Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders: Game Preview and Prediction
By Alex Perl
The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Seattle Seahawks in Game 1 of the preseason, and here is the preview and prediction for the matchup.
Most preseason games do not come with this much excitement and anticipation, but this is a completely different season than the previous year in the NFL. Due to COVID-19 in 2020, preseason football was absent, and so were the fans, making the first season of Las Vegas Raiders football a strange one.
With fans back in the stands, we will preview the game and give a prediction on how the Raiders will perform vs the visiting Seahawks tonight.
Game Preview
We have to remember this is a preseason game, so for all of the fans of the big-name players like Derek Carr and Russell Wilson, they will not be a part of this game. With backup quarterback Marcus Mariota out of action due to injury, the Raiders will be starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback, and starting opposite Peterman for the Seahawks, we will likely see an assortment of quarterbacks, led by incumbent backup Geno Smith.
For the Raiders, seeing undrafted rookie Trey Ragas get some carries might clarify the muddy third running back spot for the Raiders. We also get first glimpses at other rookies such as safety Tre’Von Moehrig, nickel cornerback Nate Hobbs, and first-round offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood.
The outside linebacker battle will continue as we get a chance to see Tanner Muse in actual playing action, as well as a view on second-year receivers Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards. This should be a game the Raiders win easily, as many of the players getting reps compared to the Seahawks should be regular-season starters.
Raiders vs. Seahawks: Game Prediction
The true outcome of this game is not that important, the main sign of importance is to see some of the younger players get competitive game-time reps. With a slew of rookies and second-year players vying for starting positions, we have many positions to keep an eye on tonight.
With that being said, I expect Las Vegas to win this game, simply because better players will be on the field. This is not a Derek Carr-Russell Wilson battle but it is Nathan Peterman vs Geno Smith, or whoever takes the most reps at quarterback between Alex McGough and Sean Mannion.
Las Vegas should win this one with ease, which is also the prediction by WynnBET, with the Raiders as the betting favorites. For Silver and Black fans, it should be a fun and entertaining game to watch as we get to see just how this 2021 rookie class is shaping up, while also seeing the development of some of the other young players on the roster.
Prediction: Raiders 24, Seahawks 12