The Raiders locked up another preseason win in a 33-26 victory over the Arizona Cardinals that was not as close as it appears. The first-team offense and defense built a substantial lead early, jumping out to a 26-0 start to the game.
There were tons of players to highlight with a good outing all around. Keelan Doss continues to impress, as does fifth-round pick Hunter Renfrow. The defense looks strong with them holding the Cardinals’ starters to just 12 total yards while Kyler Murray was in the game.
Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from Week 2 of the preseason.
Winner: DB Lamarcus Joyner
The Raiders starting defense had a great showing overall, but the stand out was Joyner. The safety and slot corner put on a display plus shined in the interviews during the game.
Joyner was all over the field making plays on Thursday night. He displayed great coverage from the slot, going man to man with Larry Fitzgerald and leaving no room for Murray to throw the football. Joyner’s biggest play of the night was when he blitzed from the slot position and created a safety with his sack of Murray.
If this is what the Raiders paid for in the offseason, then it is going to be an excellent year for their new defensive toy.
Winner: RB Josh Jacobs
Jacobs was a draft pick that has seen love and hate. The Raiders selecting a running back in the first round is seen to skeptics as a bad value, but Jacobs look the part during his first action in an NFL game.
Jacobs finished with four carries for 21 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Everyone was able to see his evident power on his first run that looked like it went for 3 yards but ended up being 7.
On his next run, he displayed vision and patience, helping him find the hole and get to the next level. Jacobs sold some jerseys with this showing and fans still haven’t seen him catch the football. The outing will also raise his fantasy value to the next level.
Winner: QB Mike Glennon
The backup quarterback job is still up for grabs with neither quarterback making their mark after the first game preseason. Glennon took a step forward in securing that job by making huge throws all over the field Thursday night.
Glennon finished the night 11 of 14 with a YPA of 12.1. He started off with a strike to Rico Gafford for a 53-yard touchdown. Glennon continued to make big plays, helping the Raiders offense move the ball down the field with ease, hitting receivers for significant gains on every pass.
With Petermen displaying his usual dinking and dunking, it was nice to see a backup quarterback consistently challenging the defense downfield.
Loser: CB Nick Nelson
Fans were excited when they drafted a young corner in the fourth round last year to play the slot in Paul Guenther’s defense. Instead, Nelson had a disappointing rookie season and did not have a bounce-back game Thursday night.
Nelson looked lost in coverage and struggled to stick with receivers on deep routes. He was burned by Trent Sheffield on a deep pass, allowing the Cardinals’ first touchdown of the game after losing the ball in the air. For Nelson to make this football team, he needs a better showing than what the put on film Thursday night.
Loser: DE Josh Mauro
Mauro is projected to be the Raiders’ starting defensive end, but that seems to dwindle every day. As Arden Key continues to shine in the preseason, Mauro has to get back on the field quickly to keep his job for opening day.
Key had another performance where he looked like the best player on the defensive line. His development in run support will be crucial as the Raiders defense continues to grow and refine its technique.
Mauro has never been a proven commodity that consistently creates pressure on the quarterback in the NFL and is a run-stopping defensive end. The more he sits out with an injury, the better chance Key will get the start.
Loser: RB Doug Martin
The Raiders running back room is exceptionally crowded. The running backs behind Jacobs have to show their worth to earn playing time as the backup running back. Doug Martin did not put his best foot forward against Arizona.
While he only had two carries, one was at the goal line – where he struggled last year, as well – and didn’t score. Martin finished the day with only 1 yard, while players like DeAndre Washington displayed their abilities to make big plays in the passing game.
Martin should still make the final 53, but it looks less and less likely as the preseason progresses. He needs a great performance in the third preseason game.
