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AP Photograph/David Dermer
The primary NFL preseason sport is full. After an offseason stuffed with trades and dramatic twists, consuming contemporary soccer felt so good. The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-11 within the 2022 NFL Corridor of Fame Recreation on Thursday.
The most important names on every staff sat this sport out to keep away from damage. We’ll proceed to attend to see if Jaguars constructing blocks Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne and Christian Kirk can develop chemistry. We additionally missed out on seeing the renewed connection between Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and receiver Davante Adams.
That does not imply we did not study one thing about each the Raiders and Jaguars. We discovered 5 key takeaways from the Corridor of Fame Recreation.
With each groups breaking in new teaching staffs of their first aggressive motion of the season, each bit of knowledge of how this season might unfold is useful. Let’s bounce into our high takeaways.
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AP Photograph/David Dermer
He solely performed the primary two drives of the sport, however No. 1 choose Travon Walker made his presence felt. Walker bullied Raiders backup left deal with Brandon Parker all through his snaps, logging his first sack and making use of strain on Jarrett Stidham a number of occasions. He was known as for a debatable roughing the passer on his first play after powering by Parker’s chest to get into the pocket.
The Jaguars knew they have been getting an athletic pass-rusher who might win with glorious energy after they drafted him. Nonetheless, Walker was anticipated to want time to determine his hand utilization and the nuance of the position contemplating he was primarily tasked with stopping the run at Georgia. In opposition to the Raiders, Walker confirmed his developmental curve won’t be so massive.
The Jaguars additionally noticed stable performances from Arden Key and Ok’Lavon Chaisson, whereas star edge-rusher Josh Allen did not play. The rotation of the 4 athletic defenders might shortly change the id of this protection. Walker can be a large a part of that effort if this primary sport was any indication of what is to come back.
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Whereas most starters sat this sport out for each groups, the Raiders opted to play all of their operating backs regardless of the sphere being moist. This included the highest two backs on their depth chart: Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake. It is doable it isn’t dangerous information for his or her roster standing, however it’s definitely not excellent news that both is protected of their position.
Jacobs was fed 5 carries and two receptions for 44 whole yards regardless of being a confirmed expertise in his fourth season. He is additionally in a contract 12 months. Most beginning tailbacks do not play within the preseason till the third sport, if in any respect, because of the danger of damage.
Drake can be in a contract 12 months and performed sufficient snaps to scratch your head about his future. He logged 5 carries for 9 yards earlier than leaving the sphere with an obvious hand damage. He returned later within the sport. With Brandon Bolden additionally on the roster as a plus pass-catcher, Drake’s position might be in jeopardy.
Head coach Josh McDaniels confirmed he was unafraid to lose his high two backs.
Backups Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah regarded glorious of their touches. White racked up 52 speeding yards and 23 receiving yards. Abdullah ran for under seven yards on two makes an attempt however had 23 yards on two catches.
This might be a scenario to observe as the ultimate cutdown day arrives earlier than the beginning of the common season.
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AP Photograph/David Dermer
The primary half from Jacksonville’s offense was an eerie flashback to what the staff regarded like beneath City Meyer final 12 months. After all, the Jaguars sat the vast majority of their affect starters to keep away from damage. However the lack of rhythm and movement from the unit on a staff led by veteran head coach Doug Pederson was shocking nonetheless.
The Jaguars solely had two absolutely padded practices getting into the sport. This definitely was an element to some extent. Nonetheless, their determination to roster backups Jake Luton and Kyle Sloter must also be questioned since their degree of play was abysmal all through the evening.
Major backup C.J. Beathard additionally is not the reply to be aggressive in video games if Lawrence goes down. If Lawrence suffers a significant damage, the Jaguars confirmed nothing throughout the Corridor of Fame Recreation for us to imagine they’d have a preventing likelihood to compete on a weekly foundation.
That is a troublesome capsule to swallow for a staff that spent $175.3 million in ensures this offseason. Pederson should convey how essential it’s for this younger staff stuffed with new items to jell earlier than the common season. If he does not, the Jaguars might be in for a tough begin to the 12 months till they discover their footing.
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Nick Cammett/Getty Pictures
Having a high quality backup quarterback might be the distinction between successful another sport and making the playoffs or lacking the postseason. The Raiders traded a sixth-round choose for Jarett Stidham shortly after McDaniels took the pinnacle teaching job. The 2 had beforehand labored collectively in New England since Stidham was drafted within the fourth spherical in 2019.
Stidham confirmed some promise as a strong-armed, athletic passer in his few alternatives. He continued constructing constructive momentum on this sport, finishing eight of 15 passes for 96 yards. He additionally ran for a 12-yard landing.
Nick Mullins performed properly behind Stidham and produced a better completion proportion. However Stidham additionally misplaced a possible deep landing when receiver Tyron Johnson dropped a superbly positioned ball that fell into his palms.
After this efficiency, the Raiders might be extra assured they will win a sport if Derek Carr has to depart a contest early or miss per week for any purpose.
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AP Photograph/Ellen Schmidt
After utilizing the offseason so as to add stars like Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, the Raiders’ depth at a number of positions was nonetheless value questioning. Who their second exterior receiver past Adams could be was a priority. Their cornerback room lacked an apparent rotation.
We have been capable of see each the receiver and nook positions carry out properly in opposition to the Jaguars. The receivers anticipated to compete for the No. 2 exterior job are Keelan Cole, Mack Hollins, Tyron Johnson and Demarcus Robinson. Hollins, Johnson and Cole began whereas Robinson performed into the second half. Johnson caught out probably the most due to his deep velocity and talent to get open. He was one drop away from an ideal exhibiting.
Cole left the sport after being hit within the head on an end-around. Nonetheless, the Raiders ought to really feel higher about their capability to complement their passing sport after seeing Cole (1 catch, 31 yards) and Johnson (2 catches, 39 yards) play properly.
The cornerback who made probably the most out of his alternative was veteran Darius Phillips. With 4 tackles, Phillips confirmed nice self-discipline and toughness within the run sport. He additionally compelled a fumble that led to a change of possession. These are the kind of well timed performs this Raiders protection might want to survive within the tough AFC West.
