NFL Preseason Week 2 Game Recap: Las Vegas Raiders 17, Los Angeles Rams 16

The real Las Vegas Raiders–Los Angeles Rams preseason game was played a little before their actual Saturday night clash in SoFi Stadium, as the teams spent a couple of heated joint practices together leading up to the game.

On Saturday night, neither team played many of its starters. The Raiders won a surprisingly exciting 17-16 game that became a last-second nail-biter. Nathan Peterman took all the quarterback snaps for the Raiders while Bryce Perkins did the same for the Rams. 

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Las Vegas Raiders

Quarterback

Peterman threw a late touchdown on a slick double move to Marcell Ateman but up to that point, he didn't put together a complete outing. He was 16 of 24 for 172 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Nothing about this game should tell you he has a chance to pass Marcus Mariota as Las Vegas' primary backup quarterback.

Running Back

Rookie Trey Ragas was given no room behind any of the offensive line combinations the Raiders trotted out, as he finished with four yards on seven carries. He did have a nice 11-yard reception to start the game. B.J. Emmons was the Raiders leading rusher, carrying the rock eight times for 34 yards.

Receivers/Tight Ends

Ateman caught two balls, including a double move — a slant n’ go — that resulted in the winning touchdown. The only other Raider receiver with multiple catches was D.J. Turner, who had two for 19 yards.

Peterman to Ateman ????@Raiders take the lead! pic.twitter.com/QCS5dFn6OT

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 22, 2021

Offensive Line

Rookie Alex Leatherwood started the game and played 16 snaps before giving way to Jared Jones-Smith after the first quarter.

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Defensive Line

New addition Solomon Thomas played in the second quarter, netting a tackle while the much-maligned Clelin Ferrell started the game — meaning he’s on the second team since the starters sat — and played 12 snaps while notching one pressure.

Linebackers

Asmar Bilal and Javin White played most of the snaps for the Raiders with new linebacker Tanner Muse spelling them as the game wore on. Muse had a sack while White had two pass breakups.

Secondary

The secondary had a good game in coverage against Perkins, as Nate Hobbs nabbed a second-half interception. Rookie safety Trevon Moehrig played 19 snaps in a starting role. He wasn’t targeted in coverage nor did he record a tackle. Roderic Teamer led the group with seven tackles.

Los Angeles Rams

Quarterback

Perkins made some plays with his legs, including a fourth-down scramble to keep the game alive late — he had nine total totes for 41 yards, five of which came on scrambles — and then a touchdown throw to pull the game within one with 15 seconds left. However, the overall passing attack was inconsistent, as the offense could not find any plays down the field.

Bryce Perkins: Passing by depth

Running Backs

Jake Funk started the game and ran well, finishing with eight yards per carry on seven rushes — 33 of which came after contact. Meanwhile, Xavier Jones also had seven rushes but accumulated only 29 yards. Jones did catch a nice sideline flair route for 10 yards, where he tip-toed down the sideline for a first down.

Receivers/Tight Ends

The Rams played basically one group of receivers the whole game, as J.J. Koski, Landen Akers and Tutu Atwell played almost all of the snaps. The goal seemed to be to get the ball in Atwell’s hands as often as possible, as he was targeted nine times, resulting in seven catches for 42 yards, but the team couldn’t isolate him down the field.

Tutu Atwell: Snaps by position

Offensive Line

The Rams had three players play the entire game, a rarity in the preseason. Alaric Jackson (tackle), Bobby Evans (guard) and Chandler Brewer (guard) played all 61 snaps for the offense and did well.

Defensive Line

Chris Garrett was a man possessed with three pressures off the edge and a couple of sacks. Eric Banks also secured a sack while Jonah Williams shared one of Garrett’s sacks.

Linebackers

Micah Kiser was one of the few potential starters who did play in this game. He played 17 snaps without recording a stat in coverage or against the run.

Secondary

Juju Hughes and J.R. Reed, who played the most snaps for the Rams at the safety position, played lights out. Hughes was targeted twice and didn’t allow a reception while Reed was targeted once, allowing a catch for three yards.