Oakland Raiders lose for first time in preseason

In the final preseason game for the Oakland Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks, defending NFC champions, absolutely ran over them handing the team their first loss of the preseason. Previously, the Oakland Raiders were 4-0 for the first time in their 47-year history.

For many who witnessed the game, this was finally what they were looking for; a preseason game that wasn’t boring and one that gave a taste of the upcoming NFL season. After watching the Oakland Raiders jump on the board first with a 72-yard punt return by Chris Carr, the Seattle Seahawks answered back with Shaun Alexander scoring from 5 yards out.

Alexander’s touchdown play seemed broken at first as it was designed to go left, but Alexander, using his MVP ability, spun and turned it back to the right side and dove in for the touchdown. He finished with 5 carries and 18 yards total before leaving the rest of the game to the reserves who also showed they could play.

Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace and backup running back Marquis Weeks flourished the rest of the game both finishing with touchdowns. After Josh Brown made two field goals from 40+ yards, Seneca Wallace threw for a touchdown from 12 yards out late in the first half. Wallace was able to sit back in the pocket and drift around as he found D.J. Hackett in the back of the end zone.

Maurice Weeks found the end zone late in the third quarter scoring on a 1-yard run and finishing the game with 22 carries for 78 yards.

The Oakland Raiders couldn’t get any offensive drives going as Seattle’s defense played tenaciously allowing only five first downs. Coach Mike Hologram was pleased with the defense’s performance because in previous games, the defense gave up many big plays on third down. They looked very crisp and sound in last night’s performance.

In total, Seattle dominated finishing with 362 total yards to Oakland’s 104.

Neither the first team nor any team after that could get any offense for Oakland. On the first series, Aaron Brooks and company went six plays for only seven yards. After being replaced with Andrew Walter and his crew, the Oakland Raiders went 10 yards on 22 plays in the first half, including passing for a negative 3 yards being sacked three times in the process. The game didn’t get any better when Marques Tuiasosopo came in and through an interception when throwing only six passes total. He did throw for 51 yards, compared to Walter’s 26 and Brooks’ 17.
Veteran quarterback Jeff George, who was signed earlier this week, dressed for the game but did not play. George is coming out of a 5-year absence from the NFL. This is the second stint with the Oakland Raiders for the former No .1 overall draft pick who bounced from team to team throughout his entire career. George’s resume includes time with the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and Chicago Bears.

The Seattle Seahawks open their season versus the Detroit Lions on Sept. 10 and the Oakland Raiders will be playing divisional rival, the San Diego Chargers, in a Monday Night Football Doubleheader on Sept. 11. The game before the Oakland and San Diego game is the Minnesota Vikings going up against the Washington Redskins.