On Sunday against the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith was able to break a franchise record in his debut. The Raiders PR team tweeted about Smith’s big day.
“QB Geno Smith completed 24-of-34 (70.6%) passes for 362 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a 102.8 passer rating. Smith notched his 21st game with 100.0 + passer rating since 2022 (min. 20 att.). His 21 games are tied for the fourth most in the NFL over that span. QB Geno Smith completed 24-of-34 (70.6%) passes for 362 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a 102.8 passer rating. Smith notched his 21st game with 100.0 + passer rating since 2022 (min. 20 att.). His 21 games are tied for the fourth most in the NFL over that span. Geno Smith (318 yards) has recorded the most passing yards in a player’s Raiders debut, breaking the record set by Dan Pastorini (317) in 1980.”
Geno Smith is already looking like the QB the Raiders have needed for some time
The Raiders have needed a guy like Smith for a long time at the QB position. Last year, they had three different guys make starts and play a ton of football at the position in Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder. The year before, the Raiders had the same issue, but with O’Connell, Brian Hoyer, and Jimmy Garoppolo. Before that, they had Derek Carr for ten years, and while he was good at times, he was never consistently good enough, especially not when it mattered most.
Smith is a precise passer and one of the best pure throwers of the football in the league. Yes, he makes mistakes, even made one on Sunday against the Patriots, but he wins football games, and he shows up when it matters. The former Seattle Seahawks QB only had one touchdown and had a turnover, but he played very good, especially for this being a new team.
The Raiders are 1-0, and when the offense wasn’t stalling because of self-inflicted wounds, it looked like an offense capable of making the postseason. We haven’t seen that from this team in quite some time. Now, that is in part because of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, but also because of Smith going out there, leading and executing.
The Raiders got their guy, and he’s already doing some impressive things. But, more importantly, he won Week 1.
