The Raiders are facing a pivotal moment – can these 7 players turn it around in Week 2

The Las Vegas Raiders will take the field at Allegiant Stadium for the first time this preseason and will host the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday afternoon

The Raiders notched a tie in preseason Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, with Las Vegas falling just short of the victory after Seattle blocked Daniel Carlson's last-second field goal.

Of course, the end result means nothing and instead the focus is on how individual players and position groups performed. For those players and groups that had problems, it's crucial for them to bounce back this week.

Here's a look at some players and position groups that fit the bill.

QB Aidan O'Connell

O'Connell is still far and away the favorite to be the Raiders' backup quarterback behind Geno Smith, but he at least cracked the door open for Cam Miller to steal away the job.

While Miller was among the most impressive Raiders in preseason Week 1, O'Connell struggled to the tune of 18-of-30 passing for 205 yards and one touchdown to two interceptions.

If O'Connell wants to stave-off the calls from fans for the Raiders to trade him and promote Miller to QB2, he's got to play better in his second exhibition contest.

RB Ashton Jeanty (but really the offensive line)

Jeanty's highly-anticipated preseason debut was a total dud, with the No. 6 overall pick tallying three carries for -1 yards. It would be great to see Jeanty gain some confidence by having a much better showing in preseason Week 2. Such a performance would also make it easier to sit him in the preseason finale.

It must be said that Jeanty's depressing performance wasn't really his fault, though, as the offensive line was putrid for his three carries, as the rookie had no room to run and was routinely met in the backfield by Seahawks defenders.

We definitely want to see better from Jeanty this week, but that will depend upon the offensive line getting its act together and actually clearing some space for him to operate.

WR Jack Bech

Despite the fact that he was drafted two rounds earlier than Dont'e Thornton, Bech has failed to make the kind of impression the Tennessee product has. In fact, Thornton is listed as a starter on the Raiders' depth chart, but Bech is not.

Thornton has been outshining Bech all offseason long, and he did so once again in preseason Week 1 by reeling in one catch for 17 yards to Bech's one catch for five yards.

If Bech wants to have a sizable role out of the gate, he's got to finish the preseason strong. That begins on Saturday night.

OL Charles Grant

Neither Grant nor fellow rookie offensive lineman Caleb Rogers played well, but it was Grant who was particularly bad.

In 43 snaps at left tackle, Grant was a turnstile and surrendered a team-high four pressures, none of which turned into sacks. That was good enough for a PFF pass-blocking grade of 40.7.

Grant is listed as the top backup at left tackle on the team's latest depth chart, but it's hard to imagine he'll ultimately be the first man off the bench over both Dalton Wagner and Thayer Munford at either tackle spots if he keeps playing the way he did in preseason Week 1.

Raiders' run defense

The Raiders deployed their starting defense early against the Seahawks, and some defensive starters played the entire first quarter in that contest.

In that span, the Seahawks gashed Las Vegas' front on the ground with 68 yards and a score on nine carries. George Holani was responsible for 61 of those yards (long 24) and Seattle's touchdown.

Making the showing more troublesome is the fact that the Seahawks didn't have their entire starting offense out there. Las Vegas needs to do better this week.

DL Jonah Laulu

Laulu looked primed to grab a starting role after the release of Christian Wilkins, but his hopes took a hit in preseason Week 1.

Laulu didn't create any push upfront, nor did he record a single tackle in 27 snaps and posted an awful PFF defense grade of 28.7. Making matters worse, he was penalized twice.

With Laulu struggling, he kicked the door open for Thomas Booker, who has been quickly rising since he was acquired in the Jakorian Bennett trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He’s been flying since day one,” star EDGE Maxx Crosby said of Booker on Thursday.

Booker was clearly better in preseason Week 1 and head coach Pete Carroll has made it clear he has a chance to start. Laulu better get his act together or he'll be backing Booker up come Week 1.

CB Decamerion Richardson

With the emergence of Kyu Blu Kelly, who has been getting first-team reps lately, and with the draft selection of Darien Porter and free-agent signing of Eric Stokes, Richardson is in danger of being the CB4 on the boundary when the season starts.

Richardson didn't exactly help his cause last week, when he gave up a 13-yard reception in 14 snaps. His 52.4 Pro Football Focus coverage grade was also the lowest among the previously-mentioned cornerbacks.

Once considered one of the favorites to become a starter, Richardson is quickly becoming an afterthought. He needs to step up on Saturday night to change the narrative.