Oakland Raiders Go For First Win of the Season in Home Opener

Aug 29, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen observes pre game warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders came up just short of beating the Indianapolis Colts last week in their season opener, but they will have a chance to redeem themselves on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Terrelle Pryor will be leading his squad out onto the field for the team’s first home game of the season, and it is a game that the Raiders really need to win if they want to get back on track. After a heartbreaking Week 1 loss to the Colts, it would only make sense for the Raiders to develop a rhythm in their home opener and pick up their first win of the season.

Pryor had a magnificent game last Sunday, throwing for 217 passing yards and a touchdown while also picking up 112 rushing yards against a solid Indianapolis defense. The Raiders ran the read-option beautifully throughout the game, and it really helped the team move the chains and put them in scoring position. Pryor ran it so well that the cameraman was getting fooled throughout the game as he left everyone guessing if he actually had the ball or not.

One of the keys to the game for the Raiders will be getting star running back Darren McFadden more involved. After only rushing for 48 yards last game, Oakland could definitely use some more production from one of their top players. If Pryor hands off the ball to McFadden more when running the read-option, or if they throw in some more elaborate plays for him, then maybe fans will be able to catch at least a glimpse of the McFadden that they know and love.

Hopefully the Raiders will be able to use the home crowd’s support and energy to power them through the game, as head coach Dennis Allen is already looking forward to playing in front of the passionate Raiders fan base.

“We’re excited about opening up at home and having Raider Nation out there, and we’re excited about getting out there in front of the home crowd,” said Allen. “We’re going to need the home crowd to help us out; we’re going to need that support. We have to go out and play well, and if we play well, I feel like we’ll have the good crowd support we need.”

The game will kick off at 1:25 PT at O.co Coliseum and can be seen on CBS.