The Oakland Raiders had a great first win versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, 26-16. Here are the five best highlights from the Raiders’ Week 1 victory.
It might have been two days ago, but it still feels really good to know that the Oakland Raiders were able to go into Nashville and get a big Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. Admittedly, it was more of a defensive-minded game than we expected, given the nature of both secondaries. However, the result was a pleasant surprise for Raider Nation: a solid 26-16 victory.
There is still work to be done, as this NFL season is still green. Oakland needs to get more efficient in the passing game. Though the defense didn’t break very often, it would bend on the occasional drive, allowing Titans kicker Ryan Succop to put some points on the board with his strong leg.
Nevertheless, you have to be really amped up to beat a playoff-caliber team on the road by 10 points. Oakland will have its first home game of the season against the rebuilding New York Jets. While the Jets might be the worst team in football, let’s take care of business and get the job done at home in Week 2.
Before we move on to Week 2 completely, let’s take a few minutes to look back at some of the best highlights from the week that was for your Raiders. These five definitely got us out of our seats on Sunday. A lot to be excited about this team for sure.
5. Marshawn Lynch is back with 14-yard run
A lot has been made about veteran running back Marshawn Lynch will bring to this Raiders team after he’s spent a year out of football. Physically, he didn’t seem to break down when he was with the 2015 Seattle Seahawks. He might have needed a mental break from the sport, but he came back in Week 1 in a big way on Sunday for the Silver and Black.
Tennessee would foolishly try the onside kick on their first kickoff of their season. It didn’t catch rookie safety Shalom Luani off guard, as he corralled the short kick from Succop to begin the Raiders’ first drive in great field position.
BeastMode gonna BEASTMODE. #OAKvsTEN #RaiderNation https://t.co/rkEweIhNV6
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2017
After quarterback Derek Carr completed a six-yard pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper, it was time for the Raiders to go into Beast Mode. Lynch would take the handoff from Carr to the right side from the Tennessee 44-yard line. He would shake a few defenders and break a tackle as he moved back to the middle of the field for a terrific 14-yard gain.
That run would set the tone for the Raiders’ first offensive drive. Oakland would find pay dirt two plays later on a pass from Carr to Cooper, but that great first run from Lynch had the Raiders feeling very confident about getting points on that first drive. In two plays, Oakland was already in field goal range thanks to this shifty run by Lynch.