Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits him this Sunday when his team takes on the Indianapolis Colts.
Coming off another rough performance marred by turnovers, Smith now faces one of the league’s most disciplined and opportunistic defenses. The Colts have been stout against the run and tough to beat through the air, a combination that doesn’t bode well for a Raiders offense still searching for consistency.
Geno Smith Praises Colts Defense Ahead of Key Matchup
GettyThe Indianapolis Colts’ defense is no small task for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith doesn’t hide the fact that the Colts‘ defense will be his biggest test yet of the season.
“When you look up front with DeForest Buckner and Grover [Stewart], I think they’re two of the better interior guys that we’re going to see all year,” Geno Smith said. “With [Laiatu] Latu and Kwity Paye, two first-round draft picks, guys who are developing like we all are, and I mean they show a lot of explosion on tape. So things we got to account for, Zaire Franklin, middle linebacker, 150 tackles a year. He does this thing every single year. And then we know about Camryn Bynum in the back end. …All those guys are capable and can make plays.”
There’s no mincing words for Smith. The Colts‘ defense has some playmakers on all three phases, and it’s not going to be easy for the Raiders’ offense, that’s for sure.
In fact, the Colts enter Week 5 tied for ninth in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed (384) and rank sixth in interceptions with four. Their front seven has been a force, and their secondary has capitalized on errant throws…something Smith has struggled to avoid in recent weeks.
Despite his compliments for the Colts, Smith emphasized that Sunday’s result will ultimately come down to execution.
“It’s about how we execute, though,” he said. “We’re going to see good teams every single week, and we’re a good team. So, we’ve got to go out there and prove it. We’ve got to go out there and execute, prove ourselves. And I feel really good about it.”
Smith Under Pressure
Smith’s leadership and confidence are important, but his performance on the field has raised legitimate concerns.
Smith has thrown three interceptions in a game twice this season, including last Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears, pushing his total to a league-leading seven interceptions through just four games.
For comparison, he finished with 15 interceptions last season with the Seattle Seahawks, which was the third-most in the NFL. If this trend continues, Smith could soon find himself on the sideline.
The Raiders have shown flashes of offensive balance thanks to Ashton Jeanty, who provided a much-needed spark in the ground game last week. But that likely won’t be the case against a much more formidable defense that the Colts boast.
Sunday’s matchup against Indianapolis will be a crucial test, not just for the Raiders‘ offense, but for Smith’s standing as the team’s starting quarterback. The coaching staff has remained patient, but another poor showing could open the door for backup quarterback Kenny Pickett. The former Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round pick has yet to see a meaningful snap in Las Vegas, but that could change soon.
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