Oakland Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams: Highlights, score, recap

The Oakland Raiders feel to the Los Angeles Rams in their second preseason game of the season, 24-21. Here are all the highlights, a recap and final score.

We know that the Oakland Raiders are going to be good on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, maybe not so much. While Oakland put up a pair of touchdowns in the first half, they trailed the Los Angeles Rams by a field goal 17-14 at intermission.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was strong in his first game back after breaking his leg. He completed seven of nine passes for 100 yards, two touchdowns and one miserable interception. Carr looks to have complete command of Todd Downing’s offense. It was nice to see Marshawn Lynch get a few carries in the first quarter to get the home crowd fired up.

However, it was poor execution on defense that would again be the story for this Raiders team. Rams running back Todd Gurley had eight carries for 38 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Rams were able to use the run to open up the pass for quarterback Jared Goff since the Raiders’ front-seven struggled to make the first tackle.

Goff had a great night, especially when he targeted rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The Rams offense is far from dynamic, but looks much improved from last year’s debacle. Outside of Khalil Mack early and Marquel Lee at times in the middle of the game, the Raiders lacked a lot of playmaking ability on defense.

While the second team would tighten it up defensively in the third quarter, the Raiders offense largely stagnated with EJ Manuel at quarterback. He was not as precise with his throws as he had been against the Arizona Cardinals last week. Everything was high and he couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm at all. He completed just three of nine passes for 16 yards.

Connor Cook would come in to quarterback the team shortly before the start of the fourth quarter. After a rough first drive, he would orchestrate a wonderful 11-play, 65-yard drive capped off by a touchdown strike to wideout Johnny Holton to take the lead late over the Rams, 21-17.

Rams backup quarterback Sean Mannion would put together a strong drive of his own. His would be a 13-play, 80-yard one, hitting wide receiver Josh Reynolds to take the lead 24-21 after the made PAT. Cook would get another shot to tie or take the lead, but he would turn it over on downs. Offense kept the team in the game, but the defense let the Raiders down.

Three Stars

1. Derek Carr: Carr completed seven of nine passes for 100 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
2. Jared Goff: Goff completed 16 of 20 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
3. Khalil Mack: Mack had three tackles, two solo, one for a loss of yardage and a quarterback sack.

Highlights

Next Game

The Raiders will travel to Texas to play the Dallas Cowboys in Jerryworld next week. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium in Arlington will be at 5:00 p.m PT on Saturday, Aug. 26. This will be the Raiders’ third of four preseason game this summer.

Next: Oakland Raiders 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Preseason Week 2

Dallas may be coming of a 13-3 season in 2016, but while the Cowboys were only one win better than the Raiders, their offseason has been a tumultuous one. Many players including star running back Ezekiel Elliott have been suspended to start the year. It could be a rough year in Big D for them Cowboys.