NFL 2016 Preseason Week 2 Raiders Recap
After a very impressive 31-10 win at the Arizona Cardinals in the opening 2016 preseason game, the Silver and Black took a giant step back. They were at the Green Bay Packers, and there was more cause for concern than comfort.
Aaron Rodgers did not play. This did not matter, as a backup quarterback punched through the Raiders starting defense on a 14 play, 74 yard drive. Eddie Lacy ran the Raiders into the ground. The Packers took a 7-0 lead. Lacy rushed for 45 yards on 9 carries, and on 3rd and goal at the one, the defense could not stop him. The Raiders responded with a field goal on their opening drive.
While it is true that the starting defense did not give up any points the rest of the half, the opening drive was awful. Making matters worse, the starting offense was listless. Derek Carr and his receivers were out of synch.
The Raiders only trailed 7-3 at halftime, but anemic offense is what has plagued the Raiders in recent seasons and prevented them from getting to the next level. Carr completed 9 of 13 passes, but for only 38 yards. That is way too much sinking and dunking. Latavius Murray had 6 carries for only 19 yards, and that was against a Packers defense playing without Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews.
Matt McGloin had success last week, but was only 2 of 5 for 2 total yards in this game. Connor Cook saw extensive playing time and finished 6 of 9 for 101 yards. Yet the offense could only muster 2 field goals the entire game.
The only Raiders touchdown came late in the game on special teams, when they blocked a punt and recovered in the end zone.
The Raiders starters lost to the Packers backups. It is only preseason, but it is not good. 20-12 Packers