Ladies and gentlemen, the Las Vegas Raiders have a quarterback. And a coach. This newfound confidence allows the team to keep fighting and ultimately turn the page on years of ineptitude.
The Raiders won an evenly matched game against the Patriots in New England on Sunday, 20-13, coming from behind after trailing 10-7 at the half. Coach Pete Carroll’s team kept its resolve after a first-half interception from quarterback Geno Smith led to a Patriots touchdown and plenty of momentum for the home team.
Despite Smith’s early miscue, he kept firing the ball down the field. He connected on nine passes of more than 20 yards, including a touchdown throw to wide receiver Tre Tucker on the game’s opening drive and a 36-yard bomb to wideout Dont’e Thornton Jr. in the fourth quarter that helped Las Vegas run the clock and seal the victory.
Still, there are plenty of concerns arising for Las Vegas after this win—namely, the offensive line.
What happened to the Raiders’ ground game?
While Smith had 362 passing yards, the Raiders had just 56 yards rushing. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty notched a touchdown but averaged just two yards per run. Smith faced too much pressure, getting sacked four times and being hit too often.
The defense played on the edge all game, but it did just enough. It took advantage of the Patriots’ mistakes and their inexperienced offensive line, notching four QB sacks and supplying steady pressure on second-year quarterback Drake Maye that forced a fumble and an interception.
However, let’s return to Coach Carroll. His decision to remain aggressive on offense near the end of the first half appeared to send a message and jump-start his team.
Las Vegas had the ball at its own 26-yard line with just 39 seconds left in the half. The Raiders were reeling. If Carroll opted to take a knee and hit the locker room, few would’ve faulted him.
Instead, the Raiders were aggressive and earned a field goal try from kicker Daniel Carlson. He missed, but the message was sent. Las Vegas has the weapons on offense that merit an assertive approach, no matter the situation. The Raiders responded with a total team effort after the break, resulting in a 10-0 advantage in the third quarter that turned the game in their favor.
The Chip Kelly offense
Smith, along with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, is the key to Carroll’s confidence on offense. Smith’s ability unlocks so much for this Raiders team. Without him, the team would have no shot this season. With him, they have reason to believe.
Next week, the test will be much tougher, however. Las Vegas will host the Chargers on Monday night after Los Angeles handed the Chiefs a Week 1 loss in Sao Paulo.
How the Raiders stack up against the Chargers will be telling. The degree of difficulty will skyrocket. Issues on the offensive line could be magnified even further. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert will provide a firm test.
But as the Raiders rebuild their roster, the ability to beat evenly matched teams like the Patriots will tell the story of the season. If they beat the teams that are in a similar situation to their own—a rebuilding squad with no serious Super Bowl aspirations—then this season will be a success and set the table for a rebuild that actually comes to fruition, unlike untold regimes of Raiders past.
Las Vegas has a chance to do just that in 2025, thanks to the unwavering confidence of Carroll and the skill of Smith.
What’s next?
The next step for Las Vegas is to keep improving, especially along the offensive line, and let the chips fall where they may. While the schedule over the next two weeks is difficult—the Raiders face the Commanders on the road in Week 3—the schedule softens with consecutive winnable games against the Bears, Colts, and Titans.
Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, and there are bound to be surprises along the way. After this Week 1 win, it’s difficult to predict how this season will unfold for Las Vegas. But it’s clear: the Raiders have a coach with resolve and elite coaching ability, along with coordinators who can make adjustments. Leaders Smith and defensive end Maxx Crosby have talent and the will to win. This team has the potential to significantly improve from the previous season.
So enjoy the week, Raider Nation. You’ve earned it. It’s taken three regimes in three years for team owner Mark Davis, but there’s finally something cooking in Las Vegas.
Related: 3 Overreactions Following Week 1 For The Raiders
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images