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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders dropped to 2-11 following their Week 14 defeat against the Denver Broncos on December 7 at Allegiant Stadium. Moreover, it was a challenging contest for the Raiders’ defense, which couldn’t record a scoreless quarter against Bo Nix and Co.
While the Las Vegas defense did limit the Denver offense in the fourth quarter, it didn’t help much because the Raiders’ offense couldn’t muster up offense in the three previous quarters.
Geno Smith left the game in the second half with an injury, and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett took over. The former first-round pick went 8-for-11 on his pass attempts for 97 passing yards and one touchdown. However, this spark in the offense proved to be too little too late.
With another loss to their record, Raiders star Maxx Crosby spoke about whether losing 11 of their last 12 wears on him and the team.
“You just have to keep playing,” Crosby told reporters postgame when asked about whether their recurring losses are impacting the effort (h/t Nick Walters of Vegas Sports Today). “You get 17 opportunities, work all year for 17 guaranteed games… I don’t think the energy is our problem — You know what I mean? There are a lot of things that need to improve across the board, simple as that.”
Raiders’ Pete Carroll Hoping for Healthy Geno Smith
With Pickett giving the offense a bit of a spark and Smith working through an injury, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was asked who would start in Week 15. The answer didn’t do much to reassure the former first-round pick that he’ll get the start before the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Let me just wait and see what happens,” Carroll told reporters postgame. “I’m going to do what I think is the right thing to do. If Geno can play, that’s my thought. But I know Kenny can play. Our players understood it, too. Kenny did a good job. They recognize that he might pull the game.
“I’m hoping for Geno to get back out there and see how he does, but we’re not going to play if he’s not right. Kenny will be ready to go, and Aidan [O’Connell] will be ready to go as well. That’s just the way we deal with it.”
Pete Carroll Praises Kenny Pickett After Loss to Broncos
With Pickett giving the offense a bit of a spark and Geno Smith managing an injury, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was asked who he plans to start in Week fifteen. His answer didn’t do much to inspire confidence before the matchup with the Eagles.
“I’ve seen a lot of Kenny in practice when they always come back to that,” Carroll added. “He’s active, he’s quick, he’s really athletic, he’s a good thinker. He’s a really clearly competitive guy that gets situational football and knows what’s going on…
“But his mentality, and I’m coaching the hell out of him because I want him to be ready if the opportunity pops. This is exactly how we did it with Geno for years. However long it takes for the opportunity, he’s going to be ready to go. He’s got enough stuff to him. His athleticism, I keep in mind, use your legs and run because he’s really quick.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. He previously covered the league for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has contributed as a freelance writer for The Sporting News. He also served as an editor for Athlon Sports and Heavy Sports focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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