5 Raiders that need a better preseason game against Cowboys

The Oakland Raiders have not won either of their preseason games this summer. Here are five guys that need to be better versus the Dallas Cowboys this week.

While the Oakland Raiders’ second preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night wasn’t great, the 24-21 defeat was a significantly better effort all-around when compared to the first preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago in Glendale, 20-10.

The Raiders had the offense humming with starting quarterback Derek Carr under center. He was able to get the most out of Todd Downing’s offense, connecting with tight end Lee Smith on a beautiful touchdown pass in the first quarter. The ground game was better because Marshawn Lynch was in it on his two powerful carries.

However, the Raiders defense continues to look like Swiss cheese at all levels. The Rams were able to run the ball with conviction on this outmatched defensive front. Oakland’s linebackers were not always in the right position to make plays in the middle of the field. Of course, there was the occasional secondary miscue or seven.

Overall, the Raiders should have an elite offense again this year, but most get better defensively in a hurry if they want to get back into the AFC Playoffs again. While some guys shined on Saturday night at the Coliseum in the Silver and Black, these five Raiders will need a better game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night in Preseason Week 3.

After dealing with a myriad of injuries last season in his second year in the league, former Florida State standout defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. should be back to good physically heading into 2017. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie used a second-round pick on the former Seminole. It’s time for him to put it all together with the Raiders.

While Edwards would record two tackles, he was a player that could have helped in run defense for the Raiders. Rams running back Todd Gurley ran all over this bewildered defensive line of the Raiders. All that did was set up the great play action fake of Rams quarterback Jared Goff. He put on a passing clinic on the Raiders defense largely because they couldn’t stop the run.

If the Raiders can’t be competitive at the line of scrimmage defensively, this will be an incredibly long year for the defense. It’s about getting push up front to create havoc in the pocket to help out a sub-par secondary. McKenzie has invested a few high picks in getting this defensive line up and running.

Edwards needs to take charge and be ready to compete against the elite offensive line of the Cowboys. Sure, the Rams’ front-five is much improved, but it was embarrassing to see the Los Angeles front go to work on the Raiders that easily. Edwards needs to bring an A+ game to wrangle with the Cowboys in Jerryworld on Saturday.