The LA Chargers secured yet another massive division win on Monday night and exposed one major Las Vegas Raiders flaw that the enemy fanbase doesn't want to admit.
Despite the numerous flaws throughout the Raiders' roster that have come to light through their first two games, perhaps none have been more glaring than the subpar play of quarterback Geno Smith against the Chargers' defense: a development that could significantly bolster Los Angeles's case for the division.
Smith, throughout the night, struggled to make the right passes, getting fooled multiple times by the Chargers' zone defensive coverages and, per usual, slinging the ball into tight, risky windows that ultimately backfired on him. While the Raiders have a host of exciting pass catchers and a new running back in Ashton Jeanty to match, they will live and die with Smith, and it appears as though he still has not escaped the flaws that led him out of Seattle.
Geno Smith is not the savior for the Raiders (and the Chargers just proved it)
Since the departure of Derek Carr at the end of the 2022 season, Las Vegas has struggled to fill their quarterback position with someone either reliable or explosive, giving snaps to a mix of Aidan O'Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew and even Desmond Ridder.
Yet, with their trade for Smith this past offseason, many thought they had found an electric quarterback who could finally elevate this offense to a competitive level. Nevertheless, even the most ardent Smith supporters understand that his game comes with significant risks.
Smith is liable to sling the ball wherever he sees an opening, and, last season with the Seattle Seahawks, he threw for 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions across 17 games, nearing the obscene mark of 21 he set for himself as a rookie in the latter category and ultimately leaving the Seahawks out of the playoffs.
Against a New England Patriots defense in Week 1 that, frankly, did not come out as strongly as many expected, Smith threw for a 70.6% completion rate and matched his singular touchdown with one interception, leading the team to a Week 1 victory.
Yet, against the Chargers, Smith threw for only a 55% completion rate, gaining just 180 air yards and throwing three interceptions, two of which were from deflections on passes thrown into exceedingly tight windows.
This is the Smith experience, and, as the Raiders are set to face a number of tough defenses as they pass through the gauntlet of the AFC this season, it is quite possible that there will be a number of games like this ahead for Smith. Therefore, his struggles against Los Angeles possibly only represent the tip of the iceberg, and the Chargers may have just exposed what will ultimately prove to be the downfall of Las Vegas this season.