Raiders vs Seahawks preseason week 4 recap, final score: Roster hopefuls can’t get Raiders a win in long final audition

Without a single first team Raiders player taking the field on either side of the ball, and even some reserves, the Raiders decided their final preseason was going to be entirely about the fringe players.

From the first snap, the bulk of those players on the field were those need of making a good impression in the hopes of making the roster.

Things got off to a rocky start. Right away on the opening kickoff, George Atkinson III muffed the kick, bobbled it trying to pick it up and was stopped at the 11-yard line. Then on the second play from scrimmage, John Crockett fumbled the ball away. The Seahawks would get a field goal out of it to take an early 3-0 lead.

EJ Manuel and Connor Cook were trading off series throughout the game. Each would get two series and then switch out. First two were Manuel, who failed to pick up a first down.

Cook came in and didn’t look any better. He was able to pick of the Raiders first first down of the game, but could do no more.

Midway through the first quarter, the Seahawks finally mounted a drive, going 76 yards on five plays, culminating in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Trevone Boykin to Robert Smith. Dexter McDonald was covering but fell down on the deep ball and Smith was wide open for an easy score and a 10-0 Seahawks lead.

The first big play of the game for the Raiders came late in the first quarter. Boykin threw deep over the middle and Raiders 7th round rookie safety Shalom Luani picked it off to give the Raiders the ball back at their own 30-yard line.

EJ Manuel returned to the game on the ensuing drive, and once again went no where.

To begin the second quarter, the Seahawks drove to the Raiders’ 21-yard-line and once again, a Raiders offseason standout made a play. This time it was undrafted rookie Breon Borders who picked off the ball.

Starting at their own 6-yard-line, EJ Manuel would lead the Raiders on a 14-play, 94-yard drive culminating in a perfect back shoulder pass to up the seam to Keon Hatcher for the touchdown from 18 yards out.

The Seahawks would have 2:00 minutes to try and answer, but their drive was stopped at the Oakland 36 with Boykin rolling out left looking for an open receiver and Xavier Woodson-Luster chasing him down for the sack.

A Seahawks drive to begin the third quarter yielded no points as Blair Walsh’s 49-yard attempt fell short. A couple Seahawks roughing penalties would gift wrap a long drive for the Raiders who added a a 34-yard field goal by Giorgio Tavecchio to tie the game at 10-10.

The next Raiders drive, they got back in field goal range, this time mostly on their own. A nice looking back shoulder 17-yard pass and catch from Cook to KJ Brent on the right sideline got it started. George Atkinson picked up 24 yards on a catch and run into Seahawks territory. Tavecchio’s 35-yard attempt was was wide left to keep it tied up.

Early in the third quarter, the Seahawks drive was stopped near midfield with LaTroy Lewis picking up his third sack of the preseason. After a fumble recovery returned 65 yards for a touchdown last week in Dallas, Lewis has made quite an impression this preseason.

EJ Manuel returned and the Raiders were marching again. Again it was a big play by a running back, this time John Crockett picking up 24 yards. It led to a 28-yard field goal from Tavecchio and a 13-10 Raiders lead with 3:46 remaining.

Seahawks drove down the field and with the help of a phantom pass interference penalty on Chris Humes, were set up in first down at the 16. They scored the touchdown on a 16-yard pass over the middle from Austin Davis to Kenny Lawler.

That would be the game winner as the Raiders couldn’t mount a comeback drive with 1:06 remaining. The game ended when the Seahawks intercepted the ball off a deflection with :04 seconds remaining.

The Raiders finished this preseason 0-4.

EJ Manuel had the better day over Connor Cook. Manuel went 9 of 14 for 85 yards and a touchdown. LaTroy Lewis tied for the team lead with 7 tackles (4 solo) and a sack.