Student vs. Teacher
Pete Carroll has several significant ties to the Commanders locker room and coaching staff, none more prominent than with Dan Quinn.
The Commanders current head coach was Carroll's defensive line coach, later turned defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks. The two seasons in which Quinn was defensive coordinator, the team made back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
"What did I learn, man a lot," Quinn said Wednesday of coaching under Carroll. "And he helped me grow. He helped me develop. Like most times when you get to help bring someone along. Confidence, belief. ... I think his rock-solid philosophy, that's such an important thing that you need as a head coach. Sometimes as a play caller, you're just this unit just thing. But as the head coach, man, it's everything."
The Raiders head coach is equally excited to face his mentee, with a 3-2 career record against Quinn in games they've both gone head to head in.
"We have a lot of years together, and we've been very close through the times when he began his career as a head coach and all of that," Carroll said. "So, it's a special opportunity. I love competing against people that I know, and the more I like him, the more I like to beat him. So, we'll see how this goes, and we'll try to give them a good game."
Challenge of facing Commanders' "Hall of Fame guy"
Another member of the Commanders who Carroll has deep ties with is their starting middle linebacker, Bobby Wagner.
Carroll and the Seahawks drafted Wagner out of Utah State with their second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He immediately became a starter as a rookie in Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense, and won a Super Bowl with Carroll and Quinn. In Wagner's 11 seasons with the now Raiders head coach, he racked up six First-Team All-Pro selections, nine Pro Bowl selections and 915 solo tackles.
Heading into Sunday's game, Wagner is the Commanders' leading tackler with 21 total and eight solo tackles.
"He's a Hall of Fame guy, the first shot that you would get, I'm sure," Carroll said. "Thousands of tackles, and again, he's off to a great start. He's got over 20 tackles in the first two games already. He always averages about 10 tackles or more game. And so he's doing it again. We had a great relationship. We had a lot of fun together. We won a lot of games and did a lot of great stuff."
Familiarity with QB2
With Jayden Daniels ruled out for Sunday due to a knee sprain, Marcus Mariota will be Washington's starter. He'll line up against his former team in the Raiders and his former college head coach Chip Kelly.
Kelly recruited the four-star quarterback out of Hawaii to Oregon, where Mariota became starting quarterback his redshirt freshman season. In the 2012 season together, Mariota threw for 2,677 passing yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 752 yards and five touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy two years later.
"He's a stud football player and an even better human," Kelly said. "I mean, he's one of the more special people I've had an opportunity to meet in my life. He's a class act. He's a hell of a player, and he's also a class act."
Mariota also spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2020-2021, appearing in 11 games in that span. His last start was Week 13 of the 2022 season for the Atlanta Falcons and is 34-40 as a starter in 10 NFL seasons.
A spotlight on the Raiders defense
Through two games, the Raiders defense has performed up to par.
In two games, they've allowed an average of 16.5 points and 70.5 rushing yards to opposing offenses. They've held both of their opponents to a field goal in the second half of those games while also holding them to 2-for-6 (33.3 percent) in the red zone.
"The guys are doing a good job at halftime, coming in recognizing what the team is trying to do in the first half," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "And really, they and the coaches have done a great job of adjusting the game plan to attack whatever strengths they had in the beginning part of the game, and the guys have had the discipline to stay with it throughout the second half. So, that's been a positive, something to grow off of."
Pro Bowl receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. will pose a threat to a young Raiders secondary. McLaurin had a career-high 13 receiving touchdowns last year with Kliff Kingsberry as offensive coordinator while Samuel currently leads the team in receiving yards (121) and receptions (14).
"Coach Kingsbury, he does such a good job of putting, I would say, the intermediate defenders in conflict and the edge players in conflict," Graham said. "So, that's like, when I describe the offense, I'm sitting there, like, 'Listen, you're going to be in the kitchen. If you're a hook player, you're going to be in the kitchen somehow, some way, whether it's eye candy, whether it's a run-pass conflict, whether it's formationally.' So, they do a real good job with that."
Road field advantage
While going coast-to-coast would be an issue for most teams, it's never been for Pete Carroll.
His teams have historically posted a 25-11 overall record in Eastern Time Zone games when traveling to play from the West Coast. The perfect example came Week 1 at Gillette Stadium, as the Raiders left Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a 20-13 win over the New England Patriots.
The Raiders went 1-7 in Eastern Time Zone games in the previous two seasons.
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The ghost of DMV past
Despite Carroll's success on the East Coast, the Raiders have not had any success against the Washington Commanders.
The last time the Silver and Black defeated the Commanders was in 2005. They're tasked with breaking Washington's current four-game winning streak. The last time these two teams squared off, Washington left Allegiant Stadium with a 17-15 victory in Week 13 of the 2021 season.
Historically, Pete Carroll is 3-3 all-time against Washington as a head coach.
As the Raiders prepare for their Week 3 matchup at Northwest Stadium, view past matchups between the Silver and Black and the Washington Commanders.
Oakland Raiders running back Charlie Smith (23) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Monday, October 19, 1970, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, November 23, 1975, in Washington, D.C.
Oakland Raiders running back Kenny King (33) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 21, 1980, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders safety Mike Davis (36) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 21, 1980, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 21, 1980, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, October 2, 1983, in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Greg Pruitt (34) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, October 2, 1983, in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, October 2, 1983, in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Matt Millen (55) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end/defensive tackle Howie Long (75) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders kicker Chris Bahr (10) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders kicker Chris Bahr (10) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Kenny King (33) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Matt Millen (55) and defensive end/defensive tackle Howie Long (75) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) and running back Marcus Allen (32) during Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders Head Coach Tom Flores and Owner Al Davis after Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) in the locker room with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium, Sunday, January 22, 1984, in Tampa, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the preseason home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, August 18, 1985, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end/defensive tackle Howie Long (75) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, September 14, 1986, in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Sean Jones (99) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, September 14, 1986, in Washington, D.C.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 29, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end/defensive tackle Howie Long (75) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 29, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end/defensive tackle Howie Long (75) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 29, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson (34) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 29, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Steve Beuerlein (7) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 29, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the preseason home game against the Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Saturday, August 22, 1992, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders punter Jeff Gossett (7) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, December 26, 1992, in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Alexander Wright (89) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Saturday, December 26, 1992, in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Anthony Bell (59) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Saturday, December 26, 1992, in Washington D.C.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, December 26, 1992, in Washington, D.C.
Oakland Raiders safety Eddie Anderson (33) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, September 10, 1995, in Washington, D.C.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Pat Swilling (56) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, September 10, 1995, in Washington, D.C.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Pat Swilling (56) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium, Sunday, September 10, 1995, in Washington, D.C.
Oakland Raiders guard Derrick Graham (74), quarterback Jeff George (3), center Barret Robbins (63) and guard Steve Wisniewski (76) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 29, 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Richard Harvey (52) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, November 29, 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 29, 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba (50) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, November 20, 2005, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Danny Clark (55) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, November 20, 2005, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess (56) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, November 20, 2005, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins (5) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, November 20, 2005, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Bobby Hamilton (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, November 20, 2005, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter (84) celebrates after making a 49-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, November 20, 2005, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (5) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 13, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 13, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Matt Shaughnessy (77) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 13, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Jeremy Stewart (32) recovers a blocked punt for a touchdown during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 29, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) makes an 18-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 29, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore (17) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 29, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn (15) during the regular season home game against the Washington Redskins at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 29, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, September 24, 2017, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, September 24, 2017, in Landover, Md.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, September 24, 2017, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, September 24, 2017, in Landover, Md.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Cory James (57) during the regular season away game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Sunday, September 24, 2017, in Landover, Md.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) lines up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 5, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 5, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) pressures the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 5, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. (29) breaks up a pass during the regular season home game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 5, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
