Pete Carroll’s Reunion for Preseason Week 1 Ends in a Tie
Hyped preseason games rarely get better than this. Thursday night at Lumen Field wasn’t just a game; it was a homecoming, a team trial, and a litmus test for both squads. Pete Carroll’s Raiders coming back to Seattle? Is Geno Smith ready to show out? Fans were buzzing, and the stakes, for preseason, anyway, felt monumental.
The game ended fittingly with a 23-23 tie after the Seahawks blocked a potential game-winning Raiders field goal as time expired, but the night blessed us with plenty to analyze.
The Seahawks’ Run Game is Coming for Everyone
George Holani was running like his job depended on it, which, to be fair, it does. Seven carries, 61 yards, and a 24-yard touchdown that screamed Marshawn Lynch throwback vibes. There were big moves and even better blocking, with rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts delivering a clinic-level block to set up Holani’s highlight-reel score.
Here’s the kicker (not literally): Seattle’s starters weren’t even on the field. No Kenneth Walker III, no Zach Charbonnet. That makes the team’s 5.3 yards per carry even more impressive. Jalen Milroe threw in a 27-yard scamper for good measure, and Jacardia Wright punched in a score as well.
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks’ head coach, called it out postgame, praising the scrimmage’s physicality and clean execution up front. When you’re dominating the line of scrimmage without your big guns? That’s a statement.
The Raiders Dug Deep for That Comeback
Sure, the Raiders didn’t do themselves any favors early. By halftime? Down 16-3 and gasping for life, as rookie first-rounder Ashton Jeanty had no room to run, and was very underwhelming in his preseason debut. Aidan O’Connell may as well have been auditioning for the wrong role with two brutal interceptions.
But, oh, what a difference halftime adjustments make. O’Connell found his groove in the third quarter, going 5-for-5, capping off a touchdown drive with a pass to Dylan Laube. Add in another Carson field goal and a fourth-quarter gem from rookie QB Cam Miller to Shedrick Jackson for 41 yards?
Suddenly, the Raiders were breathing life into this matchup. The defense fed off that energy, forcing a critical fourth-down stop late to keep momentum alive. Ultimately, a blocked field goal ended the comeback attempt.
Still, from a coaching perspective, Pete Carroll must’ve been grinning to see his team keep swinging. His postgame nod to legendary coach Bud Grant summed it up, saying, “We just put ourselves in position to fight to the very last play, and the rest usually works out.”
Pete Carroll’s Homecoming Hits Different
Forget the Xs and Os for a moment. Pete Carroll strolling into Lumen Field as the Raiders’ head coach brought out emotions even preseason games rarely muster. From warm greetings with former players (and fans’ ovations) to his heartwarming interview postgame, you could tell the legendary coach felt the love.
“It’s honestly surreal,” Carroll admitted. “Coming back here, seeing the fans and feeling this energy again, it reminds me why this place is so special.”
Geno Smith, too, seemed to revel in it, spending postgame signing autographs and connecting with kids from Seattle Children’s Hospital. Call it preseason or not, these aren’t just games; they’re shared moments between fans and the team they’ve grown up supporting.
What’s Next?
The Seahawks and Raiders both showed flashes of brilliance, but their paths took divergent turns from Thursday night. While Seattle puts greater emphasis on finalizing units for Week 1, the Raiders gear up for joint practices ahead of their next preseason matchup.
One thing is certain for both sides, though: there’s magic in football when emotion and execution intertwine. Get ready because this season already feels electric.
