Raiders Weekly News and Notes: 9/16/2020

Raider Nation… the wait is over… The NFL has officially kicked off the inaugural season and are preparing to break ground in The Death Star in Monday nights’ home opener against the New Orleans Saints.

The Raiders got their first win in team history as the Las Vegas Raiders against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The game was tight, but the defense stopped the run in the 4th quarter to take home a 34-30 win.

Running back Josh Jacobs had 29 touches, for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Jacobs’ terrific performance helped lead the Raiders to their first win of the 2020 season. Jacobs had an impressive week one performance, as he was nominated for the FedEx NFL Ground Player of the Week for the league’s most outstanding running back.

Of course, he couldn’t have done it alone. “The offensive line were monsters on the field,” stated Derek Carr. “They passed the line of scrimmage and helped protect the plays.”

Carr moved on from all of the offseason criticism and guided the Raiders offense masterfully. According to Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, “Derek Carr was great today, and that’s what we asked of him. In a game like this, we didn’t know much about our opponent. He made a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage and in the pocket and a real gut check drive in the 4th quarter.”

Some players made first-game jitters non-existent.

Safety Johnathan Abram had a 13-tackle performance. Henry Ruggs III, the Raiders’ second consecutive first-round pick from the University of Alabama, made some huge plays early for the Raiders; he left the game with a knee injury late in the first half but was able to return and finish out the game. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor caught an outstanding pass from Carr in the end zone to help the Raiders with a 17-12 lead in the 2nd quarter. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, and the defense stepped up in the 4th quarter to stop the run and help save the game.

The team did have a few injuries that startled Raider Nation in week 1. Starting linebacker, Nick Kwiatoski left the game for a pec injury, but it is not the season-ending torn pec many had feared. Nick Morrow stepped up and as the defensive play-caller. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Kwiatkoski played through a worse pec injury, and the MRI will give a full update on how long he will be out. Trent Brown left after three plays for a calf injury. Denzelle Good had to hold down the right tackle position after Sam Young also left the game with a groin injury.

After the 53-man cut-down, the staff made some shocking moves, with no regret. The coaching staff has constructed a youthful squad packed with energy. The team’s brain trust is confident that developing the guys they draft is a better way to build the team and look towards a successful future in Las Vegas.

The young Raiders are hungry to show off their cutting-edge talent, and a lot of the rookies and new faces have picked up the playbook quickly and are performing at a higher level than expected.

In other news, the Raiders have welcomed back Marcel Reece, who is officially a member of the Executive Team.

*Photo Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images*

Reece joined the Raiders in 2008 as an undrafted free agent, playing eight seasons. Originally a wide receiver, Reece transitioned to fullback and had a successful tenure with the Raiders organization. He is the senior advisor to Raiders owner Mark Davis and Team President Marc Badain.

“Marcel will also help to develop, implement and manage many of the exciting programs we have in store as we begin a new era in Las Vegas,” states Davis. “Welcome home, Marcel!!!”

New York New York’s Lady Liberty was dressed in fashion, sporting a Raiders jersey for the inaugural season. The number 20 represents the year the Silver and black first parades the streets of Las Vegas… A city in uncertain times is anticipating the inaugural home game of its new franchise.

The Raiders take on the Saints to open Allegiant Stadium on Monday in primetime on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes Raiders Weekly News and Notes

-Nyshon Zaragoza – Franchise Sports Media

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube