Raiders beat Jags in HOF Game

It’s not often that people find themselves excited for a pre-season game. Especially one that features two of some of the more under-performing teams in the last two years in the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars (I know the Raiders made the playoffs last year, then got kicked out just as quickly). 

But there’s something different about the Hall of Fame game. Maybe it’s the aura of football greatness that the image of the Pro Football Hall of Fame building exudes. Maybe it’s seeing all of this year’s Hall of Famers strutting out onto the field to kick off a weekend of love, nostalgia, and exuberance (FYI, I work in the same building as one of those Hall of Famers, so that symbolically makes me one).

Or maybe, and most likely, it’s the indication that football is back, in some capacity. From now until mid-February, there will be a football game being played at least once a week. And man, does it feel good to write that sentence, after 6 months of agonizing nothingness.

Yes, the Combine, free agency’s kickoff, the Draft, Mini-camp, OTA’s, and training camp help fill the empty gap. But there’s nothing like watching two teams putting the pads on and laying out the hits for an audience that’s been starved of it for nearly half a year.

And we got something that resembled a football game Thursday night.

Young and inexperienced

With many of the Jags’ star players out for tonight’s contest, we got a closer look at what the team’s depth situation looks like. And it was not pretty.

There were some highlights, for sure. No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker was dominated at the line of scrimmage through the 1st drive of the game, even getting on a penalty after a 31-yarder by Keelan Cole. 

But the Georgia product showed why the Jaguars took him at the top spot; notching a tackle and a sack in his next two drives. 

The sack came as Jarrett Stidham stepped up left and basically walked into Walker’s arms, as Walker shed Brandon Parker off at left tackle.

Former Raider, Arden Key, also showing some real explosiveness down the middle of the field with his new team - getting two sacks of his own against his former team. That’s it for the highlights for the Jaguars.

The offense was UGLY all night, especially in the 1st half. Jake Luton didn’t even crack 100 yards on the night, and nearly threw a pick to close out his last drive of the half.

Kyle Sloter, of USFL Fame, came in and led a nine-play, 86-yard drive that was capped off with a beautiful 5-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Cottrell, along with a successful 2-point conversion.

On special teams, Willie Johnson ran a punt back for 80 yards to the house at the end of the 3rd quarter. But it got called back by a holding penalty.

We can try to chalk this up to Pederson calling a conservative game on both sides of the ball. But if this team has any hope of improving from the 4-29 record this team has amassed in the last two years, Pederson will need to bring some of that 2017 Philadelphia Eagles magic out.

It was good, but not that good

Let me get this off my chest; Rich Bisaccia was screwed out of a head coaching job with the Raiders. He led this team through controversy upon controversy, injuries, and self-doubt – all the way to an unlikely playoff berth.

Yes, they got knocked out in the 1st round by the Bengals, but the fact they were even there is a miracle like no other. 

With that being said, Josh McDaniels looks like he might be able to lead this team to some wins.

Granted; this is the pre-season and the Jaguars had most of their starters resting on the sideline. 

And yes, Jarrett Stidham does know the system – having played in New England under McDaniels for the last 3 years. But it was still an impressive first performance, particularly from Josh Jacobs.

Jacobs knows the team didn’t pick up his 5th-year option (didn’t pick up draftmates Clelin Ferrell’s or Johnathan Abram’s options either), and he played like he wanted to make him pay for that decision. 

7 touches for 44 yards doesn’t look like much on paper, but, as the old saying goes; stats lie. Film doesn’t.

And Jacobs on film played like a walking cannon; ramming defenders down and pushing piles out of his way for positive gains. Fantasy heads should keep a close eye on him.

Conclusion

Overall, this team has the star power and depth to compete in the competitive AFC West. The question is, will it all come together in time for when these games matter?

-By: Juan Guarin-Camargo