We've seen Pete Carroll's patented rah-rah resonate in past summers, as his Seahawks were often animated bunch (like their coach) in August. Now, Carroll has a homecoming of sorts back in Seattle in this opener with his new Raiders, and Vegas is likely a work in progress with new OC Chip Kelly. New QB Geno Smith, another ex-Seahawk, might not feature much if at all tonight, but we like Carroll's QB rotation that should include NDSU rookie Cam Miller, the sort of lively dual-threat to extend plays...an important preseason quality. Meanwhile, the Seahawks reportedly scale things back tonight and might give Bama rookie QB Jalen Milroe the whole game, with Sam Darnold not expected to play and backup Drew Lock a known commodity. Play Raiders

It’s a bunch of starters for the Raiders for new/old coach Pete Carroll against mostly backups for Seattle. In fact, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald vows to throw his rookie class into the fire. Carroll has placed more emphasis than many peers on winning these exhibitions, as illustrated by his 26-20 record SU and 26-19-1 ATS. Besides, you don’t think he’d like to walk out with a W against the team that nudged him out of his last coaching position? Yielding more than a field goal carries risk in August, but it’s justified here.