When notifications startled you last spring, revealing the Las Vegas Raiders had acquired veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks, your reaction was likely to shrug it off. The move wasn’t earth-shattering but aimed to stabilize a struggling position. However, five weeks into the season, it’s proven to be a major failure.
After suffering a heavy setback with a 40-6 loss against the Indianapolis Colts, the Raiders are now 1-4 for the season, placing them last in the AFC West. The aspirations of competing by Thanksgiving seem to fade with every passing game. Smith’s time in Sin City has been marred by his ongoing issue with turnovers.
In this latest defeat, Smith encountered his third game this season with multiple interceptions, tallying two that were quickly converted into touchdowns by the Colts. His staggering total of nine interceptions highlights recurring problems that have hindered his performance. Geno Smith now shares an undesirable record tied for the second-most interceptions thrown by a Raiders quarterback in his first five games, just behind Jay Schroeder’s mark from 1988.
In assessing his performance, Smith’s struggles are evident:
| Player | Passing Yards per Game | Yards per Attempt | Completion Percentage | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geno Smith (2025) | 235.2 | 7.2 | 65% | 75.6 |
| Raiders QBs (2024) | 223.4 | 6.5 | 64.6% | 82.4 |
Despite receiving a two-year extension worth $75 million tying him to the Raiders through 2027, management may face a tough decision for the following season. As his performance remains lackluster, a change may be inevitable, putting the franchise back at square one under center yet again.
Game Balls
Highlighting noteworthy performances from the week.
- Cam Ward: Displayed resilience against the Arizona Cardinals; notched his first career win.
- Quinshon Judkins: Impressive rush statistics amid tough competition.
- Rico Dowdle: Dominated in a surprising comeback win against the Miami Dolphins.
- C.J. Stroud: Remarkable accuracy leading his team to victory.
- Kendrick Bourne: Stepped up in the receivers department when the team required it most.
Gaffes
- A.J. Brown made a critical error during a vital moment against the Eagles, impeding his teammate from a potentially game-winning touchdown.
- Emari Demercado faced criticism for not securing the ball effectively.
- Kyren Williams’ fumble on the goal line cost the Los Angeles Rams a late victory.
Two-Minute Drill
Quick takeaways from Week 5:
- The Raiders are facing serious depth and performance crises.
- Lamar Jackson’s health remains crucial for the Ravens’ recovery.
- Noteworthy performances from rookies such as Quinshon Judkins and C.J. Stroud signal a positive trend for their respective teams.
