Quarterback’s three interceptions, empty stat line fuel 20-9 loss to Chargers
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Geno Smith didn’t just struggle in his first home start with the Las Vegas Raiders. He imploded.
The veteran quarterback threw three interceptions, failed to lead a single touchdown drive and looked out of his depth in a 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. It was the kind of performance that gets remembered — not for resilience or grit, but for how quickly a game can spiral when the quarterback unravels.
Smith’s numbers — 24 completions on 43 attempts for 180 yards — painted a bleak picture, but the mistakes cut deeper than the stat sheet. His opening pass of the night was intercepted. His deep ball was nonexistent, going 0-for-12 on attempts beyond 10 yards. And when the Raiders finally reached the red zone late in the fourth quarter, Smith ended the drive by throwing his third pick.
Every possession seemed to collapse under his hand. Drives stalled, momentum vanished and Daniel Carlson became the entire offense, providing all nine points on field goals.
Meanwhile, the Chargers didn’t need to be spectacular, just competent. Justin Herbert threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard strike to Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen added another score. That was more than enough against a Raiders offense buried under its quarterback’s mistakes.
What made Smith’s outing worse was how visibly shaken he looked. He hesitated in the pocket, forced throws into double coverage and never once found a rhythm with his receivers. The Chargers’ defense smelled blood and closed in, sacking him three times and forcing hurried decisions that turned into giveaways.
By the second half, boos rained down from Allegiant Stadium. The frustration wasn’t just with the loss — it was with Smith, who was brought in to stabilize the Raiders’ offense but instead showcased all the reasons teams have doubted him throughout his career.
Las Vegas fell to 1-1, but the bigger story was the quarterback collapse. This wasn’t a bad night. It was a warning flare. If Smith can’t rebound quickly, the Raiders’ season could sink under the weight of his turnovers and missed opportunities.
For now, the memory lingers: Geno Smith’s first pass was intercepted, and so was his chance to prove he could carry this team under the bright lights of Monday night.
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