Game action photos from the Raiders Week 1 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Heading into the Oakland Raiders season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals Raiders.com Senior Editor Jerry Knaak posed five questions. Here are the answers to those five questions in the wake of a 33-13 loss.
1. Will Aldon Smith play?
The Raiders signed linebacker Aldon Smith Friday and according to Pro Football Focus, he played 29 snaps and recorded one quarterback hit – the only hit the Raiders got on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.
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- Will the Raiders be able to stop the run?**
The Bengals rushed for 127 yards on 31 carries with 2 touchdowns. Running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard ran for 63 yards each.
3. Will the Raiders be able to run the ball?
Running back Latavius Murray wasn't spectacular, but was solid with 44 yards on 11 carries. Down 24-0 at halftime, the Raiders weren't able to run as much as they would have liked in the second half. Fullback Jamize Olawale did have a 60-yard run called back on a backside holding penalty.
4. How well will the Raiders defend the pass?
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for 269 yards and 2 TDs. Tight end Tyler Eifert caught 9 balls for 104 yards and those 2 scores, wide receiver A.J. Green caught 5 passed for 63 yards. Dalton was only hit once, and only pressured five times.
5. Can the Raiders kick start the season right off the bat?
No. That's going to have to wait a week. As quarterback Matt McGloin said last night, "It's one game. We've got 15 games left." The Raiders will "go back to the lab" as wide receiver Michael Crabtree put it, and try to get things straight with the Baltimore Ravens coming to town.
