Alright, so Kirk Cousins and the Raiders’ first-team offense pulled a fast one on Thursday night, making a surprise start in their final preseason game. You’d think with the main guy out there, they’d be putting up some serious points, right? Well, not exactly. Cousins only managed to lead them to two Matt Gay field goals, a 37-yarder and a 53-yard bomb. It wasn’t exactly the offensive explosion anyone was hoping for.
Cousins and the Offense: Field Goals, Not Fireworks
Let’s talk about those two series. Cousins was out there for just two drives against the 49ers’ backups, and while they moved the ball, they just couldn’t punch it into the end zone. The first drive covered 46 yards over 12 plays, ending in that 37-yard field goal. The second was 45 yards in 10 plays, capped off by the 53-yarder. Cousins himself finished the night 8-of-11 for a measly 51 yards. That’s a lot of plays and not a lot of pure yardage, especially against second-stringers. It leaves you wondering where the big plays were, and more importantly, where the touchdowns were supposed to come from. This is their final tune-up, you know? You want to see that offense clicking, not just settling.
Who Else Stepped Up? And Who Left Early?
Beyond Cousins, a couple of other guys got some work in. Tre Tucker snagged three passes for 25 yards. But the real story in the backfield was Mike Washington, who got the starting nod at running back because Ashton Jeanty is nursing an ankle injury. Washington took full advantage, grinding out 49 yards on eight carries. That’s a solid showing for him. What’s interesting is Cousins called it a night with 56 seconds still left in the first quarter. But get this: the *other* starters stayed on the field, playing with Fernando Mendoza at quarterback. That move alone tells you a little something about where the team might feel they are.
Heading into the regular season, these two series from Cousins and the first-team offense give us a lot to think about. Are they ready for prime time? Can they convert those drives into actual touchdowns? Raiders fans have to be looking for more when the games really count.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply