Oakland Raiders fall flat in loss to Packers

The Oakland Raiders failed to build on an encouraging preseason debut, losing 20-12 to the Green Bay Packers in an uneventful preseason affair at Lambeau Field.

After an encouraging preseason debut, the Oakland Raiders submitted a far less inspired performance in their second straight preseason road game. Coming out flat at Lambeau Field in a discouraging loss to the Green Bay Packers in which the Raiders looked like they were playing at half speed for much of the four quarters in a 20-12 loss.

Starting with an opening drive where Eddie Lacy ran all over the Raiders first unit, the effort just didn’t appear to be there on a night in which the Packers dominated regardless of who was on the field. Sitting many of their key veterans and still controlling things with the starters on the field before holding on with the backups.

Backup quarterback Brett Hundley looked strong for the Packers while the Raiders offense failed to put a touchdown on the board despite Derek Carr playing much of the first half. A lazer pass to Amari Cooper serving as the lone highlight for Carr and the first team offense, who struggled to get going after an extra week of practices.

In the second half more of the same struggles would persist for the Raiders with the backups in as usually consistent preseason performer Matt McGloin struggled as well with a disappointing performance. The Raiders offense failing to get going regardless of the personnel on the field as all four quarters were ugly for the Silver and Black on Thursday night.

The lone highlight of the game for the Raiders ended up being a blocked punt touchdown in the fourth quarter to make the final score a bit more respectable. Ending the game at 20-12 and giving the Raiders their only touchdown on a night the team will like to quickly forget as there will be little positives to focus on in the aftermath of a dismal second preseason game.

Next up for the Raiders will be their first preseason game of the month at the Coliseum as the Silver and Black will host the Tennessee Titans in the all-important third preseason game. With the starters expected to get an increase in playing time, expect head coach Jack Del Rio to demand a better effort than what was on display at Lambeau against the Packers. Tonight simply wasn’t good enough even by preseason standards and the Raiders will want to find answers before the games start to count after seeing regression from the preseason debut.