By Justin Rimpi,Total Apex Sports

Copyright yardbarker

Monday night at Allegiant Stadium felt like watching your buddy try to impress everyone at the neighborhood pickup game by launching three-pointers from the parking lot. Sure, it looks cool when it works, but when you’re 0-for-11 on those shots, maybe it’s time to work on your fundamentals.

Smith’s Monday Night Meltdown Was Hard to Watch

Look, I’ve seen some rough quarterback performances in my day, but watching Geno Smith throw three interceptions while completing zero passes that traveled more than 10 yards downfield was like witnessing a slow-motion car crash. According to Next Gen Stats, Smith became the first quarterback since 2016 to attempt at least 10 passes of that length without completing any of them. That’s not a record you want to hold.

The numbers tell a brutal story: 24-for-43, 180 yards, three picks, and a passer rating of 37. If that were a video game score, you’d restart the level.

Pete Carroll Isn’t Having It

Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about Smith’s decision-making after the 20-9 loss to the Chargers. “I’m not supporting some of the choices there,” Carroll said, which in coach-speak translates to “What the heck were you thinking?”

Carroll’s frustration was palpable, especially when he talked about the team’s impatience in the passing game. “My concern is why we didn’t get the bulk thrown and caught underneath, and we wound up taking those shots,” he said. Translation: Sometimes you need to take what the defense gives you instead of trying to be a hero. The veteran coach has seen enough football to know that forcing throws into coverage rarely ends well, and Monday night proved that point painfully.

When Aggression Becomes Reckless

Here’s the thing about Smith – his willingness to push the ball downfield has been both a blessing and a curse throughout his career. Last season with Seattle, he posted a stellar 109.2 passer rating on throws for 10-plus air yards over three seasons. Against New England in Week 1, he looked like vintage Smith, going 4-for-5 for 120 yards and a touchdown on deep attempts.

But Monday night? The Chargers’ defense turned Smith’s aggressiveness against him like a martial arts master redirecting an opponent’s energy. Every time Smith tried to force a throw, Los Angeles was ready with a defender in the right spot.

The first interception came on literally the first play of the game – a tip-drill special that set the tone for the entire evening. The second pick killed a potential scoring drive right before halftime. The third? Well, that one came right after the Raiders defense had finally given the offense a chance by forcing a turnover on downs.

Taking Ownership When Things Fall Apart

To Smith’s credit, he didn’t make excuses after the game. “Those are things that I got to learn from and be better at,” he said. “Anything that doesn’t look right out there, put that on my shoulders. I feel like I got to be a lot better for our guys. I know I have to, and I will be.”

That’s the kind of accountability you want from your quarterback, even when everything’s going sideways. Smith has been in this league long enough to know that sometimes you eat a bad game and move on. The question is whether he can adjust his approach without losing the aggressiveness that makes him effective.

The Bigger Picture In Vegas

The Raiders’ offensive struggles went beyond just Smith’s poor decisions. The offensive line allowed 16 pressures and three sacks, while the running game managed just 68 yards. When your quarterback is getting pressured and your ground game can’t establish any rhythm, it’s tempting to try to make something happen with your arm.

But here’s where experience matters. Great quarterbacks know when to take what’s available instead of forcing the issue. Tom Brady built a career on taking the underneath stuff and letting his playmakers create after the catch. Aaron Rodgers might have the strongest arm in the game, but he’s not afraid to check down when the deep shots aren’t there.

Week 3 Reality Check

With a short week ahead and a trip to Washington on deck, Smith and the Raiders need to find some middle ground. You can’t be so conservative that you become predictable, but you also can’t be so aggressive that you’re gift-wrapping possessions to the other team.

The silver lining? It’s only Week 2. Smith has enough talent to bounce back from this performance, and Carroll has enough coaching experience to help him find that balance. But if this becomes a pattern rather than an aberration, the Raiders’ season could spiral quickly.

Football is a game of inches and decisions. Monday night, Smith made too many wrong decisions in critical moments. The good news is that the best quarterbacks learn from their mistakes and come back stronger. The bad news? They’ve got about four days to figure it out before facing another opportunistic defense in Washington. Sometimes you’ve got to take your lumps, learn from them, and move forward. That’s exactly what Smith and the Raiders need to do right now.