O'Connell Managed the Game Properly in Raiders' Win
It had long been suspected that rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell could eventually become a starter for the Las Vegas Raiders.
O'Connell had a successful career at Purdue and possesses the tools needed to be a quarterback in the National Football League.
In his first career start, O'Connell passed for 238 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Although he showed promise, he turned the ball over three times, twice on fumbles.
On Sunday against the New York Giants, O'Connell did a much better job of protecting the football. The rookie quarterback looked much more prepared and comfortable than in his first start earlier in the season.
"Took care of the ball, No. 1, we did a really good job of being poised and handling the tempo that we had early on," Interim Antonio Pierce said. "We got some alerts and checks, did a good job with that."
"He looked totally different than the guy who had that first start. And just like any rookie, more opportunities, the more reps, the better you get, and more importantly, the guys around him really did a good job of protecting him and encouraging him to keep his chin up."
The Las Vegas Raiders started rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell on Sunday.
© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
O'Connell's ability to manage the game at a high level is exactly what the Raiders were missing from the quarterback position. He might technically be a rookie, but he didn't look like it on Sunday.
"He's just poised," running back Josh Jacobs said. "He's very poised. He came in and you could tell the moment wasn't too big for him. He's not out there struggling to make mic points or anything like that. He just goes out there and he does what he needs to do. A shout out to him and the way he prepared."
O'Connell doesn't have to lighten up the scoreboard; he has to make the plays and not turn the ball over. If he can continue to play like he did on Sunday, the Raiders will only get better.
The Silver and Black will remain at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT.
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