Veteran quarterback throws for 362 yards at age 34, gives Las Vegas stability under center
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP) — Geno Smith walked into Gillette Stadium on Sunday with plenty of questions surrounding him. By the time he walked out, he had answered them all.
In his Raiders debut, Smith threw for 362 yards, setting a franchise record for most passing yards in a debut and leading Las Vegas to a 20–13 win over the New England Patriots. The performance wasn’t just about numbers—it was about presence, control and the sense that the Raiders had finally found the steady hand they’ve been searching for.
At 34, Smith arrived in Las Vegas carrying both experience and expectations. A journeyman who revived his career in Seattle, he was tasked with stabilizing a franchise that has cycled through quarterbacks with little success. One game in, he looked like more than a stopgap. He looked like a quarterback capable of shaping the Raiders’ identity.
His command showed early. After shaking off an interception in the first half, Smith settled into rhythm, completing 24 of 34 passes with a completion rate just over 70 percent. He spread the ball across the field, moving the chains with timing throws and daring shots downfield. He averaged more than 10 yards per attempt, a mark that underscored both efficiency and explosiveness.
The signature moment came in the fourth quarter. Protecting a one-score lead with the clock winding down, Smith dropped back on second-and-long. Under pressure, he launched a strike down the right sideline to Dont’e Thornton for 36 yards. The throw, threaded perfectly, sealed the game and silenced the crowd. It was the kind of play the Raiders have too often lacked in critical moments — a quarterback making a decisive throw when it mattered most.
What separated Smith on Sunday wasn’t just his arm. It was his composure. He looked comfortable directing traffic, diagnosing coverages and adjusting protections. He rarely forced the issue, choosing instead to pick his spots. When New England tried to rattle him with pressure, he held his ground and delivered.
For Las Vegas, that steadiness represents more than one victory. It hints at a path forward. The Raiders’ offense has weapons, but without a quarterback capable of maximizing them, potential has gone untapped. Smith’s debut showed he can be that catalyst.
Breaking Dan Pastorini’s 45-year-old record of 317 passing yards in a Raiders debut only added to the significance. But the record was secondary to the message: the Raiders have a quarterback who looks the part, plays the part and doesn’t flinch when the game is in his hands.
Smith’s first game in silver and black wasn’t about rewriting history books as much as it was about setting a tone. A tone of confidence, resilience and control.
For one afternoon in Foxborough, Geno Smith didn’t just start a new chapter. He gave the Raiders a reason to believe the story could be different this time.
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