The Las Vegas Raiders are set to make their preseason debut this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Raider Nation is wondering what we will see from the Silver and Black in the opening contest. Here are some numbers to keep in mind as the team takes the field this weekend.
How Will The Raiders Split Rushing Attempts With Josh Jacobs Still Missing?
As long as Josh Jacobs is out, the competition for his workload is wide open. His snaps will most likely get spread out among two or three running backs. Even so, someone has to get the most, and we could get a sneak peek at who that might be on Sunday.
The main competition is between Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White. But, the newly signed Damien Williams could be in the mix. Some other names to watch are Brittain Brown and Brandon Bolden. Although none of these names carry the same weight as Jacobs, they are a respectable group on paper. Also, it should be noted that there hasn’t been much on the update front regarding Brown.
These snap counts will be very interesting to watch, especially early on in the game. The guys that see the most usage in the first half typically play larger roles in the regular season. Conversely, those getting a lot of work in the second half may be fighting for a roster spot.
Turnover Numbers Are Crucial For The Raiders In 2023
It is no secret that the Raiders have struggled to generate turnovers on defense for a while. However, they seem to be showing a lot of promise in training camp. While making big plays on the ball in practice is great, it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t translate in games. Sunday will be a good chance for the defense to give more credibility to the hype.
It would be a great sign if the Raiders could force two or more turnovers in the preseason opener. It wouldn’t guarantee that the defense is legit for regular-season purposes, but it would be a nice start. Turnovers (or lack thereof) are arguably the most crucial statistic for the Raiders to become serious contenders. The more takeaways, the easier life is on everyone.
Aidan O’Connell Completion Percentage
The Purdue rookie should see the field a ton vs. the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo is too fragile right now to risk him in the preseason. Brian Hoyer is the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart, but he is only a placeholder until Aidan O’Connell proves himself.
Also, the Raiders don’t need to play Hoyer much because they already know who he is at this point in his career. The guy that they need to figure out is O’Connell.
‘AOC4‘ has a golden opportunity this preseason. He will play a significant amount and should be able to earn the backup job if he performs well. The best way to track his performance is not passing yards or touchdowns. It is his completion percentage. If O’Connell can complete throws at a high rate and keep the offense moving, he will earn some invaluable trust from the coaching staff.
*Top Photo: Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports
