Going into Foxborough and getting a win is never an easy task for any team in the NFL, especially with the improved New England Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Nonetheless, it’s exactly what the Las Vegas Raiders went into Gillette Stadium, walking away with an imposing win.
The Silver and Black ended up winning 20-13 behind Geno Smith’s 362 passing yards, which was the most in a Raiders debut.
Smith will have some things to improve on, as he threw an interception, but for the most part, he was great, completing 70.6% of passes and posting a 102.8 rating.Â
After the game, Smith made some impressive remarks, showing the confidence level he has had throughout his career.Â
“I’m me. That’s all I think about. I don’t think about anything else; I’m me,” Smith said after the game, per NFL.com. “I know who I am, I know what I can do.
“Mistakes happen, things happen within the game. 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.”
Can Geno Smith Be the Answer for the Raiders at QB?
While the Las Vegas Raiders have had some below-average quarterback play at times, Smith proved that he might be the answer. It’ll be interesting to see how Pete Carroll utilizes him in the future, as there are still areas for improvement, but this might be the best quarterback play the Raiders have had in a very long time.
They also did good things on the ground, despite Ashton Jeanty only averaging 2.0 yards per carry. He still rushed for a touchdown, showing that Smith might have some more weapons than initially expected.Â
Geno Smith Brings Impressive Trait to Las Vegas
Perhaps more importantly than anything else for the Las Vegas Raiders, they needed someone at the quarterback position with confidence.Â
When examining what Smith did, Paul Gutierrez of the team’s official site noted that the mentality Smith will bring to this organization is exactly what it needs. If they want to make any noise this season, it’ll have to be because of what Smith instills in the rest of the roster.Â
âSmith did not blink. Not until after he had picked himself up, dusted himself off and authored a franchise record for most passing yards in a quarterback’s debut and the final gun had sounded on the Raiders’ feel-good 20-13 season-opening win at the Patriots on Sunday.
âAnd that mentality is exactly what the Raiders need from the most important position in team sports if they want to make some noise this season, something the Raiders have missed at quarterback for years,â he wrote.
Smith has been criticized as a player in the past and has certainly heard all the noise.Â
However, if he can continue to do what he did Sunday for the Raiders and they clean up some other things, this should be a much better season than many had anticipated entering the year.
Things won’t get any easier for the Raiders, not only in a tough AFC West but in general.
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