Three Raiders Who Stood Out In Win Over Lions

After a long off-season that included signings like Jordy Nelson and Doug Martin, a new head coach in Jon Gruden, and a holdout from Khalil Mack, the Oakland Raiders finally took the field Friday night for their first game of the preseason. With starters like Derek Carr only playing one drive, second and third string players were the key to the Raiders 16-10 win over the Detroit Lions.

The Raiders starting quarterback position is obviously filled but the backup spot is open as Connor Cook and EJ Manuel will be the competitors to backup Carr. Cook made a statement against the Lions finishing the game 11-for-19 with 141 yards and a touchdown pass. His first pass he threw was a 41-yard completion to Johnny Holton to get the Raiders inside the redzone for a drive that would lead to a field goal.

.@connor_cook03 ➡️ @Johnno_uc3. Gain of 41.

Chucky approves. #DETvsOAK

📺: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/hXEKVvXNLN

— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2018

Cook’s most impressive pass of the night might have been his lone touchdown pass of the night. The Raiders had the ball at the Lions 7-yard line early in the second quarter. The Lions only rushed four but the coverage and the small field forced Cook to roll out to his left, stop, and throw it to Ryan Switzer in a spot where only Switzer could catch it for the Raiders touchdown.

.@Switz. For six!
Cap it all off with a trip to The Black Hole. #DETvsOAK

📺: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kUbfS3Yow8

— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2018

Cook’s performance Friday may go a long way in helping him secure the backup role, especially with Manuel only playing the fourth quarter and throwing just six passes.

Another open spot for the Raiders is the third running back position. With Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin sharing majority of the carries going into the season, Oakland has Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, and Chris Warren III fighting for the rest of what could be limited carries.

All three had a decent amount of carries but Warren had the most and did the most with what he was given. The undrafted free agent finished the game with 13 carries for 86 yards including a 26-yard run and a 19-yard run. Warren, out of Texas, is looking to earn a spot on the 53-man roster after a junior year where he only had 71 carries for 314 yards and 6 touchdowns.

The most impressive single play of the game might have come from second-round pick P.J. Hall. Early in the game, the Lions lined up in a shotgun formation and on the snap, Hall pushed through Lions offensive lineman Joe Dahl and got to quarterback Matt Cassell for his only sack of the game.

Another look at our first sack of the preseason, brought to you by @pjjwatt.#DETvsOAK pic.twitter.com/PB4pyGdnXU

— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) August 11, 2018

Hall also had a deflected pass at the line, something he was known for during his time at Sam Houston State where he blocked 14 field goals.

The Raiders continue the preseason next Saturday where they travel down to Los Angeles to play the Rams.

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