NFL 2015 Preseason: Week 4 Raiders Recap
The Oakland Raiders traveled to Seattle to play the Seahawks in the final preseason game for both teams.
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Derek Carr had the night off, giving the Raider Nation absolutely nothing to gleam from the starting offense before the ball had even kicked off. Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray also had time to build their clipboard holding skills on the sideline.
Christian Ponder’s first pass was nearly intercepted. After completing one third down pass, the Raiders soon faced 3rd and 12. A dink and dunk West Coast Offense pass came up far short of the first down marker. The Seahawks took over at their own 37.
Russell Wilson did start, but Marshawn Lynch did not. On the second play from scrimmage, Wilson went for the bomb and ended up with a 62-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Seahawks lead. Wilson was done for the night after completing his only pass, as the game went to the backups after less than half of one quarter.
The Raiders again failed to move the ball but Marquette King bailed them out with a 64 yard punt. The Seahawks faced 3rd and 12 inside their own 10 with backup RJ Archer, but a draw play gave the Seahawks the first down. Rather than get the ball back with good field position, the Raiders let the backup quarterback lead the Seahawks to a 55 yard Steve Hauschka field goal for a 10-0 Seattle lead.
Ponder went deep incomplete and was lucky enough to draw a defensive pass interference penalty. Ponder went deep again and under threw a wide open receiver. A gift touchdown instead turned into what was still a very catchable ball that Brice Butler just dropped. The Raiders punted again after having only 13 net yards in their first 3 possessions, with negative rushing yards.
Early in the second quarter, Ponder headed to the bench and third stringer Matt McGloin came in. McGloin went back to pass in his own end zone and was belted from the blind side. The resulting fumble was recovered for a Seattle touchdown and a 17-0 Seahawks lead. McGloin never had a chance because the blocking on the outside was awful. He had no idea the hit was coming.
McGloin did fire one touchdown pass, which was overruled on review because the receiver bobbled a well thrown ball. McGloin fired again to the corner for the touchdown again as the Raiders got within 17-7. The 12 play, 85-yard, 7-minute drive showed that McGloin can do the job when given a chance to stand upright. McGloin on his next drive led the Raiders to a field goal try. The backup kicker from 52 missed it by a country mile.
McGloin kept firing in the third quarter, hitting Rod Streater for a 35-yard touchdown to get the Raiders within 17-14. Nevertheless, third string Seattle quarterback BJ Daniels led an 80 yard, 11 play, 6 minute drive. A touchdown pass made it 24-14. Seattle eventually pounded it in on the ground for the 31-14 lead. For some reason Christian Ponder was brought back in the game. A garbage touchdown completed the scoring.
The loss could not be blamed on Trent Richardson, who was cut before the game. At the rate many of the backups are playing, they may join him soon.
31-21 Seahawks