CBS Sports Analyst Calls Out Raiders After Loss to Chargers
Geno Smith had a rough outing on September 15 as the Las Vegas Raiders fell 20-9 to the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. The veteran quarterback threw three interceptions and failed to reach the end zone, completing 24 of 43 passes for 180 yards in a game that never found its rhythm.
The Raiders’ ground game didn’t offer much relief either. Ashton Jeanty led the team with only 43 rushing yards as the offensive line struggled to create running lanes. Smith chipped in with 20 yards on the ground, while Tre Tucker added just seven.
It was a tough night all around for Las Vegas, with both the passing and rushing attacks falling short. As a result, CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden is calling out the Silver and Black for lacking an identity in this game.
“They have no identity,” McFadden said on the September 15 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.” “They don’t know what they want to be. And when you look at the players they’ve brought into the organization—Geno Smith and then drafting Ashton Jeanty in the top 10—you would think they would feature him more.
“I think getting him in space could really help the offense in terms of running the football. That would provide a sense of balance, because right now they’re one-dimensional. We’re not seeing Ashton Jeanty surface and showcase his skill set, for whatever reason.”
Can the Raiders Get Their Run Game Going?
The loss pointed to a larger concern—having Smith throw more than 40 times wasn’t the answer against Los Angeles. That strategy led to three costly interceptions from the veteran quarterback.
McFadden also explained how the Raiders could get Jeanty more involved in the run game, helping them avoid becoming one-dimensional and making it easier for defenses to contain.
“You’ve got to utilize and change the strategy
“You cannot be one-dimensional in this league when you talk about not having a running game and putting all the pressure on your quarterback in an offense that really lacks pass catchers in terms of, you know, playmakers outside of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. They’re still trying to figure that side of things out. And that’s what surfaced [against the Chargers].”
Pete Carroll Comments on Ashton Jeanty Usage
After the loss to Los Angeles, Carroll spoke to the media and was asked about Jeanty’s production.
“We’re just getting started,” Carroll said postgame. “He’s breaking into the NFL. He’s figuring it out. When he had 11 or something carries, he’s already had 11. He’ll get more. That’ll come. We’re going to have to run the football better than we did, more effectively.
“We got to get more yards; we have 50 or 60 yards or something rushing — that’s not enough. We got to get more than that. I’d like to see that just as well as you would. The issue with him, trying to get him 25 carries or something like that, we’re breaking him in. So that’ll come.”
Nonetheless, the Raiders will be looking for a bounce-back performance as they head on the road to take on the Washington Commanders on September 21.
Lions veteran is proving everyone wrong about him, and he's being rewarded with an expanded role for it
Detroit Lions veteran is proving everyone wrong about him, and he's being rewarded with an expanded role
I swear to you, I've typed the words edge rusher 750 times in the last few months alone. I wish I could actually count. My favorite time to do it is when it's for a good reason, and this one is. The Detroit Lions are coming off a big win over the Chicago Bears, and they were able to bring pressure and get home for the first time this season. One player who really stood out caught the eye of coaches, and now he's going to get more opportunities going forward.
Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to get an expanded role on the Lions' defense
Muhammad had a great game against the Bears on Sunday. In the times when Marcus Davenport was injured, Muhammad came in and played 36 snaps and put up three pressures and a sack. While it was less noticeable, he had a pressure and a quarterback hit against the Packers in Week 1, too. Muhammad is showing what he can do week to week. Because of that, he's going to get an expanded role on the Lions' defense.
"He had a really good camp, and he just continues to do things for us. He's crafty, he's strong, he's got some explosiveness, and, man, he plays hard. God plays hard." Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. "I mean, there was a number of plays I can think of three right now where he's running out of the stack. He's running out of balls thrown screen and, I mean, he is running to try to get the ball or making a tackle. And it's that kind of effort with what he's got, ability-wise, it gives you a chance. He's been big for us, and he's going to get more of a role. He's earned that."
It's been such a stark difference from what was expected for Muhammad when he got here last year. When I asked Colts beat writer Destin Adams about him after he signed, Adams said right out front that if the Lions were hoping for pass rush from him, they might be disappointed, but that he was strong against the run in Indianapolis.
Adams was right on the latter part of that. Muhammad has been a great run defender in Detroit. But he's also shown to be a strong pass rusher. Perhaps he just didn't get to show that with the Colts. He showed in 2024 and the Lions brought him back, and now he might have a chance to start opposite Aidan Hutchinson against the Ravens since the Lions are waiting to hear what the word is on Davenport.
Let's see what he can do against a Ravens offensive line that struggled against the Browns defense on Sunday, despite their win, saying otherwise.
