San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Raiders ready for Vegas opening act
The Death Star comes alive for the first time Monday night in a primetime debut that just a few years ago would have been unimaginable.
The NFL in Sin City. Even the bookies in this gambling city would never have bet on this happening.
It took a seismic shift in philosophy from a league that once feared sports betting more than anything. It also took a leap of faith by the Raiders — along with $750 million in taxpayer money — to embrace a city that seems to fit perfectly with the culture of the Silver and Black fan base.
The gamble pays off Monday night when the Raiders meet the New Orleans Saints in the opening game of the glittering $2 billion stadium that Raiders owner Mark Davis dubbed the Death Star. They’ll do it in a spectacular new home that looms over the Las Vegas Strip, a far cry from the dilapidated stadium in Oakland.
The moment is bittersweet. No fans will be allowed because of the pandemic, and Davis himself will stay away in solidarity with them. But a national TV audience will tune in for some football and spectacular vistas, and with typical Las Vegas glitz the Killers will rock the nation during halftime from the rooftop of nearby Caesars Palace.
It’s a new era for the NFL, which once forbid players to even go into casinos. It’s also confirmation of Las Vegas as one of the great sporting cities in the world, as well as a needed psychological boost to a town suffering badly from a drop in tourism caused by COVID19.
“I feel bad that (fans) won’t be able to be at the game, but I do know that with us being here and playing a home game there is still a feel around town: ‘Oh, the Raiders are playing in town,’ ” quarterback Derek Carr said. “So, it’s still exciting and I got people driving up next to my car and waving and going nuts and stuff.”
Briefly: The Raiders could once again be without their top two right tackles Monday night. Las Vegas listed starter Trent Brown and backup Sam Young as doubtful . ... The Jets signed inside linebacker Alec Ogletree from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the 49ers and elevated running back Josh Adams and wide receiver Josh Malone from the practice squad . ... The Lions put guard Joe Dahl on injured reserve due to a groin injury.