Raiders are paying $75 million to learn what Seahawks already knew
The Seattle Seahawks switched a lot of things around this offseason offensively. Out with the old and in with the new. Sort of. This is true at quarterback, where clearly general manager John Schneider didn't think 34-year-old QB Geno Smith was going to be the long-term answer as QB1.
Instead, Seattle traded Smith, who was seemingly unhappy with how much the Seahawks were offering him in a potential contract extension, to the Las Vegas Raiders. To take Smith's spot, Schneider signed Sam Darnold, who is seven years younger than Smith.
So far through two games, Darnold has been pretty good for Seattle. Meanwhile, the Raiders are experiencing the full Geno Smith experience after giving him a two-year and up-to $75 million extension after Vegas acquired him.
Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith isn't good for the Las Vegas Raiders
What the Seattle Seahawks have known about Geno Smith for three years is that he can make every throw on the field, and he knows this. The problem is he likes to force passes he shouldn't. He is great for an explosive play or three every game, and he is good for the same amount of bad decisions.
In Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that is clearly no joke in 2025 and has a very good defense, Smith was awful. He finished with a quarterback rating of 37. That is about the score one might get for taking an exam and signing their name.
Peyton Manning once said that every pass he ever threw, he had signed his name to it. This meant whatever happened on the throw, he was involved. Touchdown? Great. Interception? Manning was still partly to blame.
Smith didn't toss any touchdowns against the Chargers, but he did throw three interceptions. The picks weren't just great plays by the Chargers, either. The quarterback was gifting LA with terrible decisions, throwing into double coverage and looking a lot like he did in Week 9 for the Seahawks in 2024.
Only in that game, Smith also had a couple of touchdown passes. In Week 2 for the Raiders, he appeared bent on making sure his team could not come back.
Even his extremely supportive head coach (and former Seahawks coach) Pete Carroll wasn't sure what Smith was trying to accomplish. Post-game, he said, "I'm not supporting some of the choices there...My concern is why we didn't get the bulk thrown and caught underneath, and we wound up taking those shots."
In Pete-speak, that is kind of like being screamed at by a loving parent. It must be the worst feeling for Smith.
Sam Darnold will have bad games for the Seattle Seahawks in the future, as every quarterback has bad games, but Raiders fans can be certain that Geno Smith will make a bunch of wonderful throws, but he will also cost his team games with atrocious decision-making.
Bo Nix and the Broncos face scrutiny as 4 blunders overshadow controversial call in crushing defeat
Bo Nix and the Broncos face scrutiny as 4 blunders overshadow controversial call in crushing defeat
The Denver Broncos found themselves in the eye of a storm following a disappointing defeat, one marked by a series of errors that paved the way for a contentious officiating decision to loom large in the aftermath. As the Broncos processed the loss, the blame game began, with four critical blunders drawing immediate attention.
Critical Errors Set the Stage
In a game that could have swung in their favor, the Broncos’ performance was marred by significant mistakes. These errors were not just minor slip-ups but rather glaring miscalculations that ultimately shifted momentum away from Denver.
Turnovers: The Broncos turned the ball over at crucial moments, allowing their opponents to capitalize and build a lead.
Missed Opportunities: Several promising drives stalled due to penalties or missed throws, leaving points on the field.
Defensive Lapses: Key defensive assignments were overlooked, resulting in explosive plays that should have been contained.
Special Teams Struggles: Issues in the special teams unit contributed to poor field position, further complicating Denver’s efforts to mount a comeback.
These blunders collectively set the stage for a controversial call late in the game that many fans and analysts felt overshadowed the Broncos’ larger issues.
The Controversial Call
With the game hanging in the balance, a questionable foul by the officials drew ire from players and fans alike. The call not only shifted the momentum but also ignited a debate about officiating standards and their impact on the game.
Quarterback Bo Nix, visibly frustrated, was seen discussing the call with officials. “It’s tough to see a game decided on a call like that,” Nix remarked, reflecting the sentiment among his teammates and the fan base.
Looking Ahead
While the controversy surrounding the officiating will dominate the headlines, the Broncos must confront the underlying issues that contributed to their defeat. With the next game approaching, the focus will be on rectifying these errors.
The Broncos have plenty to analyze as they prepare for their upcoming matchup. Turning their attention to improving execution and reducing mistakes will be critical if they hope to regain their footing.
As the scrutiny intensifies, both the players and coaching staff will have to navigate the fallout from this loss, using it as a learning opportunity to build a more resilient team moving forward.
