La gran pregunta sobre si los Raiders utilizarían a elementos titulares durante la pretemporada fue respondida con un "si" la noche del sábado en el Estadio SoFi de Inglewood. Un "si" breve, pero con el cual la Raider Nation pudo ver sobre el emparrillado enfundado en los colores negro y plata por primera vez al mariscal Jimmy Garoppolo y a otros elementos que arribaron a Las Vegas durante la temporada baja como Jakobi Meyers, Michael Meyers, Marcus Epps, y más.
"Siempre tienes esa conversación en tu cabeza cada año y sentimos que con los jugadores nuevos que estarían jugando su primer partido juntos, queríamos que tuviesen ese sentimiento fuera del camino hoy e ir por una preparación previa al juego sabiendo que iban a jugar", dijo el entrenador en jefe Josh McDaniels sobre la utilización de los jugadores titulares en el partido. "Es diferente cuando sabes que vas a ser golpeado y derribar a jugadores, en comparación a los entrenamientos cuando no lo haces. Tomando esa decisión como staff, como organización con Dave (Ziegler). Nuestros jugadores tuvieron una gran mentalidad de querer hacerlo y hacerlo bien. No todo fue perfecto, pero pudimos conseguir que entraran, se comunicaran y jugaran una serie a la ofensiva juntos, y algunos snaps a la defensiva. Pienso que fue lo mejor para nuestro equipo".
'Jimmy G' completó los cuatro pases que intentó para 39 yardas, comandando a los Raiders a la zona roja donde acabaron anotando un touchdown por medio de un acarreo de Brandon Bolden. Solo jugó una serie, pero para él fue su primer accionar en un partido desde el 4 de Diciembre del 2022 y acepta que le ayudará a futuro el haber podido entrar al campo, completar pases y hasta recibir impacto de un defensor rival.
"Quería jugar y estoy contento que Josh haya dejado a los titulares salir al campo", aseguró Garoppolo. "Creo que la línea jugó bien, estábamos operando en un ritmo rápido, que es importante en esta ofensiva. En general, creo que nos fue bien".
Por segundo partido de pretemporada consecutivo, los Raiders anotaron 34 puntos. En esta ocasión, recibieron ayuda con la defensa consiguiendo un touchdown por medio de una intercepción regresada a las diagonales de Isaiah Pola Mao. Pero la efectividad en la zona roja es un punto de énfasis para los Malosos y lograron tener marca positiva en ese aspecto de nuevo, al meterse a las diagonales en tres de sus cuatro viajes dentro de la yarda 20 rival. En la actual pretemporada tienen 7 anotaciones en 8 ataques de zona roja, para una efectividad de 87.5%.
Aidan O'Connell comandó dos de esas ofensivas que terminaron con touchdowns, ambos aéreos y con nivel de dificultad alto. En tercera oportunidad, el producto de la Universidad de Purdue conectó en la zona de anotación con Cam Sims en el tercer cuarto y con Kristian Wilkerson en el último parcial. O'Connell sigue aprovechando el tiempo de juego que recibe sobre el emparrillado, ingresando en la segunda mitad donde completó 11 pases para 163 yardas y el par de touchdowns ya mencionados.
En estos partidos de pretemporada cada snap cuenta en la pelea por un puesto en el roster final de 53 jugadores y el agente libre no drafteado Drake Thomas definitivamente dejó una buena impresión al terminar con 10 tacleadas, incluyendo una para pérdida de yardaje. Fue el único jugador en este partido en terminar con más de cinco tacleadas.
La única captura de mariscal de campo contabilizada en el partido para los Malosos llegó cortesía del nigeriano David Agoha, jugador que forma parte del roster de Las Vegas por medio del Programa de Camino del Jugador Internacional. El ex jugador de baloncesto y béisbol derribó a Brett Rypien en la última serie ofensiva del partido para los Rams.
El fútbol americano complementario es lo que los Raiders necesitan para tener una posibilidad mayor de ganar partidos y eso es lo que han hecho en sus primeros dos juegos de la pretemporada. Ofensiva, defensiva y equipos especiales han colaborado. Con ello han logrado despegarse en el marcador de sus oponentes y ponerle cerrojazo a sus victorias. Eso es algo que necesitan que se convierta en hábito, al igual que la constancia. Los propios jugadores tienen un estándar alto en prácticas y eso se está trasladando a los partidos también. Ahora tienen una última prueba de pretemporada visitando a Dallas y después de ella vienen los partidos donde el marcador verdaderamente cuenta.
View photos from the Raiders' preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo(10) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (72) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo(10) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (11) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) celebrates after rushing for a 7-yard touchdown during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a PAT during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters (24) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Netane Muti (54) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback David Long Jr. (28) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeAndre Carter (3) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jordan Willis (99) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeAndre Carter (3) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeAndre Carter (3) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Netane Muti (54) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (11) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 46-yard field goal during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) is congratulated after kicking a 46-yard field goal during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the sidelines during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jesper Horsted (80) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) returns an interception for a 50-yard touchdown during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a PAT during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (11) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (11) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 30-yard field goal during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Drake Thomas (57) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end George Tarlas (79), linebacker Amari Burney (56) and linebacker Drake Thomas (57) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (42) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (97) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end George Tarlas (79) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cam Sims (81) makes a 12-yard touchdown catch during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrate a touchdown during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant offensive line coach Cameron Clemmons celebrates a touchdown during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Justin Herron (71) and offensive lineman Vitaliy Gurman Jr. (73) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Drake Thomas (57) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. (92) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (97) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end George Tarlas (79) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Damien Williams (32) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Justin Herron (71) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end John Samuel Shenker (86) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) celebrates after making a 2-yard touchdown catch during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jesper Horsted (80) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Drake Thomas (57) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Matthew Butler (94) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (97) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) during the preseason away game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium.
