Geno Smith Faces Pressure as Raiders’ Losing Streak Reaches Six Games
The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in a precarious position, entering their upcoming match against the Denver Broncos amid a six-game losing streak. This AFC West showdown presents a daunting challenge as Las Vegas seeks to reverse a troubling trend that has been building for several weeks.
Current State of the Raiders
This season has been particularly tumultuous for the Raiders, with quarterback Geno Smith at the center of the storm. The veteran signal-caller currently shares the dubious distinction of leading the league in interceptions, a statistic that highlights the struggles he has faced on the field.
In a recent press conference, Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addressed Smith’s performance and the challenges he has encountered this season. “I think it’s been really important because we started so far off. We got all those picks that started out early in the season,” Carroll explained. He emphasized the need to help Smith avoid carrying the weight of early setbacks into the remainder of the season. “To me, it was a real effort to just keep Geno clear and not carry the burden of all of that into the rest of the season, because it happened early, and it was significant. It wasn’t all him at any time,” Carroll added.
Looking for a Turnaround
Carroll’s faith in Smith, who boasts over a decade of experience in the league, is rooted in the belief that the quarterback can still find his footing after a challenging campaign. As the Raiders prepare for their crucial match against the Broncos, the team is in dire need of Smith to navigate the issues that have plagued their offense throughout the season.
“There are a lot of things that go into all that, but he’s been around long enough that he knows he’s going to carry the burden and he’s going to be the one everybody’s pointing the finger at,” Carroll noted. He underscored the importance of support and communication between himself and Smith, stating, “I wanted to make sure and stay with him and hang through that and get him back to his football and back where he could play really clean.”
Challenges Ahead Against the Broncos
As the Raiders look to halt their losing streak, they require the best version of Smith to show up against a formidable Broncos squad. Unfortunately, the offensive line has struggled to provide adequate protection, resulting in Smith being sacked 15 times over the past two games.
“He really has turned the corner in that regard,” Carroll said, reflecting optimism about Smith’s recent progress. “We haven’t been as productive as we want to be and need to be, but his role in it and his efficiency is really much more on point than it’s been, as it was early in the season.” Carroll acknowledged that while Smith’s performance has improved, there are underlying issues that will need to be addressed in the offseason.
The relationship between Carroll and Smith has been pivotal during this difficult stretch. The coach mentioned, “Our relationship has been really crucial. And I talk to him regularly. You saw me once on the field.” With the weight of expectations on his shoulders, Smith must rise to the occasion if the Raiders hope to reclaim their momentum in the season ahead.
