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Seattle Seahawks enjoy NFL game at Wembley as they ease past limp Oakland Raiders

This photographer is about to get a very good close up of David Moore, who scored a TD before crashing into the assembled snappers - Getty Images Europe
This photographer is about to get a very good close up of David Moore, who scored a TD before crashing into the assembled snappers - Getty Images Europe

The NFL returned to Wembley with the Seattle Seahawks cruising to a 27-3 victory over the struggling Oakland Raiders, on the back of three touchdown passes by quarterback Russell Wilson and Seattle’s dominant defence in front of a 84,922 crowd.

London’s 22nd NFL game was finished as a contest early in the third quarter once the Seahawks went ahead 20-0, with the fixtures to come in the next two weeks likely to be far more competitive affairs.

The Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers face each other at Wembley on Sunday 21st, followed by Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars a week after thatt.

After Wilson’s short pass to Jaron Brown capped off a 14-play touchdown drive, Seattle’s defence delivered. 

If no longer the vaunted unit of five or six years ago, there are still some significant talents on that side of the ball for Seattle including defensive end Frank Clark, who showed immediate class with two sacks on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in the space of three plays. 

Russell Wilson produced a moment of magic in the first half for a TD - Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Russell Wilson produced a moment of magic in the first half for a TD Credit: Action Images via Reuters

The latter led to a fumble which Seattle recovered to set up Wilson just outside the end zone. He duly delivered, a bomb to David Moore leading to the wide receiver taking a nasty tumble over the video board into the pack of waiting photographers, with all duly coming up unharmed and Seattle leading 14-0.

Oakland lost Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to a concussion and you had to feel for Carr. He was toughing it out with a crucial run for a first down only for his effort to be followed up with a dropped pass, a sack by Seattle and a missed field goal.

No such issues for the Seahawks, who after a field goal held a commanding 17-0 half-time lead. Sebastian Janikowski’s second field goal and a touchdown grab by Tyler Lockett finished off the rout in the second half.

8:52PM

Full time: Seattle Seahawks 27 Oakland Raiders 3

Seattle run it down. It's going to end 27-3 and Seattle have been more than enough for a deeply troubled Oakland Raiders side. We will have a match report from Ben Coles up very shortly. Thank you for you company, I hope you have enjoyed this blog, a fairly unusual departure for us here at Telegraph Sport. See you soon.

8:49PM

But Seattle are in no mood 

to make this anything other than a resounding victory. They put together another impressive drive and, as the two minute warning sounds, they have moved the ball from their own well up past halfway and are in total control. Second and 7 on the Oakland 40 as that two-minute warning sounds.

8:40PM

Field Goal! Oakland are on the board! 

Finally, they have some points. 12 yards, 51 yards, a field goal. Yay. I guess.

But that's where the good news ends. The reason they are shooting for a field goal is because they could only get as far the 22 yard line, before two sacks on Carr. The second one seems to have done him a mischief: he's hurt his arm in the collision with Reed. Dear me, this really is a night to forget for Oakland.

Seattle Seahawks 27 Oakland Raiders 3

Here is Ben Coles: "Raiders knock over a field goal to avoid a shutout and then shortly after that, the 'Raiderette' cheerleader, named Julie London (of course), is named the 'Raiderette of the Game'. No idea what she wins. But what a minute all round for Oakland."

Coach now has to decide if he puts his quarterback in there or gives this game up as a bad job rather than risking his MVP doing further damage.

8:33PM

Delay to the game

Roberts is hurt. Looks to my inexpert eye that he got him around the neck. I think  Coleman was the tackler.

tackled - Credit: Sky
Review Credit: Sky

He is ruled out of the rest of the game. 

That's another injured played for the Oakland Raiders. 

8:29PM

We had two shutouts in London games

last year. Looks likely that we might get a third...

What can Oakland do to prevent that?

Here they are with the ball on their own 25 yard line.

8:23PM

TOUCHDOWN! Seattle!

Another lovely bit of play from Wilson, he's got the Oakland defense rushing at him but he does not panic, he looks up, he pops it down the middle and Lockett gathers a simple 10-yard pass for a TD. Extra point is good. Seattle 27 Oakland 0

That scoring drive took eight plays for 49 yards, three minutes 36.

8:20PM

End of third quarter: Seattle 20 Oakland 0

Not exactly a classic, that quarter. Seattle added a FG.  They are in the process of an impressive drive.

8:18PM

Not his day

He kind of went for a soccer-style two-footed lunge on Russell Wilson, did a somersault and ended up roly-polying on top of the QB. You don't see that every day. Officials were not taken with it, and he gets called for a personal foul. 

8:13PM

But alas, nothing much comes of it

Five plays for 18 yards. Oakland have to punt it away, it's still Seattle 20 Oakland 0 and there's every chance of the Seahawks shutting these out I would say.

8:06PM

Interception!

Well, Wilson was in command but he's thrown an interception here. He was looking for Baldwin, but he's thrown into too much traffic, and it is picked off by Worley.

Wilson throws here into too much coverage and is picked off - Credit: Sky
Wilson throws here into too much coverage and is picked off Credit: Sky

It was real eye of the needle stuff. Baldwin is outnumbered 5-1 and they are all converging on him. A low percentage option given that it was first down. 

Baldwin now on the sidelines getting his arm looked at. I guess he got a bang in that play?

8:05PM

Magnificent! 

That is surely the play of the day. Wilson looks up and LAUNCHES the ball downfield to Baldwin, who races clear of the coverage and leaps to produce a sensational catch. 42 yards the gain and it sets the Seahwaks up nicely at 20-0 ahead, excellent field position and all the time in the world to nail the coffin lid shut. First down and 11 and Oakland need something immediately. 

7:55PM

Big moment in the game

Oakland on their own 48, it is third and six.

Carr goes for the long, straight pass down the middle, Nelson runs the in route from the left... but cannot get there. The pass was not quite perfect: on his back shoulder, giving him no chance against this effective Seahawks secondary.

That's the lot for the Oakland offense for the time being.

Ben Coles writes: "Wembley is sneaky cold this evening but the turnout really is remarkable, you can barely spot an empty seat. A fine array of jerseys on show as well, with a personal favourite being a 49ers Joe Montana number. Shame that we are on course for another blowout with the 'Hawks cruising."

7:51PM

Field goal! Seattle 20 Oakland 0

No muss no fuss from 26 yards.

7:48PM

Seattle have the ball in excellent position

However, something for Oakland to cheer about when Key sacks Wilson for an eight yard loss.

Here we are though, third and 7 on the Oakland 8... Wilson gathers the ball, he looks up, there's nobody on, and worse than that, his new friend Key is baring down on him.. Wilson has to bung it away and the Seahawks will have to settle for an easy field goal.

7:47PM

Oh it's a terrible start to the half for Oakland

Their coach will have been hoping to somehow get into the game with some solid plays, get a toehold, etc etc. But Carr has been sacked on second down by a tag of sack split by Q Jefferson and F Clark. He went for some play action but these Seattle guys were all over him in a flash.

And then it gets even worse for Oakland: Carr sacked again, Clark has him once again, and this time there is  fumble. Seattle gather it, and Oakland's hopes are dashed once again. 

7:44PM

Second half gets underway

Seattle kick, it's a touchback.

7:31PM

HT: Seattle 17 Oakland 0

Grim trip so far for Oakland. Their QB Carr hasn't done too badly but he's had little support from the offensive line and Seattle have been able to get at him repeatedly.

The Seahawks offense was impressive enough, especially on the opening rive. Wilson produced a moment of genius to recover from a dodgy snap and pick out the runner. Seahawks have given away too many penalties but it hasn't really hurt them. The catching of David Moore, and the relationship he seems to be forming with Wilson has caught the eye.

One controversial incident when Bradley McDougald, the Seahawks safety, appeared to lead with his helmet into that of Amari Cooper, who went off.

HT Stats Seattle 17 Oakland 0 - Credit: Sky Sports Main Event
HT Stats Seattle 17 Oakland 0 Credit: Sky Sports Main Event

7:28PM

Field goal Seattle, who now lead 17-0

Nice effort from 44 yards and that will do it for the first half.

7:27PM

Seattle have about a minute

To see if they can inflict further psychological pain. Wilson launches downfield and Moore makes a superb catch, he and Wilson really seem to be enjoying each other's company. Superb stuff, 28 yards picked up.They manage a couple more gains on the next two downs, although there's another penalty in there as well, and with the ball on the Oakland 26 at fourth and five, it's time to summon the field goal kicker Janikowski.

7:19PM

Oakland putting a drive together here

Six plays for 33 yards.

Carr, not sure that we could ask too much more of him: he's made nine of his last ten passes and the one he didn't was only because Lynch dropped a doosy.

The Oakland Raiders have it more or less on the half way line, and it's first and ten.

He tries to find Richard but that is incomplete. Now does find Richard but there is no gain. Third and ten on the 50. now he DOES find Richard, who makes 9... ah, how they needed the other one. Oakland are going to go for it on fourth down... but they don't get it. Reviewed and everything but no dice.

Oakland had 11 plays then for 49 yards, but nothing to show for it. Choker.

7:12PM

But they get pinged for a delay of game penalty

Oh dear.  Doug Baldwin the guilty party.

or looked at another way.

That will put an end to the Seahawks' ambitions in this drive.

On comes their punter, Michael Dickson - he's an Aussie who has played in the AFL! 22-year-old from NEw South Wales who played his College football at University of Texas at Austin.

7:09PM

Third and four for Seattle

They're looking in command in this game, and with the ball on their own 38 and about four minutes left on the clock, they call a time out with a view to the third score that you fancy would put this game out of sight.

7:03PM

McCrane has missed the 48 yard field goal

Oh no! It drifts wide, what a shame for Oakland.

Ben Coles says: "Not sure Derek Carr will be heading back to London for a vacation. Still toughing it out with a nice run for a first down, pumping his first in the direction of the Seahawks' defence. Then Marshawn Lynch drops a simple pass, followed up by Carr being sacked into the dirt and the Raiders missing a field goal. Grim."

7:03PM

But they cannot make any further progress

And have to settle for a field goal attempt. The offensive line is not getting it done for Carr, he is sacked at the Seattle 30-yard line for a loss of seven on third down.

6:55PM

Oakland continue their progress

Carr passes short middle to Richard, and they pick up 21.

Seattle doing everything to give a pretty shonky Oakland side a leg up: it's another penalty, this time for face mask.

Big moment in the game here now, it is third and eight for Oakland on the Seattle 32... Carr steps back... he reads the coverage and he scampers forward and slides safely for a first down!

6:51PM

BIG HIT!

Helmet to helmet there, surely? It's McDougal of Seattle slamming in to his opponent Amari Cooper.

hit - Credit: BBC
Bang Credit: BBC

No flag! 

6:45PM

TOUCHDOWN! Seahawks 14 Raiders 0

Superb from Wilson! He cannot collect the snap cleanly but he gathers it and has the composure to pick it up, get his head up, and look up and spot a runner. What an athlete. What a thoughtful, intelligent player. A lot of QBs would have just dropped on the ball and limited the damage but he has created a touchdown through his vision and cool thinking. Moore with a good leap to snatch the ball.

Wilson drops but gathers it - Credit: BBC
Wilson drops but gathers it Credit: BBC
Wilson throws - Credit: BBC
Wilson looks up, sees that some space has opened up, and lets rip Credit: BBC

Extra point is good. 

6:43PM

Back to the game

And back to Ben Coles: "Derek Carr getting no help from his offensive line. Frank Clark all over him for two sacks, the second leading to a fumble. Poor lad. Seahawks should go up 14-0 starting on the Raiders' 24."

6:42PM

End of Q1: Seahawks 7 Raiders 0

An error-strewn opening. Seattle with a commanding drive down the field to go 7-0 ahead. Oakland look overpowered in defense and nervy in attack. Only some needless penalties from the Seattle offense keeping this quarter respectable.

6:39PM

Carr sacked again! Turnover!

Carr sacked - Credit: BBC
Carr sacked Credit: BBC

 Sack and a fumble. Seattle have got the ball! Clark the man who nails him, Reed the man who pounces on the ball.

6:33PM

Can Oakland get something going?

They start on their own 12, QB comes back and finds Lynch with the ball for a 13 yard reception.

Now Carr with a sweet pass down the field, 28 yards, but there's a flag for holding on offense and that is immediately wiped out.

Sack! Carr is down but there is  a flag on the play... Seahawks again a bit sloppy there, no real need for that.

6:31PM

Seahawks 7 Raiders 0

Seattle begin their next set of downs with two penalties in a row: Illegal Block Above the Waist, offensive holding. It's third and 18 and they have it all to do. Wilson nearly throws a pick when an Oakland lineman sticks up a big paw, but it hits the ground.  Punt is nothing to write home about: he's punted it out of bounds.

Admittedly with a bit of help from the Seahawks offence and some sloppy penalties, but that's something for the Oakland D to feel better about. They've got the ball back.

6:27PM

Raiders couldn't get anything done

Lynch with a couple of two yard runs, then a small loss, and they had to kick it away. Three and out.

Ball is back with Seattle.

A Seahawk - Credit: Action Images via Reuters 
A Seahawk Credit: Action Images via Reuters

6:26PM

Michael Vaughan is in

Michael Vaughan is in - Credit: BBC
Michael Vaughan is in Credit: BBC

"I am a Raider. I like the underdog, I felt sorry for them when they ran out for their own home game and they were booed by 80%  of the fans."

6:18PM

TOUCHDOWN! Seahawks 7 Raiders 0

Russell Wilson steps back, fires it down the middle, and the Seahawks are on the board. Easy as pie for Wilson to pop that over for Brown, who breaks to the right, and we have our first score of the evening.

td seahawks - Credit: BBC
Those two Seahawks runners hit the end zone: one goes left, the other (Brown) goes right Credit: BBC

82 yards, seven minutes, 13 plays, and the Oakland defense never looked like they were even close to causing any problems. The Seattle run game seems in good order and it could be a long evening for Oakland on this evidence...

6:13PM

After seven or eight runs, Seahawks go for a pass

Throws to the screen on the backside, a handy block comes in and Penny has charged through for 29 yards.

Now a longer pass. Morley, a big powerful receiver, nearly grabs that on the goal-line. Decent work from Worley, who does just enough to prevent the catch.

Wilson passes short up the middle to Swoopes for 23 yards, up to about the two.

It's first and goal for the Seahawks...

Carson gets a yard, now Wilson flips it up but there is holding. First and goal again. Seahawks now penalised for a false start... but they are still very much camped in the Raiders territory.

6:09PM

Seahawks first offensive series

Raiders defense, ranked 30th overall. cannot prevent Carson from wriggling through on the hand-off to pick up a first down. A similar play immediately after that, and Chris Carson has punched through for another eight yards. Run, and run again is the policy so far.

6:06PM

Raiders kick us off

Not much of a return, and Russell Wilson will have it on his own 18 yard line.

6:04PM

British one!

Camilla Kerslake - Credit: BBC
Camilla Kerslake Credit: BBC

Funnily enough, Camilla is married to England rugby ledge Chris Robshaw. 

Ben Coles reports: "#kneelwatch report: no one kneeled. Raiders QB Derek Carr stood with his hands behind his back holding his helmet. Camilla Kerslake, wife of England flanker Chris Robshaw, has just sung 'God Save The Queen'."

6:02PM

Anthem time

US one first.

US national anthem - Credit: BBC
US national anthem Credit: BBC

6:01PM

Raid

Oakland Raiders fans - Credit: Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Exceptional work here Credit: Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

5:54PM

Just a few minutes until kickoff

Who do you fancy? Players are out on the field.

5:48PM

Here's the pre-match entertainment

It's Jess Glynne, not a figure with whom I am familiar myself but I believe a popular recording artist. It's not Beyonce, is all I will say.

Glynne - Credit: BBC
Glynne Credit: BBC

Jess Glynne then. Blimey, it sez ere that she's had seven UK number ones. I feel old and ignorant.

Glynne - Credit: BBC
Glynne again Credit: BBC

5:41PM

Marshawn Lynch

Looking forward to see him. Osi Umenyiora says: "Beast mode is a good name for him, he doesn't try to avoid tackles he invites tackles because he wants to hurt and punish the tackler!"

5:37PM

Ben Coles is at Wembley for us

Wembley was a grey, drizzly mess about an hour ago but that was now thankfully abated, with no rain in sight as the teams warm up to the sound of trap music's finest (led by Migos).

Pete Carroll might be 67 but the Seahawks coach is constantly animated and easy to spot bouncing around out on the field. In terms of jerseys, I'd guess the Seahawks outnumber the Raiders supporters here by two to one.

Wembley ready to rock - Credit: Ben Coles
Wembley ready to rock Credit: Ben Coles

5:36PM

Shocking statement from Raiders  QB

"We need to score points and win the game."

Carr's explosive claim
Carr makes his explosive claim

Ah, sports guys: the same in any language.

5:31PM

Right!

Let's get to it. Half an hour until the start. Two teams with plenty fans braving the wet and rainy Wembley.

BBC pundits
BBC pundits

Mark Champman's NFL pals are giving him aggro for making them do this pitchside rather than the studio!

Jason Bell: "It's gonna be a slugfest today."

A lot of Seahawks in, I understand: bit more of a partisan crowd than some previous editions at Wembley which have been kind of a gathering of the tribes vibe.

5:12PM

Coach and coach

Two people who also find lots of folk having an opinion about their performance at work, albeit for perhaps different reasons, are the head coaches of these two outfits.

Sunday’s first of three NFL matches to be played at Wembley this month pits together two of the sport’s veteran head coaches with a combined age of 122 - Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks and Jon Gruden, at the start of his second stint with the Oakland Raiders.

Here's Ben Coles with the lowdown on the two clipboard-meisters

London NFL fans are converging on Wembley eager to see the Oakland Raiders vs Seattle Seahawks - Credit: AP Photo/Tim Ireland
Over here: London NFL fans are converging on Wembley eager to see the Oakland Raiders vs Seattle Seahawks Credit: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

5:04PM

Cheerleader article

This is a great piece from Pippa Field about the Oakland Raiders cheerleaders squad, some of whom say that they battle a lot of preconceptions in their work.

4:33PM

Seahawks and Raiders in the house

Good afternoon! Tyers here, NFL coming up live from Wembley, and excitement is building. The game kicks off at 6pm UK time and NFL fans from across Britain and Europe are getting ready for a celebration of their sport and a chance to see some real live action from two teams who have got plenty of Airmiles to show from this trip already.

The Seahawks are improving after a turbulent start to the season, and it seems fair to say that they are the more settled camp prior to kick off. The Raiders have reappointed Jon Gruden as head coach. he was previously the top man there in 1998-2003 and, well, you know what they say about never going back. Much like round-ball counterpart Gary Neville, Gruden has found that actually running a team is quite a bit harder than being to talk about it as a pundit. Gruden's team have lost four of their first five games and only the Falcons have given up more points this season than Oakland's 149 ( I am excluding the also terrible Giants, because they have at least played a game more). "I think we have a ways to go," the coach said this week, showing a grasp of understatement for which he has not always been noted.

Oakland Raiders v Seattle Seahawks - NFL International Series - Wembley Stadium  - Credit: PA
Oakland Raiders v Seattle Seahawks - NFL International Series - Wembley Stadium Credit: PA

His opposite number Pete Carroll, at 67, has seen it all, and it will be most interesting to see how he deals with Super Bowl-winning running back Marshawn Lynch, who was of course a Seahawk in a previous incarnation. All of us will be keeping a close eye on that tactical battle, not least the THREE HUNDRED German Seahawks fans who have apparently made the journey over! Should be a cracking evening, although I have to say that the weather here in London is doing its best to rain on our parade.