Quick Read
- Raiders lost 10-7 to Broncos on November 7, with Denver’s defense dominating.
- Coach Pete Carroll addressed rookie mistakes, emphasizing growth and accountability.
- Star tight end Brock Bowers was underutilized, raising questions about offensive strategy.
- Quarterback Geno Smith suffered a quad injury but is expected to recover before Week 11.
Raiders Rookies Face Growing Pains After Loss to Broncos
On November 7, the Las Vegas Raiders were handed a hard-fought 10-7 loss by the Denver Broncos—a game defined by defensive grit and rookie struggles. For head coach Pete Carroll, this night was less about defeat and more about growth. The Broncos, relentless in their pursuit, sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith six times, stifling Las Vegas’s offense and holding them to just 188 total yards. Outside of Ashton Jeanty’s early touchdown, the Raiders’ attack sputtered, leaving first-year players grappling with mistakes and missed opportunities.
Pete Carroll’s Tough Love: Lessons for First-Year Players
After the final whistle, Carroll didn’t shy away from the raw truth. Speaking to reporters, he reflected on the struggles of rookies Ashton Jeanty, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Jack Bech. Jeanty’s mishandled catch led to an interception, while holding penalties from Thornton Jr. and Bech stalled drives. Carroll’s message, however, was clear and constructive: “This isn’t going to be forever. This is what it is right now. It’s probably the first time Dont’e had a shot at that route where he really had a chance, but we had to avoid the pick and didn’t get that done. We practiced it and all that, and it always works out better than that. That guy ran right into him, and that caused the pick.”
He continued, emphasizing the value of experience: “Guys that have been around, that wouldn’t happen too likely. They know how to avoid it because they know what’s coming. They’re going to get a call. Those things will go away. We’ll overcome that. If they don’t, then they’re not getting better. They won’t be here, but they’ll improve on those kinds of things.” Carroll’s approach is not about shielding rookies from criticism; it’s about confronting mistakes head-on, trusting that adversity will ultimately forge stronger, more resilient players.
Brock Bowers’ Quiet Night Raises Questions About Raiders’ Offensive Identity
If rookie errors were one storyline, the underutilization of star tight end Brock Bowers was another. Coming off a breakout performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars—12 catches, 127 yards, and three touchdowns—Bowers was expected to be the focal point against Denver. Instead, he finished with just one reception for 31 yards. This lack of involvement didn’t go unnoticed. Former Raiders wide receiver James Jones, speaking on “Raiders Postgame Live,” voiced concerns about offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s game plan. “Offensively, we got to do better,” Jones said. “I know I come up here every single week and ask, ‘What’s our identity? ‘ I don’t know. Chip don’t know neither. That’s the problem. We don’t know if we want to run it, and we don’t know if we want to throw it. What’s our identity?”
Jones argued that the Raiders cannot depend solely on young talent to deliver in crucial moments and pressed for a more intentional strategy to involve Bowers, calling him the best player on the field. The Raiders’ offensive struggles—wavering between run and pass, lacking a clear identity—have become a recurring theme and a potential stumbling block as the season progresses.
Quarterback Concerns: Geno Smith’s Injury Adds to Raiders’ Woes
Beyond tactical missteps and rookie errors, the health of Geno Smith emerged as a pressing concern. The veteran quarterback endured relentless pressure from the Broncos’ defense, culminating in a quad injury during the second half. Smith’s resilience was evident—he remained in the game despite clear discomfort, briefly giving way to backup Kenny Pickett. Smith’s grit couldn’t mask the impact of his injury, nor the fact that he threw his league-leading 12th interception. After the game, Carroll confirmed that Smith suffered a quad contusion, but reassured fans that extra rest before Week 11 should aid his recovery.
Smith’s struggles mirror the broader uncertainty facing the Raiders: a team searching for rhythm, consistency, and leadership under duress.
Looking Ahead: Will Hard Lessons Spark Growth for the Raiders?
The defeat to Denver is more than a number in the loss column. It’s a snapshot of a team in transition—rookies learning the unforgiving pace of the NFL, coaches searching for answers, and veterans battling through adversity. For Pete Carroll, the message to his young players was stern yet hopeful: mistakes are inevitable, but improvement is non-negotiable. The Raiders now face a critical juncture. Will the pain of this loss serve as a catalyst for growth, or will recurring issues keep the team mired in inconsistency?
As Las Vegas prepares for Week 11, the spotlight remains on its rookies, its offensive game plan, and the health of its quarterback. The answers to these questions may well define the trajectory of their season.
Carroll’s candid approach with his rookies—balancing critique with encouragement—reflects the high-stakes reality of NFL development. The Raiders’ ability to learn from their mistakes and establish a clear offensive identity will determine whether this loss is a passing storm or a sign of deeper issues. As the season unfolds, the response from the locker room will reveal if Carroll’s message takes root.