Oakland Raiders: Five Positives from loss to the Vikings

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing an interception during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Friday’s 10-6 preseason loss to Minnesota was disappointing for everyone who was excited to see the new look Oakland Raiders after significant improvements during free agency and the draft. The Raiders first team offense and defense were both outplayed, and the backups couldn’t generate enough offense to overcome the early 10-0 deficit. Matt Schaub and his receivers looked out of synch. Tarell Brown got manhandled by Corrdarelle Patterson. Vikes TE Kyle Rudolph didn’t have a Raider defender within 10 yards of him on his big 1st-quarter play to set up the Vikings’ touchdown. Penalties killed drives for the Raiders and kept drives alive for the Vikings.  But hey, it’s week one of the preseason. If you’re going to make a bunch of costly penalties and blow coverages, it’s best to do it in games that don’t matter, and that game did not matter.

However there are some positive signs and good things that emerged in the disappointing game that should give us some hope as the team marches on towards the regular season. Here are five positives (or silver linings, if you will) from the first preseason game for the Raiders.