For the second straight season, Geno Smith has confirmed to be a thorn within the Patriots’ aspect, even when the veteran quarterback doesn’t see it that manner.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the thorn in anyone’s aspect,” Smith instructed the Herald after the Raiders spoiled New England’s season opener with a 20-13 victory. “We bought a win immediately that was good. They’re our opponent. We’re on the highway, and we needed to win it.”
Smith, in his twelfth season within the NFL, threw for 362 yards and a landing whereas posting a 102.8 quarterback ranking in his Las Vegas debut. The Raiders acquired the 34-year-old in a commerce with Seattle through the offseason.
Smith’s efficiency on Sunday proved harking back to his Week 2 begin within the Patriots’ dwelling opener final season, after New England pulled off a shocking Week 1 victory in Cincinnati.
The quarterback threw for 327 yards and a landing, connecting with star receivers DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba 22 instances for 246 yards. Smith guided the Seahawks to a 23-20 extra time win, altering the vibes for the Patriots.
New England would then drop the subsequent 5 video games, beginning the season at 1-6.
The Patriots group has excessive hopes for Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach.
However Smith crushed an electrical ambiance inside Gillette Stadium early on Sunday. He guided the Raiders on a gap 6-play, 66-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard landing move to receiver Tre Tucker simply 2:43 into the season, placing Vegas forward 7-0.
Trailing 10-7 at halftime, Smith got here out of the locker-room break and linked with former Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers twice for 57 yards (together with a 15-yard defensive penalty on New England’s Jaylinn Hawkins). That helped arrange rookie operating again Ashton Jeanty’s first NFL landing, with a three-yard rush on the 9:44 mark within the third quarter, and Vegas going forward for good.
“He’s a star participant within the NFL,” Vegas head coach Pete Carroll stated of Smith postgame. “He has been doing this for a very long time. That was a standard response for him to only not fear about it.”
Smith stayed poised when Patriots followers bought loud for the ultimate time, as he linked with tight finish Michael Mayer for eight yards on a 4th-and-1, extending a Vegas drive across the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter. The drive ended with a 40-yard subject aim from kicker Daniel Carlson with 6:46 left.
The veteran relied on Meyers, who put up eight catches for 97 yards, and star tight finish Brock Bowers, 5 catches for 103 yards, to hold the majority of the Vegas offense.
Although he beat the Patriots for the second straight season, Smith stated he’s impressed with the Patriots’ defensive unit. New England restricted the Raiders to only 2.3 yards per carry and sacked Smith 4 instances whereas forcing an interception.
“They have a whole lot of younger gamers, growth gamers,” Smith stated. “The fellows on the entrance are stout and hard. They’re going to have a tricky protection going ahead.”
