After a strong start to the 2025 NFL season, with a win against the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Las Vegas Raiders have struggled, losing three straight games. The last loss was perhaps the toughest, as the team fell short on a blocked attempt at a game-winning field goal by veteran kicker Daniel Carlson.
Although the Raiders are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears, which should’ve gone their way, Las Vegas saw some promising signs on the offensive side of the football. The Raiders were able to run all over the Bears‘ defense, which is something they haven’t been able to do all season.
With the team gaining some traction in the ground game, offensive guard Jackson Powers-Johnson has received high praise for his performance, creating holes for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and veteran Raheem Mostert.
Raiders OC Chip Kelly Makes Hilarious Comment About Jackson Powers-Johnson
GettyJackson Powers-Johnson #58 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
With Powers-Johnson getting a lot of attention for his inspired play in Week 4, Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was asked if he could feel the guard’s presence inside the booth during the game against the Bears. Kelly laughed at what he thought was a funny question from a member of the media.
“I don’t feel anybody’s presence when I’m up in the booth,” Kelly said. “He’s getting an aura now if the offensive coordinator in the booth can feel the right guard’s presence.
“Let me just tell you, I love JPJ, but his head is really big right now, so let’s just not start talking about that part. I mean, maybe we can cut this part of the interview out because he’ll be like, ‘There’s an aura in Allegiant Stadium’ with him.”
Clearly, Kelly has a great sense of humor and seems to have nothing but respect for an offensive lineman who plays with as much effort as Powers-Johnson.
“The one thing I love, he’s a tough kid,” Kelly said. “He plays his tail off. He’s a physical player. Obviously, when he was out, you lose that physicality that he brings, but do I feel it in the box? I’m hermedically sealed up there from anything.”
With Powers-Johnson putting on a show, which lit a fire under the Raiders‘ offense, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do moving forward.
Raiders Already to Bench Veteran QB Geno Smith?
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 28: Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Although he’s shown flashes of brilliance in his first four games with the Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith has had some trouble in the interceptions department. The veteran signal-caller has thrown for more interceptions than touchdowns.
Smith has thrown six touchdowns and seven interceptions, and the turnovers are starting to become a problem. His seven interceptions lead the NFL, one more than 40-year-old Joe Flacco (6) of the Cleveland Browns.
Despite Smith’s struggles, head coach Pete Carroll appears to be sticking with the veteran under center. However, that stance could change if Smith continues to be an interception machine, with Raiders newcomer Kenny Pickett anxiously waiting for his opportunity on the bench.
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