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Silver & Black Sneak Peek: Raiders Dazzle Fans, Flash Potential in $5 Mock Game Showcase

Originally posted on The Raider Ramble
By Ramble News Desk | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 4:22 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders put on a show for Raider Nation this past weekend ahead of preseason—here are some key takeaways.

On Saturday, the Raiders hosted a mock game at Allegiant Stadium for $5, but don’t let the affordable admission deceive you—Sin City witnessed a performance with significant 2025 potential. Ticket proceeds flowed to the Raiders Foundation, but the roaring crowd made it feel like a regular-season Sunday. “To have them so enthusiastic, they were a part of this day,” head coach Pete Carroll beamed afterward. “When this place is crazy filled up, I can’t even imagine.”

Raiders DE Maxx Crosby is in midseason form already…

The excitement began on the defensive side of the ball, where Maxx Crosby once again demonstrated why he is the heartbeat of this team. One year after snatching a diving pick-six at open practice, Mad Maxx dialed up a strip-six for the play of the day—a jaw-dropping display of hustle, instincts, and sheer havoc-creation off the edge. Crosby’s energy clearly influences the locker room and sets the standard for Carroll’s defensive expectations.

Regrettably, the situation was not entirely favorable. Lonnie Johnson Jr., a veteran safety, shattered his fibula during Saturday’s game. More tests are needed to see if there is more damage. It’s a tough blow for a man who was trying to get a key rotating spot in the secondary. Vegas’ defense will have to deal with his absence sooner than they thought.

#Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered a broken fibula at practice Saturday, per source. The six-year vet is getting an MRI to determine if additional damage. Johnson was in the mix for a rotational role in Vegas.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 3, 2025

Chip Kelly’s offense is humming…

On offense, Geno Smith was surgical in carving up the practice-squad defense. The veteran QB piloted four drives—and each one ended in the end zone. He punctuated his day with a 50-yard rainbow to Phillip Dorsett, then flexed his legs on a read-option two-point conversion. If there was any doubt about Smith’s aggressiveness in Carroll’s system, Saturday’s fireworks provided a clear answer.

Geno Smith caps off a tremendous day with a 50-yard touchdown throw to Phillip Dorsett, then runs it in on an RPO 2-point conversion. Each of Smith’s 4 drives during the @Raiders mock game resulted in touchdowns

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 2, 2025

Tight end Michael Mayer continues to develop into the chain-moving force that Vegas needs. Carroll has praised the second-year pass-catcher’s progress during the offseason, and Mayer demonstrated that growth with a couple of impressive catches early in the scrimmage, providing an exciting glimpse of the red-zone threat he has the potential to become.

All told, Saturday wasn’t just a tune-up—it was a statement of swagger, camaraderie, and expectations. From $5 tickets to strip-sacks and 50-yard bombs, Raider Nation walked out buzzing. On a summer afternoon meant for “just a mock game,” Vegas offered up a sneak peek of something very real.

This article first appeared on The Raider Ramble and was syndicated with permission.

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