Week 2 of the preseason will be pivotal for the Las Vegas Raiders, especially with regard to the quarterback position battle. So, with that being said, we should add that all starters are expected to suit up—that means you too, Davante!—so it’s time to load up those bold predictions.
Cowboys vs. Raiders: Bold Predictions
No. 1: AOC plants his flag as starting quarterback
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has made it known that Saturday’s matchup will be a key factor in deciding the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Week 1 saw a fairly even battle between the incumbent Aidan O’Connell and veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew.
The latter had more opportunities during his quarter of action than O’Connell. Even so, don’t expect that to be the case this time around. Despite only leading one drive last week, O’Connell was decisive and accurate. With more field time, the second-year man should thrive against the Cowboys. More importantly, it should show why he’s the answer for when the “bullets are live.”
No. 2: Raiders GM Tom Telesco signs a veteran corner by halftime
Offensively, the Raiders have a ton of weapons, but defense will be the calling card to any success they have in 2024. That being said, the cornerback room gives me the creeps. Jakorian Bennett appears to have secured an out spot across from Jack Jones, and Nate Hobbs is in a more than adequate slot.
But that’s when things get a little… Shaky.
During a Week 1 offensive explosion in the second half for the Minnesota Vikings, the Las Vegas cornerbacks closer resembled the contents of a Subway oven than competent NFL talent. No one expects rookies like MJ Devonshire and Decamerion Richardson to become stars overnight. Still, do we expect Brandon Facyson and Sam Webb to fend any better in the regular season?
Tom Telesco must realize this unit is one injury away from becoming a top liability on the roster and make a move.
No. 3: Dylan Laube goes “Stone Cold” in Dallas
Despite a load of training camp hype, Dylan Laube had a rather pedestrian preseason debut. It could be argued he wasn’t really placed in the positions he needed to succeed. That should not be the case this weekend. No, Laube is not expected to dominate between the tackles at this point, but he could pose a threat as a third-down weapon.
The New Hampshire product needs to establish some distance from veteran Ameer Abdullah. This is especially crucial for securing the coveted roster spot behind Zamir White and Alexander Mattison.
*Top Photo: The Raider Ramble
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