Raiders Run Defense Stumbles Badly in Preseason Opener vs. Seahawks
The Las Vegas Raiders' first showing of the 2025 preseason raised serious red flags about their run defense, despite solid performances last year.
Facing the Seattle Seahawks' backups on Thursday night, the Raiders' starting defense, which played most of the first quarter, was thoroughly dominated on the ground. In just those opening 15 minutes, Seattle rushers gashed Las Vegas for 68 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries.
The key concerns:
- Starters Struggled: The Raiders had most of their defensive starters on the field, including key players expected to anchor the run defense.
- Facing Backups: The damage wasn't done by Seattle's stars. The Seahawks held out their offensive starters, meaning the Raiders' first-string defense was pushed around by second and third-string players.
- George Holani Dominated: Seahawks running back George Holani led the charge, exploding for 61 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries in the first quarter alone. His longest run was a 24-yard burst.
- Sharp Contrast to 2024: This performance stands in stark contrast to last season, where the Raiders ranked a respectable 13th in the NFL, allowing just 116.9 rushing yards per game.
A Preseason Reality Check
While it's crucial not to overreact to preseason results – games where schemes are basic and playing time is limited – the sheer ease with which Seattle's reserve runners moved the ball against the Raiders' starting unit is undeniably alarming. Coaches expect starters to handle backups, and that simply didn't happen in this debut.
What's Next?
The Raiders have little time to fix these glaring issues before their next preseason test. They travel to face the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, August 16th. The 49ers, known for their strong rushing attack, will provide another immediate challenge. All eyes will be on the Las Vegas defensive front to see if this poor showing was a one-off wake-up call or a sign of deeper problems heading into the regular season. The pressure is on for a significant bounce-back performance.
