After an action-packed week of practice, the Las Vegas Raiders will play the Los Angeles Rams today. Of course, it’s just another preseason game but there’s something to be gained from every football game. Here is what to watch for this weekend.Â
Who’s gonna play?
Per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, close to 25 players won’t even be suiting up on Saturday. This makes sense due to the intensity of the practices this week. After scrimmaging each other for two days, both teams likely believe the starters have seen enough work for the week. As such, we’ll probably see mostly backups from both teams again. For the Raiders, this likely means a heavy dose of rookies and maybe the first appearance for Marcus Mariota.
Mariota could very well be auditioning for a new team, one of the bigger names of next offseason’s quarterback market. Second-year wideouts, Bryan Edwards and Henry Ruggs III, could also make appearances but it’s doubtful.
Will Leatherwood show continued improvement?
After making his debut last weekend, Leatherwood inspired confidence from many Raiders fans. Of course, Leatherwood will likely show well in the run game again. He is a mauler and that is where he will always thrive. However, to become a quality NFL starter, he will have to keep improving his pass sets. The Raiders would be wise to give their first-round pick plenty of reps in the preseason to get him ready for the real thing in a few weeks.
Will emotions boil over again?
Fight started on special teams with Douglas and Teamer in middle it for Raiders. Many punches thrown, including by Crosby and Ngakoue. Waller emerged with a torn jersey.
Could hear faint “Raiders†chants from fans way up in the hills.— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 19, 2021
This week’s biggest news story had to do with the tensions that arose during the joint practice, along with some social media scuffles. No stranger to hard hits and scuffles himself, Jalen Ramsey was the center of attention.
This led to many a Tweet about Hunter Renfrow burning the All-Pro cornerback. Ramsey, always the trash talker, took to Twitter as well to refute these claims. All the talking came to a boiling point on Thursday when the teams broke into an all-out brawl. Of course, no one wants to see fights on the football field, especially in practice. With buttons already pushed, will the teams be able to hold back on Saturday?
*Top Photo: Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun