Raiders quarterback Geno Smith damage as Las Vegas season hits new low in dire Denver Broncos loss
The Raiders’ season hit a new low on Thursday night as quarterback Geno Smith got hurt and Las Vegas lost 10-7 to the Broncos.
Smith, who ended his night with 143 passing yards and an interception, was injured on the first play of the fourth quarter when he tried to scramble past Denver star Nik Bonitto.
The linebacker got a hand on Smith’s right knee, and Smith took several more awkward steps before falling to the ground and being landed on by Malcolm Roach.
Smith was briefly replaced by Kenny Pickett before returning to the game – though he was soon after deemed questionable to return with a left quad issue.
And on top of Smith’s injury, Raiders guards Dylan Parham and Jackson Powers-Johnson both left the game with ankle ailments, with the latter set for an extended stretch on the sidelines according to coach Pete Carroll.
Overall, it was a brutal night for the Raiders’ offense as it produced just 188 yards, condemning Las Vegas to a 2-7 record on the year.
Geno Smith threw another interception on Thursday night and got injured against Denver
Smith was injured early in the fourth quarter after trying to scramble for the Raiders
Bo Nix threw two interceptions but ultimately did enough to help the Broncos win
The Broncos fared only slightly better with 220 yards of offense, but they did enough to get the win after Will Lutz kicked a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter.
The Raiders got on the board first with an eight-play, 41-yard drive in the first quarter as Ashton Jeanty punched in a four-yard rushing touchdown.
However, that was about as good as things would get as Vegas ended the game with eight punts.
Denver’s only touchdown of the night came in the second quarter, with Bo Nix finding Troy Franklin for a seven-yard score.
And it was certainly a sloppy performance from both sides, as both AFC West teams committed 11 penalties on the night.
Nix also did not have his best night, as he gave away two interceptions and threw for just 150 yards.
The Raiders’ Jackson Powers-Johnson was also carted off of the field with an ankle injury
Nonetheless, the Broncos improved their postseason standing even further as they moved to 8-2 on the year.
They’ll face the Chiefs next weekend in another big AFC West clash.
The Raiders, meanwhile, will host the Cowboys on Monday Night Football – though it’s unclear if Smith will be available.
It’s been a difficult season thus far for the 35-year-old, who signed a two-year, $75million extension with the team in April after being traded from Seattle the following month.
He now leads all NFL passers with 12 interceptions on the year – though he appeared to have turned a corner in Las Vegas’ overtime loss last week against the Jaguars.
In that game, he threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, as Jacksonville managed to eke out a 30-29 win.
