Las Vegas started the season with a trip East to New England and left with a 20-13 win.
Newcomers Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty made their mark on offense while the defense recorded four sacks and an interception.
Competent Quarterback Counts
The quarterback position has been in flux since Derek Carr departed. The likes of Jimmy Garoppolo, Aiden O’Connell, and Gardner Minshew didn’t get it done.
Head coach Pete Carroll and Smith had proven to be a winning combination in Seattle, and that was the case today.
Smith hit seven different receivers, with his two favorites being Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers (more on those two later). He was an efficient 24-34 for 362 yards, one touchdown, and an interception.
The interception was the type Smith needs to avoid. He threw it into coverage, and the ball got deflected in the air and picked off.
“Mistakes happen, things happen within the game,” said Smith. There was a tipped pass, I made the right read, could’ve made a better throw. … Not going to hang my head, I’m keep going. … I just know who I am. I know what I can do on that field so I never worry.”
The touchdown pass was a beauty to a wide-open Tre Tucker. It’s a pass that the last three starting quarterbacks in the Silver and Black would’ve missed.
Running Game Blues
There’s no secret that the Raiders need to run the ball better, and it didn’t start today.
As a team, the Raiders mustered up 56 yards on 24 carries (2.3 yards per carry). First round draft pick, finished with 38 yards and a touchdown.
There was nowhere for the backs to go.
The offensive line had its ups and downs. Not only did the running game struggle, but the offensive line also gave up four sacks.
The Raiders can’t ask Smith to drop back to pass almost 40 times per game. It’s not a winning formula for this team.
Law Firm of Meyers and Bowers
Jakobi Meyers didn’t play like a player who just asked to be traded.
Meyers had eight receptions for 97 yards.
“I’m happy to play football,” said Meyers. “I’m happy to be with my boys. I’m happy to be a Raider, but like I said, man, wherever the job takes me and whoever needs me to win and whoever want me to be there, I’m going to be there proudly.”
Bowers got dinged up in the fourth, but before exiting the game, he had five catches for 103 yards.
“Oh, I don’t know, my knee was a little sore, but it is okay. Maybe I just fell on it. I don’t really know. I just got up the next play and I’m a little sore, so I just came out and got it looked at. We have practice this week, and we’ll see what happens.”
Bowers made a critical fourth-and-one reception in the fourth quarter. The drive ended with a field goal that pushed the lead to 20-10.
Both receivers added on to their receptions with yards after catch. Meyers had 41, and Bowers had 54.
