The Las Vegas Raiders ended the preseason with a 20-10 loss at the Arizona Cardinals. Las Vegas finished the preseason with an 0-2-1 record.
The Raiders’ starters played for the third straight game.
The Cardinals’ starters on both sides did not play. The Raiders faced front-line players in a very limited role this preseason. Seattle didn’t use its starters in a Week 1 tie and and San Francisco had their starters basically play just a series in a Raiders’ loss in Week 2.
The Cardinals started third-string quarterback Clayton Tune started and against Las Vegas’ starters and the Cardinals went on a quick three-and-out series to open the game.
The Raiders’ starters on offense played as well. Jordan Meredith was at center and Jackson Powers-Johnson was at guard and that should be the case in Week 1 at New England.
Helped by penalties by the Cardinals’ deep backups scoring a touchdown on a nine-play, 60-yard drive. it was capped by a nice throw/catch from Smith and fourth-round pick Dont’a Thornton. it went for 17 yards.
Thornton has been a getting a lot of action in practice and in games. Expect him to get a chance to be an early contributor.
Ashton Jeanty had two carries for five yards before leaving the game. Zamir White had four carries on the first drive for 19 yards. He will will likely be part of the running-back rotation. White finished with 42 yards on nine carries.
The Raiders’ first-unit defense played again on the second drive and forced just three-and-out and Malcolm Koonce had a sack as he showed he’s ready for the season after missing last year with a torn ACL.
Smith’s night ended after the first drive and Aidan O’Connell replaced him. He was sacked and lost a fumble. It was his fourth turnover of the preseason. The Cardinals turned that turnover into a touchdown after a short drive and tied the game with 3:45 to go in the first quarter.
Raiders’ kicker Daniel Carlson continued his strong preseason with a 52-yard field goal to make it 10-7 early in the second quarter. It was his fourth field goal of 50-plus yards in the preseason.
The Cardinals’ had a 38-yard run on the next drive, continuing the Raiders; issues against the run in the preseason Arizona tied the game on the drive.
Tyree Wilson played a lot of was very active, continuing a solid preseason. Linebacker Jamal Adams also appeared to be very active.
Tackle Thayer Munford had a rough game and a rough preseason, really. He has given up nine pressures in the preseason according to ESPN. He gave the sack that O’Connell fumbled on. He may not make the 53-man roster.
Third-round pick, cornerback Darien Porter appeared to struggle and he had had an up-and-down preseason. He was a starter early in camp, but he may slip in the rotation during the regular season.
Rookie quarterback Cam Miller replaced O’Connell midway through the second quarter after he was injured with a right wrist issue. Raiders coach Pete Carroll said after the game O’Connell will be out 6-8 weeks with a fractured wrist. Expect the Raiders to try to find a veteran backup in the coming days.
Miller seemed to regress in the last two preseason games after a strong start at Seattle. He completed 12 of 24 passes for 102 yards Saturday. Still, he is probably still in line to make the 53-man roster as the No. 3 quarterback behind O’Connell or someone else.
In the third quarter, cornerback Greedy Vance, who had a solid preseason, had a nice blitz sack.
Late in the third quarter, the Raiders’ run defense issues struck again as Bam Knight broke off a 67-yard touchdown run against Las Vegas’ deep backups as Arizona took a 17-10 lead.
Andre Carter had another sack in the fourth quarter to continue a strong preseason. He could sneak onto the 53-man roster.
Neither backup running backs Sincere McCormick or Dylan Laube did much. They combined for 17 yards on eight carries. It may be an either or situation for them on the 53-man roster.
The Raiders’ preseason penalty issues continued as they were flagged nine times for 77 yards. They were penalized 26 times and lost the penalty battle in all three games.
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