as evident of his 71-yard touchdown run against the Chargers in San Diego in the team’s first preseason game.

The six-year pro out of Oklahoma has 11 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown through two games this preseason.

Henry, the bruiser out of Alabama who Tennessee drafted in the second round this past May, has 15 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown through two games this preseason.

One player that I’m very interested in watching for the Titans is rookie receiver Tajae Sharpe, who Mariota recently told Around the NFL’s Marc Sessler “he makes it easy,” when catching the ball.

The UMass product leads Tennessee with eight catches for 103 yards this preseason.

 

 

 

 

Oakland Raiders Thursday post game wrap: Lacy leads Packers to win 20-12

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) tries to break the goal line but is stopped by the Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) and defensive end Jihad Ward (95) on Thursday night in the first half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay

It may just be the preseason, but Eddie Lacy looks to be in regular season form after just two games.

Lacy carried the ball nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown, as the Green Bay Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 20-12 at Lambeau Field.

The Packers, playing without starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers were led by second-year quarterback Brett Hundley, who was forced to leave the game after reinjuring his left ankle.

Playing in their second game of the preseason, the Packers were led by their running game, as they gained 145 yards on the ground that also included a 10-yard touchdown run by John Crockett.

One week after leading the Raiders to a convincing win over the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night that included two rushing touchdowns by George Atkinson III, the Raiders offense was ineffective against the Packers.

Derek Carr went 9-for-13 for 38 yards and an interception, as he played the entire first half for the Raiders.

Rookie Connor Cook went 6-for-9 for 101 yards passing and an interception, while Matt McGloin went 2-for-5 for just two yards and an interception.

Latavius Murray carried the ball six times for just 19 yards against the Packers, who were missing Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers.

The Raiders were without the services of Mario Edwards, Jr., and Gabe Holmes, who are out indefinitely with injuries. Edwards, Jr., with a hip injury and Holmes is out with a ankle injury.