[brid autoplay=”true” video=”811939″ player=”23231″ title=”The%20NFL%20and%20Las%20Vegas%20Raiders%20hit%20the%20mark%20with%20their%20responses%20to%20Carl%20Nassib%20coming%20out” duration=”113″ description=”Carolyn Manno and Vinny Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal praise the NFL and the Las Vegas Raiders for their respective responses to DE Carl Nassib coming out as the first active gay NFL player.” uploaddate=”2021-06-25″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/811939_t_1624649362.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/811939.mp4″]
The Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders will kick off their 2021 NFL preseason schedules on Aug. 14. This represents the first preseason home game in Vegas. It will also be the Raiders’ initial game with fans in attendance. Below, we preview this preseason opener for each team.
Despite adding veterans such as Willie Snead and John Brown to the mix this past offfseason, Las Vegas will be relying on two youngsters to step up. That comes in the form of 2020 first-round pick Henry Ruggs and fellow classmate, Bryan Edwards.
As for Seattle, it lost defensive backs Shaquill Griffin and Quinton Dunbar in free agency. Can the team’s revamped and young secondary hold it together for an otherwise questionable defense?
We’re not exactly sure how much Russell Wilson is going to play in the opener. He could see action for one or two possessions. However, it’s all about the Seahawks’ No. 2 quarterback job here. Can Geno Smith hold it down against Alex McGough and Sean Mannion?
As for the Raiders, they added a whopping four former Pro Bowlers to a defense that yielded nearly 30 points per game last season. While this fourseome should play major roles once Week 1 comes calling, it’s going to be all about the youngsters Saturday evening in Sin City.
Click here to find out the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl odds
Vegas added Pro Bowl edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to the mix in free agency. It still needs former top-four pick Clelin Ferrell to show out. The Clemson product should see a ton of preseason action with his spot in the rotation now on the line.
As for Seattle, we touched on the team’s offensive line issues above. Regardless of who is under center Saturday evening, it’s vital that Pete Carroll and Co. acquire a better understanding of their depth.
Where do the Raiders and Seahawks rank on defense?
Bottom line: This Raiders vs Seahawks matchup should be a whole heck of a lot of fun. A packed house right off the Vegas strip on a Saturday night. On the field, we’re expecting the Raiders to come out on top. Simply put, they have much more to look at when it comes to forming a final roster.