For a closing act to the preseason, this one was ugly.
The Oakland Raiders traveled to Seattle and lost 21-3 to the Seahawks Thursday nigt to finish the exhibition season 1-3, scoring only with 1:55 remaining on an Eddy Carmona field goal.
Recently acquired receiver/punt returner Roscoe Parrish fumbled twice, backup quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor and Matt Leinart completed just 9-of-20 passes, the offense could muster just five first downs and 101 total yards, running back Mike Goodson was tackled in his own end zone for a safety, the offensive line allowed three quarterback sacks and Shane Lechler was forced to punt eight times.
Fortunately, there were no major injuries heaped on a team that has been struggling with them.
Starting quarterback Carson Palmer played just six snaps, and star running back Darren McFadden stayed on the sidelines. Neither the passing or running game looked good for Oakland, which now has until Sept. 10 – a Monday night game against the Chargers -- to get some key players healthy (such as receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore) and be ready to start a new era under head coach Dennis Allen and GM Reggie McKenzie.
Parrish, signed this week after he was released by the Chargers, was supposed to provide insurance in the return game and as a backup receiver until Ford and Moore can return. But he fumbled twice, lost one and gained just 5 yards on two returns. If he survives the roster trimming to 53 Friday, he’ll have some time to settle in before the opener against the Chargers.
The Seahawks took control early, behind newly anointed rookie starting QB Russell Wilson, then kept moving the chains behind No. 2 QB Matt Flynn, the free agent signed from Green Bay. Flynn looked sharp, hitting 11 of 13 passes for 102 yards and a TD.
Raiders
After taking a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Seattle led 13-0 at the half and tacked on a touchdown and the safety for a 21-0 lead before Carmona’s field goal.
