Raiders, Seahawks Battle to 23-23 Tie in Seattle/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pete Carroll’s first preseason game as Raiders head coach ended in a 23-23 tie against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks. A blocked field goal attempt in the final seconds prevented Las Vegas from securing a win. Carroll and his new squad rallied from a slow start with a strong second-half performance.
Raiders vs Seahawks Preseason: Quick Looks
- Carroll returns to Seattle after 14 years as Seahawks head coach
- Jalan Gaines blocks Raiders’ last-second 55-yard field goal attempt
- Daniel Carlson hits three field goals, including a 56-yarder
- Geno Smith starts for Raiders, Aiden O’Connell throws one TD, two INTs
- Seattle’s Drew Lock and rookie Jalen Milroe split QB duties
- Seahawks lead 13-3 in first half before Raiders rally
- Rookie Cam Miller throws 41-yard touchdown in NFL debut
- Marshawn Lynch photographs game from the sidelines
- Seahawks’ defense grabs two interceptions in the second quarter
- Both teams finish preseason opener without a win or loss
Raiders, Seahawks Battle to 23-23 Tie in Seattle
Deep Look
SEATTLE — Pete Carroll’s much-anticipated return to Seattle ended without a winner Thursday night, as the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks fought to a 23-23 tie in their preseason opener.
The 73-year-old Carroll, who spent 14 years guiding the Seahawks and delivering the franchise’s only Super Bowl title, came within seconds of a win before Seattle’s Jalan Gaines blocked a 55-yard field goal attempt by Daniel Carlson as time expired.
“It was a marvelous second half,” Carroll said. “We started really poorly. We didn’t run the ball well, didn’t do much right, but we stayed close, and we battled back.”
Carroll’s Homecoming
Before the game, Carroll mingled warmly with former players, flashing the same high-energy style that defined his Seattle tenure. He left the Seahawks with a 137-89-1 record, including eight seasons with at least 10 wins and a 2013 championship.
The reunion came with added familiarity under center. Geno Smith, Seattle’s starting quarterback for the past three years, took the field for Las Vegas’ opening drive. Smith completed one of three passes for 15 yards before giving way to Aiden O’Connell, who played into the fourth quarter.
O’Connell finished 18-of-30 for 205 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. “We started slow, but in the second half we played inspired football,” Smith said.
Seahawks’ QB Rotation
Seattle rested most starters, including quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Kenneth Walker III, and receivers Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Drew Lock started, going 12-of-22 for 147 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Rookie Jalen Milroe, a third-round pick, took over in the second half, completing six of ten passes for 61 yards.
“It was a dream to play my first NFL game,” Milroe said. “The goal is to keep building.”
Scoring Summary
Seattle struck first late in the opening quarter when George Holani broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run. Lock extended the lead in the second quarter with a 10-yard scoring pass to Tory Horton, though the extra point was blocked, leaving the score at 13-3.
Las Vegas responded in the third quarter when O’Connell connected with Dylan Laube on a 6-yard touchdown pass.
The Seahawks regained momentum in the fourth, as undrafted rookie Jacardia Wright powered in from a yard out. But Raiders rookie quarterback Cam Miller, making his NFL debut, launched a 41-yard touchdown strike to Shedrick Jackson to tie the game. Carlson’s 51-yard field goal with just over a minute left gave Las Vegas a late lead before Myers’ 48-yarder tied it once again.
Carlson attempted a 55-yard game-winner on the final play, but Gaines’ block preserved the draw.
Defensive Highlights
Seattle’s defense intercepted O’Connell twice in the second quarter. Josh Jobe picked off an underthrown deep ball and returned it 38 yards, while Nehemiah Pritchett’s interception set up a Myers field goal.
Marshawn Lynch’s New Role
Former Seahawks and Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch made a sideline appearance in a different capacity — as a credentialed photographer. Wearing an official vest, Lynch snapped photos and even found himself in the action when Holani bumped into him after his touchdown run.
What’s Next
The Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 16, while the Seahawks welcome the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Aug. 15, as both teams continue their preseason campaigns.
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