Tag: Raiders Winners and Losers

Raiders winners and losers in last-second victory vs. Browns

Here are the biggest winners and losers from the Raiders Week 15 win over the Browns

The Raiders struggled against a Browns team missing 18 total players and eight starters on Monday but eventually came out on top, winning on a last-second Daniel Carlson field goal, 16-14.

Cleveland’s roster was depleted due to a bevy of players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, with their starting quarterback and head coach watching the game from afar. But for the Raiders, a win is a win, especially as they desperately cling to playoff hopes as the campaign winds down.

Here are this week’s winners and losers for the Raiders after the victory put their record at 7-7 and increased their slim postseason chances.

Winners

Johnathan Abram

With the Browns starting their third-team quarterback, Nick Mullens, Cleveland attempted to lean on their rushing attack, lead by running back Nick Chubb. Run defense has been a weakness for the Raiders all season, so it was a good strategy.

But early on, Raiders safety Johnathan Abram was having none of it. He had two early tackles for loss that set the tone for the day, including a TFL on Cleveland’s first drive.

Abram had to leave the contest with an injury in the fourth quarter, but his teammates kept at it. Most importantly, they stopped the Browns late in the game when Cleveland, up 14-13, needed a first down to run out the clock but were stuffed on a 3rd-down rushing play. The stand gave the ball back to quarterback Derek Carr, who led his offense to the game-winning field goal.

Daniel Carlson

Kicker Daniel Carlson nailed the winning 48-yard kick as time expired, and he made it look easy — especially considering he had to make the kick twice thanks to a well-timed timeout from the Browns’ sideline on his first try.

But just minutes before, it appeared Carlson wouldn’t have the opportunity. Carr threw what could have been a game-ending interception, on a deep attempt to wide receiver Zay Jones late in the fourth quarter. The Las Vegas defense stopped the Browns from running out the clock, however, and Carr made the most of his second chance, with Carlson finishing the job.

Zay Jones

Jones had an up and down game, but he kept at it and never gave up, much like the Raiders squad on this oddly timed contest (moved from Saturday to early Monday evening due to the Browns’ roster situation).

He dove too soon on Carr’s late interception, though a catch would have been difficult to make on that play. On the Raiders’ previous drive, Jones had a chance to convert a 3rd-down play but came up short after he thought he stretched the football out far enough.

But on Las Vegas’ final march, Jones was there for Carr. He caught a pass and got down at the 30-yard line so the Raiders could spike the ball and stop the clock, setting up Carlson’s boot. On the day, Jones had six catches for 67 yards on nine targets.

Bryan Edwards

With WR Hunter Renfrow held in check most of the game, Jones and WR Bryan Edwards had to step up, and they did. Edwards had just three catches for a paltry eight yards, but he notched the game’s first touchdown, on a pass from Carr.

This is exactly the type of play the Raiders need from their big-bodied WR. Edwards certainly wasn’t perfect, however. He had a fumble later in the game, recovered by Renfrow. But none of the Raiders were perfect on this day. They simply got the job done. And that’s what Edwards did, too.

Dallin Leavitt

Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt made his presence known in this rough-and-rugged game in Cleveland, converting a short run on a fake punt and registering an impressive pass breakup on a big 3rd-down play late in the fourth quarter.

Leavitt barely beat out offensive tackle Kolton Miller for a spot on this week’s lengthy winners’ list, but Miller had a late hold that could have cost Las Vegas the game. He had a fantastic day of pass blocking against Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, however. Tight end Foster Moreau had a nice game for Carr and the offense, too.

But there was just something about Leavitt’s performance. Once again, the guy never seems to give up, despite being an undrafted player. During a game like this one, he was just the type of player the Raiders needed on their side.

Losers

DeSean Jackson

Raider’s speedster DeSean Jackson had just one catch on the day, but he lands on the losers’ list due to a really bad drop on the Raiders’ first drive of the second half. Las Vegas went 3-and-out when they were up 10-0 and had a chance to take control. If Jackson caught his drop, the Raiders may have done so.

Or perhaps not. Though Las Vegas won this game, it was a subpar showing. Especially considering the Browns’ roster situation.

The contest was very close to being a disaster for Las Vegas, especially after a 3rd-quarter Carr fumble led to the Browns’ first touchdown of the day. Carr tweaked his knee as he was tackled in the pocket, but he has to hang on to the football in that instance. That play was nearly the difference in the game.

In the end, the Raiders got their win. But in the weeks ahead, even next week against a so-so Broncos team, Las Vegas will have to play much better for their playoff hopes to continue past this hard-earned victory.

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Raiders winners and losers in disappointing defeat vs. Bengals

Raiders winners and losers in disappointing defeat vs. Bengals

The Raiders faced the Bengals on Sunday in dire need of a win, but Las Vegas squandered an early opportunity to take control and let the game slip away, slowly but surely, eventually losing 32-13 at Allegiant Stadium.

Quarterback Derek Carr and the offense started their first drive of the game on the Bengals’ 9-yard line, thanks to a turnover from the Raiders defense, but they settled for a field goal, setting the tone for the lackluster performance.

Las Vegas has now lost three straight games and has a 5-5 record, putting its playoff chances in further jeopardy. But some players played well enough to provide optimism for the weeks ahead. Here are the Raiders winners and losers for the week after a disappointing loss.

Winners

Yannick Ngakoue

The day had an ideal start for the Raiders, thanks to defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. He sacked Bengals QB Joe Burrow and knocked the ball loose, allowing defensive back Dallin Leavitt to scoop the football up and run to Cincinnati’s 9-yard line.

But the Raiders offense opted for a run up the middle by reserve running back Peyton Barber for one yard, followed by a pass to tight end Darren Waller that lost two yards and an incomplete pass to running back Josh Jacobs. Kicker Daniel Carlson converted a 26-yard field goal, and the day had an ominous vibe from the start for Las Vegas.

Darren Waller

Much of the talk surrounding the Raiders in the lead-up to this game involved the inconsistent usage of Waller, who is universally considered one of the top tight ends in a tight-end crazed league. Las Vegas went to him on their first set of failed plays, but Waller eventually found success to the tune of seven receptions for 116 yards.

Waller combined with TE Foster Moreau to help lead a brief Raiders comeback in the second half, with a three-play drive consisting of two big catches by Waller and a Moreau touchdown.

The Bengals scored on the ensuing drive, however, aided by a Raiders penalty for 12 players on the field. Las Vegas penalties kept Bengals’ drives alive all game long, unfortunately, wiping away multiple chances for the Raiders to stay competitive.

Denzel Perryman

Linebacker Denzel Perryman has been a revelation this season, leading the Raiders in tackles and hitting opponents hard, too. He set the defensive tone early with some nice hits, helping the defense play a quality first portion of the game as the Las Vegas offense struggled.

He ended the afternoon with 12 tackles (nine solos) with two tackles for loss and two passes defensed. The Raiders’ offseason signing of LB K.J. Wright was much splashier than their acquisition of Perryman, but Perryman has taken his career to new heights in Las Vegas and brings it every Sunday, no matter the circumstance.

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Raiders winners and losers in 41-14 defeat vs. Chiefs

Raiders winners and losers in 41-14 defeat vs. Chiefs

The Raiders had a chance to take first place in the AFC West on Sunday night against the Chiefs, but instead, Kansas City took control and looked like their old selves, beating Las Vegas in blowout fashion, 41-14.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was decisive with the football, avoiding the Raiders pass rush to throw for 406 yards and five touchdowns, while Raiders QB Derek Carr couldn’t keep his offense in a rhythm.

Now, Kansas City is in first place in the AFC West after a slow start to their season. The Raiders, on the other hand, were humbled in this nationally televised drubbing.

But some Raiders performed better than others. Here are this week’s winners in losers for the 5-4 Raiders.

Winners

A.J. Cole

There weren’t many bright moments for the Raiders in this one, clearly. But one early good turn of fortune for Las Vegas came from a most unexpected place.

Punter A.J. Cole forced a fumble after one of his kicks (which came after a 3-and-out from the Raiders), handing Las Vegas ball near midfield, down 7-0 late in the first quarter.

Cole earned some league-wide respect with that hit. The Raiders capitalized on the field position and tied the score, on one of their paltry two touchdowns on the night.

Hunter Renfrow

Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow scored the Raiders’ only touchdown a week ago on a pass from Carr, and he hauled in another Carr throw for six points against the Chiefs. It was a red-zone conversion, just like last week. His catch put the score at 7-7, giving the Raider equal footing after a rough start.

But after that short scoring drive, Las Vegas didn’t have a drive of more than five plays until their last effort in garbage time. Meanwhile, the Chiefs moved the ball methodically down the field all evening long.

Bryan Edwards

After a dud of a game last week, WR Bryan Edwards had a bounce-back performance. He caught Carr’s other touchdown pass on the Raiders’ first drive of the second half, good for 37-yards. (That was the only drive after Renfrow’s score that had five or more plays, finishing at five plays for 75 yards in just 2:52.)

Edwards had just three catches on the evening but they were good for 88 yards and the score. But in a game that saw Carr lead the team in rushing with 18 yards, the Raiders offense just didn’t have it Sunday night.

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Raiders winners and losers in 23-16 defeat vs. Giants

Raiders winners and losers in 23-16 defeat vs. Giants

The Raiders traveled to New York to face the Giants with more than usual on their minds after an emotional week. On the trip home, they’ll likely wonder how they didn’t score more touchdowns.

Quarterback Derek Carr and the offense got inside the red zone six times but hit paydirt just once, and Las Vegas took the loss, 23-16. The defeat dropped the Raiders’ record to 5-3, with Las Vegas missing an opportunity to win after the bye week and increase its slim lead in the AFC West.

As always, some players performed better than others. Here are this week’s winners and losers in a tough loss for the Raiders.

Winners

Yannick Ngakoue

Raiders’ defensive end Yannick Ngakoue had another two-sack game and forced an early fumble that gave the Raiders prime field position.

The play was early in the game, coming after the Giants and the Raiders had just traded punts and were tied at seven. Unfortunately, Carr couldn’t connect with tight end Darren Waller on the ensuing drive, on a well-defended play at the goal line. Las Vegas settled for one of its three field goals from kicker Daniel Carlson.

But Ngakoue came to fight for his team on Sunday. He also had a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits on the day. Early on, it appeared the pass rush from Ngakoue and DE Maxx Crosby would push the Raiders to a win, but the day ended much differently

Josh Jacobs

The Raiders were 5-2 entering this loss, but running back Josh Jacobs had yet to have an impact performance. An NFL Top-100 player, Jacobs finally had that day in New York.

He finished with 76 rushing yards on just 13 carries and added 19 receiving yards on four receptions. But most of all, he simply looked like himself, making defenders miss with ease in the open field. Also, he would have had an even bigger day if wide receiver Dillon Stoner had not committed a penalty in the third quarter on a long Jacobs run.

Jacob’s play was a welcome sight, however, even in this surprising loss. Today’s “win” for Jacobs could pay dividends for the Raiders down the line.

Darren Waller

Raiders tight end Darren Waller led Las Vegas in receiving in New York, with 92 yards on seven receptions. More than that, however, he kept his focus as Carr struggled for much of the game, especially after Carr missed Waller in the end zone just before halftime.

Waller appeared unbothered, however, and kept getting open for his quarterback. The two connected on a 19-yard gain on the Raiders’ last chance to tie the score, a drive that ended in another disastrous turnover, one of Carr’s three on the day.

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Raiders winners and losers in 33-22 victory vs. Eagles

Raiders winners and losers in 33-22 victory vs. Eagles

Week two of the Rich Bisaccia era in Las Vegas was just as good as the first, with the Raiders dominating the Eagles on Sunday in a decisive 33-22 victory.

The Raiders’ interim coach built on his big win from a week ago against the Broncos, and Las Vegas will hit its bye week with an impressive 5-2 record. Against the Eagles, the Raiders caught fire after falling behind 7-0, notching 30 consecutive points to take control of the game.

As always, some Raiders fared better than others. But overall, this Raiders team is flying high after an emotional two weeks. Here are the players that impacted this Las Vegas victory the most.

Winners

Foster Moreau

Raiders tight end Foster Moreau had some big shoes to fill against the Eagles. In a seemingly ominous sign for the Raiders, All-World TE Darren Waller didn’t suit up after injuring his ankle in a freak tripping incident at practice on Friday.

But Moreau stepped up in a major way. He caught the first of quarterback Derek Carr’s two touchdown throws with an 18-yard score on an incredible play early in the second quarter.

Now that’s the way to replace arguably the best tight end in the NFL. Overall, Moreau had six catches for 60 yards, both career highs that paced the Raiders receivers on the day

Yannick Ngakoue

Though the Raiders’ offense got rolling after Moreau’s touchdown grab, the defense had to give them an opportunity to score the tying strike. Raiders’ defensive end Yannick Ngakoue made an impact early that stopped the Eagles’ offense in its tracks.

After Carr threw an early interception — a small blemish on an incredible day for Carr — Ngakoue pressured Eagles QB Jalen Hurts on the ensuing drive, almost forcing an Eagles interception. Then Ngakoue had a demonstrative pass break up at the line of scrimmage to force a punt.

It was a show of force that continued throughout the afternoon, with Ngakoue finishing with two sacks, two tackles for loss, two passes defensed, and two QB hits.

Bryan Edwards

Second-year wide receiver Bryan Edwards caught Carr’s second touchdown of the day, and it capped the Raiders’ run of 30 consecutive points. It was short reception, on a 4th-and-goal play from the 1-yard line. But Edwards earned his score, taking a shot as soon as he latched onto the football.

That play is a big step for Edwards, who had a memorable drop two weeks ago. After a clutch play last week against the Broncos and his touchdown against the Eagles, he’s building a much better reputation for himself lately.

Derek Carr

With how well Carr has played for much of the season, it’s tempting to put him on this list every week. But against the Eagles, Carr was simply too good to ignore.

He completed 31 of his 34 passes for 323 yards, two touchdowns, and his one interception. For much of the game, Carr’s only incomplete pass was that early miscue.

In fact, Carr’s completion percentage of 91.2% was the second-highest percentage for any QB who passed 30 or more times in a single game, according to The Athletic. He was in full command of the offense he’s studied so intently over the last four years and has rarely looked better than he did on Sunday.

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Raiders winners and losers in monumental Week 6 win vs. Broncos

Raiders winners and losers in monumental Week 6 win vs. Broncos

In a sudden shift of fortune, all appears very, very well with the Las Vegas Raiders.

After a week of turmoil due to the surprise resignation of coach Jon Gruden, the Raiders traveled to Denver and beat the Broncos soundly, 34-24. The offense gained yardage in large chunks early and often, and the Las Vegas defense produced a pass rush that kept the Broncos on edge all afternoon, resulting in four turnovers along the way.

Interim coach Rich Bisaccia clearly prepared Las Vegas well, with every player on the Raiders seeming to distill their emotions into turbo fuel for the football field.

As always, some players fared better than others. But looking at the various performances from the Raiders this week, there are no losers (well, almost none) to choose from. Here are this week’s standout players, divided into offense and defense, with due respect to the Bisaccia’s special teams.

Winners on offense

Derek Carr/Greg Olson

The Raiders offense used to be Gruden’s baby. Now, quarterback Derek Carr is fully behind the wheel. His co-piot? Offensive coordinator, Greg Olson. Together, they produced 34 points, Las Vegas’ highest point total this season, including its two overtime wins.

It started early, when the Raiders broke their streak of scoreless first drives, cashing in on a 48-yard touchdown toss from Carr to wide receiver Henry Ruggs III to take a 7-0 lead. And the offense kept churning out big plays and steady gains all game long, ending up with 426 yards on an incredible 8.2 yards per play.

Carr had 341 yards through the air with two touchdowns, earning a 134.4 QB rating. He spread the ball around nicely and apparently didn’t miss Gruden one bit. He even threw a touchdown to one player that was an afterthought heading into Sunday’s game.

Kenyan Drake

Running back Kenyan Drake was supposed to be one of Gruden’s new weapons this season. Instead, Drake waited until Gruden’s departure to put on a show.

After receiving very few touches during the Raiders’ previous two games, Drake scored two touchdowns Sunday, one on a skillful 31-yard connection with Carr near the end of the first half. The play gave the Raiders a 17-7 edge at the break.

He also had an 18-yard run in the second half that handed Las Vegas a 24-7 edge.

Drake’s second score was set up by a nice catch and run by RB Josh Jacobs, and the two finally formed a formidable pair, just as Gruden envisioned. All it took, ironically, was Gruden’s resignation.

Henry Ruggs III

Ruggs’ 48-yard touchdown grab to start the game set the tone. But he didn’t stop there. He also hauled in a 40-yard catch in the second half — on a crucial third-down, with Carr facing intense pressure in the pocket — that set up a Jacobs rushing TD, giving the Raiders a 31-10 lead. On the day, Ruggs had three catches for 97 yards and his one touchdown.

Ruggs’ fellow young starter at WR, Bryan Edwards, also gets a nod this week. He had his own 51-yard catch (with one hand) late in the fourth quarter, leading to a Daniel Carlson field goal and a 34-17 Raiders advantage.

But this was one of Ruggs’ finest games. He is the playmaker that general manager Mike Mayock — and Gruden, of course — said he was.

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Raiders winners and losers in 20-9 defeat vs. Bears

Raiders winners and losers in 20-9 defeat vs. Bears

Different offensive line, same problems for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Coach Jon Gruden’s offense continued to struggle and had its lowest point output of the season in a 20-9 loss to the Bears on Sunday. Chicago stopped the Raiders’ run game and put solid pressure on quarterback Derek Carr, led by former Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack.

On defense, Las Vegas let Bears rookie QB Justin Fields off the hook, getting pressure on him early but allowing him to find a rhythm thanks to poorly timed penalties.

But as always, some Raiders fared better than others. Here are this week’s winners and losers after Las Vegas drops its second straight game, falling to 3-2 on the season.

Winners

Quinton Jefferson

The Raiders’ defense allowed 143 rushing yards on the day, but in a couple of key moments, defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson registered big stops on run plays to keep the Raiders’ scant chances of winning alive.

Jefferson had two run-stuffs on 3rd-and-short plays, a change in fortune after the Bears had been gashing the Raiders up the middle. When all seemed lost for Las Vegas, Jefferson was there. He also had help from massive, people-moving defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. It was a good representation of the Raiders defense, which kept fighting when the offense simply didn’t give them much motivation to do so.

Johnathan Abram

The Raiders’ third-year safety made his impact early in the game, crushing Fields with a heavy-duty QB hit. The play left Fields checking his body for damage, taking his rib protector off during the game to make sure his midsection was intact, according to CBS.

Abram registered three hits on Fields on the day, pacing the Las Vegas defense. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley sent more blitzes than he has in past weeks, trying to knock Fields off his game. The rookie only tallied 111 passing yards, but he threw a touchdown and made just enough big plays to outscore the Raiders’ dysfunctioning offense.

Yannick Ngakoue

The Raiders speed-rushing defense end had two sacks, so he’s safely in this week’s winners column. He’s provided a pass-rushing punch that has changed the fortunes of the Raiders defense, along with his counterpart, defensive end Maxx Crosby. Plus, the sacks were Ngakoue’s first two of the season.

But it must be noted that Ngakoue had a very costly penalty in the first half. With the Raiders up 3-0, they were successfully impacting Fields’ play with pressure on the pocket. Ngakoue was called for a late hit on Fields on a 2nd-and-long, however. After that, Fields found a rhythm and the Bears marched down the field for their first touchdown of the day, taking a lead they would not relinquish.

Also, Crosby and Abram had costly penalties on that drive, too. It was that sort of day for the Raiders. But still, the Raiders’ primary problem continues to be Gruden’s offense.

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Raiders winners and losers in 28-14 defeat vs. Chargers

Raiders winners and losers in 28-14 defeat vs. Chargers

As it turns out, a lightning delay before the Raiders’ Monday night game against the Chargers was indeed a bad omen for Las Vegas.

After sitting in the locker room longer than anticipated, coach Jon Gruden’s offense was a no-show in the first half, earning just one first down, and the Raiders fell behind 21-0 by halftime at SoFi Stadium. A third-quarter comeback made the game interesting, but Las Vegas came up short on a few big plays in crunch time and lost its first game of the season, 28-14.

Some Raiders performed better than others, however. Here are this week’s winners and losers after the Chargers pulled even with the Raiders at 3-1 in the AFC West.

Winners

Hunter Renfrow

In the first half, there wasn’t much to cheer about for any of the Raiders’ playmakers. Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had to make his impact felt on special teams, at least initially.

With the Raiders down 7-0 in the first quarter, the Raiders defense forced a punt. The Chargers opted for a fake, but Renfrow was ready to stop the effort dead in its tracks.

That’s impressive stuff from the Raiders’ slot receiver. Plus, Renfrow caught quarterback Derek Carr’s first touchdown of the day. Renfrow ran his patented custom “flat-china” route, adding to its growing legend before a national audience. Despite the Raiders’ loss, Renfrow is more of a household name than ever.

Darius Philon

The Raiders’ prolific pass rush took a while to make an impact in the game, but as the night wore on, Chargers QB Justin Herbert felt the heat. Defensive tackle Darius Philon turned up the temperature first, with a first-quarter sack that set up Renfrow’s big hit on special teams.

Philon ended up with two sacks on the evening, earning his second QB take-down in crunch time. He also had two quarterback hits, adding to a total of seven for the Raiders defense. All in all, It was an impressive showing for the first-year Raiders lineman, and Philon probably didn’t mind that his big day came against his former team.

Amik Robertson

Cornerback Amik Robertson was pressed into duty after multiple Raiders cornerbacks were ruled out due to injury. The Chargers didn’t challenge him much, but Robertson didn’t get embarrassed on the evening against Los Angeles’ potent WR group.

What’s more, he looked as comfortable as one could expect from a second-year pro who lacks quality experience. Robertson had seven tackles, including six solo stops after cornerbacks Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette went down. Nickel corner Nate Hobbs was also evaluated for a concussion, and CB Casey Hayward Jr. missed time on the field, too.

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Raiders winners and losers in preseason finale vs. 49ers

Raiders winners and losers in preseason finale vs. 49ers

The Raiders left nearly half their roster in Las Vegas when they traveled to Santa Clara to face the 49ers in the final preseason game for each team, and with the 49ers playing many of their starters, the results were as you’d expect.

Las Vegas competed but fell way short of victory in this last practice game of the year, losing 34-10. But with the Raiders starters resting at home, players on the roster bubble got all the snaps they could handle. Here are the Raiders winners and losers from 60 minutes of make-or-break football in the Bay Area.

Winners

Amik Roberston

A week after losing the nickel cornerback position battle with rookie CB Nate Hobbs, Raiders CB Amik Robertson was born again on the outside and made a statement against the 49ers.

Robertson made plays on multiple levels of the defense, thwarting an early attempt at a passing touchdown along the left sideline by San Francisco. He also stepped up and displayed his physicality with a nice tackle near the line of scrimmage early on.

Damon Arnette gets an honorable mention for his play at cornerback, but Robertson had more to lose in this game, with Arnette being secured of a spot on the team. Solid special-teams play sealed the deal on Robertson’s winning afternoon, and he looks like another potential winner for the Raiders in their young secondary, joining Hobbs.

Gerald McCoy

Raiders defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was brought to Las Vegas to bring pressure up the middle. Until Sunday, however, it was unclear whether he still had the elite skill he was known for before a quad injury kept him out of the NFL in 2020.

McCoy barely practiced before Sunday, let alone play in a preseason game. But against the 49ers, the 33-year-old got plenty of snaps and looked like a difference-maker. He gained access to San Francisco’s backfield with ease, playing exactly like the six-time Pro Bowler that he is.

If McCoy can play even a fraction as well during the regular season, he could be the key to the defense, much as ex-Raiders DT Maliek Collins was supposed to be last season. Pressure up the middle has been nearly non-existent under coach Jon Gruden, but it appears those days could be over.

Dillon Stoner

In a bit of a surprise, Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said that competition at wide receiver was still very much alive in Las Vegas as the squad prepared for their preseason finale.

With that being the case, WR Dillon Stoner may have earned a place in the Raiders locker room come cutdown day. He infused life into Las Vegas’ offense in the second quarter with a 27-yard reception and finished with three catches for 69 yards on six targets. Another impressive grab in the second half earned Stoner even more real estate, gaining 32 yards.

Plus, Stoner returned kicks. He didn’t do anything spectacular, but he did display sure hands. That alone is worth something in the NFL. But will Stoner actually make the final 53-man roster? It still seems like a bit of a longshot, but he answered Olson’s challenge with aplomb.

Losers

D.J. Turner

Turner was seemingly in direct competition with Stoner for a potential spot at wide receiver on the Raiders. Keelan Doss was also in the mix, but the Raiders have a clear idea of Doss’ skills already.

As for Turner, he had a less impactful day than Stoner had, catching two passes from quarterback Nathan Peterman on three targets.

He returned kicks, too, just as Stoner did, and also handled punt return duties (the Raiders only returned one punt all afternoon). But he failed to make waves. If Turner could have somehow broken a big one, he might have made good on his long odds at making the team. He didn’t, however, and he’s almost guaranteed an uncomfortable talk with Raiders brass on cutdown day.

Raiders starting defense

To be clear, the Raiders starting defense on Sunday in Santa Clara was not the Raiders’ real starting unit, with most of their frontline players staying in Las Vegas for the game.

But this group had a real opportunity against the 49ers’ starters. They were outclassed, however, especially in the front seven, allowing two long touchdown drives by San Francisco to start the game.

It wasn’t unexpected, but the Raiders’ backups could have been big winners in this matchup. They weren’t, but Las Vegas did see solid performances from Robertson, Arnette, McCoy and safety Karl Joseph. Also, rookie linebacker Divine Deablo got his feet wet, grabbing nine tackles (five solo) as he looked every bit the inexperienced player he is at this stage of his career.

Isaiah Johnson

The Raiders’ third-year cornerback got his first extended action of the preseason and had a bad day. As the second quarter wound down, Johnson got caught holding and then was called for pass interference later in the same drive, good for a 28-yard penalty.

With other young cornerbacks stepping up this preseason, Johnson needed to make a statement. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, it would have been great for the Raiders if he had. Could this be the end of the road for Johnson in Las Vegas? After his subpar day in Santa Clara, it’s a very real possibility.

The Raiders decided to play their best players sparingly this preseason, with Peterman taking all but one snap in Las Vegas’ three games, for example. A 17-game season is on the horizon, so it was probably a smart move. Plus, the Raiders got a good look at a bevy of young players on Sunday, despite the loss.

Now, Gruden and his staff will take on the tough task of deciding their players’ immediate futures. Some that get cut will find a home on the Raiders’ practice squad, or perhaps another team’s practice squad. For others, the NFL dream may be over.

But that’s all part of the pro-football business. Thankfully, the more exciting part, the regular season, is closer than ever. Quarterback Derek Carr and his frontline teammates will finally suit up and play football that counts starting Sept. 13 against the Ravens on Monday Night Football, live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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Raiders winners and losers in 20-7 preseason win vs. Seahawks

Raiders winners and losers in 20-7 preseason win vs. Seahawks

The Las Vegas Raiders finally played football in front of their fans at Allegiant Stadium, and the place was full of energy usually not felt in the preseason.

That electricity helped the Raiders get off to a hot start, leading to a 20-7 win. Still, not all of Las Vegas’ players fared as well as others, with jobs and roles on the line.

Here are the winners and losers from this historic preseason contest, one that Las Vegas will never forget.

Winners

Nathan Peterman

This first game in Las Vegas had the makings of a snoozer due to the Raiders quarterback situation. Starter Derek Carr was held out of the game by coach Jon Gruden, and backup QB Marcus Mariota was out with a minor injury.

That meant third-team QB Nathan Peterman would take the Raiders’ first snaps at Allegiant. He displayed his continued development under Gruden, however, and looked fantastic, especially to start the game. Peterman led a 76-yard touchdown drive to start things off, and he guided a 17-play, 87-yard field goal drive in the second quarter. He played the entire game and finished with 246 yards on 29-39 passing.

It wasn’t a perfect game for Peterman, but his stock went up within the Raiders organization and throughout the NFL. Plus, his play is a favorable sign for Gruden, as well. Perhaps the “QB guru” still knows how to develop signal-callers after all.

Zay Jones

There was a lot of buzz surrounding wide receiver Zay Jones in the leadup to the preseason. But he’s yet to make a mark on the Raiders since general manager Mike Mayock traded a fifth-round draft pick for him in 2019. Can he finally deliver this season?

Early returns say yes. Along with Peterman, Jones provided life to the Raiders on the team’s first drive, hauling in a 28-yard catch when the Raiders had yet to settle into the game. Jones almost scored a touchdown, too, but came up just short on another picturesque reception. He finished with three catches on three targets for 57 yards. It’s the preseason, but this could finally be the year for Jones in the silver and black.

Trey Ragas

This rookie running back from Louisiana Lafayette was much talked about during training camp, especially considering his notable size. Measuring 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Ragas got the ball early and took advantage.

He scored the game’s first touchdown on a fourth-and-1 play, running off the right side of the offensive line to paydirt. He kept churning out yards as the game went along, displaying nimble feet to go along with his sizable heft.

With backup RB Jalen Richard out with an injury, Ragas could have a shot to make the team. He certainly didn’t hurt his chances on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Gus Bradley

The Raiders’ new defensive coordinator has a large task on his hands. The Las Vegas defense was awful a season ago, sidetracking the team’s playoff hopes. Bradley was brought to the desert to fix it.

On Saturday, his defense set the tone for change. He sent rookie cornerback Nate Hobbs on a blitz early and found results, resulting in a vicious QB sack. Blitzing is unusual for Bradley’s 3-deep zone scheme, but that aspect of his defense shone as well, blanketing the Seahawks’ offense early and often.

His front four provided decent pressure, and his experiment with second-year linebacker Tanner Muse wasn’t a failure, with Muse batting down a pass in the first half.

If Bradley can resurrect the Raiders’ numerous draft picks on defense and start his first-year Raiders off right, Las Vegas will be in business this season. So far, so good. Despite a few lapses from the reserves in the second half, Bradley’s defense allowed just 194 yards of offense against the Seahawks.

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