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After a dominant 20-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks to open the preseason, the Las Vegas Raiders look to continue their quest at a playoff berth this year with a strong showing in preseason Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Raiders elected to have primarily backups play during the matchup with the Seahawks, as franchise players Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, and Darren Waller each didn't see any snaps. Quarterback Nathan Peterman played the entirety of the game, going a respectable 29/39 for 246 yards, but also threw an interception without throwing for any touchdowns.
Standout performances included running backs Trey Ragas and B.J. Emmons, who combined to rush for over 100 yards on almost five yards per carry, while also finding paydirt on the ground, and wide receiver Zay Jones, who led the team with 57 receiving yards on 3 catches.
In Week 2, the Raiders should be playing more starters in what figures to be a much more exciting matchup with the high-powered Rams. Here are 4 bold takes on what's about to go down on Sunday.
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4. Bryan Edwards balls out
Receiver Bryan Edwards had a quiet 2020, but his sheer physical talent as a big-bodied receiver gives him a great shot at a breakout this year. He's simply a guy who gives quarterbacks an amazing catch radius â the kind of guy who makes QBs feel comfortable.
He's been having an amazing preseason, where coaches, teammates, and media have compared him to the likes of Terrell Owens, Davante Adams, and Randy Moss. Assuming he plays this Sunday against the Rams, he should be able to dominate against second-string Rams defensive backs.
3. Tre'von Moehrig makes his presence felt
Moehrig, like Edwards, has been making huge waves throughout training camp. Dubbed the âquiet assassinâ, he's been described by teammates as having a very calm, but imposing presence on the football field, and that showed this week during joint practice with the Rams as he picked off a Matthew Stafford pass.
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Despite his age, he's likely slotted in to be the starting free safety for the Raiders come Week 1, and that means he has to make the most of every rep until then. Look for him to be a difference-maker against L.A.
2. The D-line overwhelms L.A.'s passing attack
The Raiders defensive line has been inconsistent over the past couple years, but with the addition of Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby's return from injury, they'll have a group in 2021 that's both talented and deep. They've also got Clelin Ferrell, Carl Nassib and third-round rookie Malcolm Koonce, showcasing incredible pass-rushing depth.
The Rams' O-line isn't paltry, but they definitely aren't quite cut out to compete with backup pass rushers who could very well be starters on other teams, like Nassib. With their newfound depth, it's going to be difficult for L.A. to move the ball through the air, similarly to how the Seahawks struggled last week.
1. Marcus Mariota dominates
Mariota should see some game action this week, and these preseason games mean a lot for his future in the league. Though he won't ever take the starting job from Derek Carr barring injury, he has to prove to other teams that he's a capable starter who is worth trading for.
He flashed great moments in 2020 in the Raiders' 27-30 loss against the Chargers, and a matchup with the Rams' fearsome defense gives him a great opportunity to showcase his talents as well. As one of the best dual-threat talents remaining in the league, Mariota will have a great game on Sunday.
