LAS VEGAS -- In the piercing cold winds of Empower Field at Mile High, the Las Vegas Raiders’ 10-7 defeat against the Denver Broncos left a deep scar, but amidst this dreadful loss, their signal-caller, Geno Smith’s iron-like resilience shone through. Smith, who was “obviously banged up and hurt” during the game, showed that he would not leave the field. On Thursday, the Raiders spoke following a loss in Denver, when asked about his physical struggles,
"I never want to leave my teammates out there alone,” the Raiders quarterback told the media. “I feel like it's a big responsibility of mine to be out there and to do whatever I can to help us win. I felt like I could try to tough it out, and that's what I tried to do... mentally, I just try to block out the pain and just focus on executing the plays, obviously in a lot of pain. But I think just with the guys out there and just being out there having the adrenaline going… the pain is the pain is going to be there regardless, but I wanted to win this game.
Even this sacrifice from Smith proved meaningless when the team ended up shooting themselves in the foot. The Broncos were practically begging them to win, but the Raiders compiled a long list of mirage-like mistakes. For example, wide receiver Jack Bech’s holding penalty instantly erased running back Ashton Jeanty’s 32-yard run that could have secured a 14-0 lead. Then Dont’e Thornton’s crushing drop snatched away a well-set field goal opportunity.
The offense performed so poorly that they failed to gain a single first down on seven straight drives - marking the worst offensive shutdown in the NFL this season, even worse than the dreadful game played against the Kansas City Chiefs.
While this part of the game was filled with disappointment, in contrast, the Raiders defense was truly on fire. They held the Broncos offense to 220 yards. It was the defense that gave everything they had, yet the offense and special teams' mistakes washed away all the Raiders’ hard work. And what was left? Just a painful ending. Daniel Carlson, who usually kicks with his eyes closed, missed the 48-yard field goal that would’ve tied the game — wide right.
“There's a lot of in-between things to talk about, but the way that they competed was just what we're hoping for,” Carroll said. “It's just what we're looking for. And do Yeah. Could we not clip a guy? Could we not hold a guy? Yeah. Could we not pick a guy? Yeah. There are so many things we can get better at… ain't no doubt about it. And I really, I couldn't wait to tell them how proud I was of the way they competed.”
Now that the Silver and Black have fallen to 2-7, their next stop is at Allegiant Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, on Nov. 17. Geno Smith's pain-filled effort is worthy of praise — but can this broken harmony find its rhythm again in the challenging times ahead?