Geno Smith's Uneven Start Sparks Doubts Over Raiders' $75M Deal
The Las Vegas Raiders extended their losing streak to three games after a narrow 7-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in the NFL. The Raiders have now suffered seven defeats in nine outings this season. Geno Smith, the team's quarterback, faced heavy pressure, being sacked six times during the game.
Performance and Team Defense
While the Raiders' defense performed solidly, the offensive struggles, especially from their highly-paid quarterback, were difficult for fans to watch. Smith's inconsistent form this season casts doubt on his recent two-year, $75 million contract extension.
Previous Highlights and Expectations
Many expected the Raiders to break their two-game losing streak in the matchup against the Broncos on Thursday Night Football (November 6). This belief stemmed from Smith's excellent prior game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he threw four touchdown passes with a 74.4% completion rate. Despite this, the Jaguars narrowly won 30-29.
Broncos' Defensive Strength
- The Broncos lead the league in sacks with 40.
- Their defense recorded 100 quarterback pressures and 38 knockdowns.
- They allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns to opponents this season.
Smith's Statistics Under Pressure
- Completion rate under pressure: 66%.
- Sacked 21 times so far this season.
- Tied for the league lead in interceptions.
- Average time to throw: 2.86 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats.
“The key to gaining an advantage over Denver was to get the ball out quickly.”
Smith’s struggles amid a relentless Broncos defense highlight the challenge ahead for the Raiders this season.
Author's summary: Geno Smith's inconsistent play and heavy pressure from Denver's defense have fueled doubts about the Raiders' $75 million contract investment, as the team's losing streak deepens.