Geno Smith, Raiders go backwards in sloppy home-opening loss to Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (23) intecepts a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. Photo by: Wade Vandervort

In the season opener last week, Raider fans caught a glimpse of everything that makes their new quarterback special.

In the home opener Monday night at Allegiant Stadium, Raider fans saw the opposite — the flaws that have kept 13-year NFL veteran quarterback Geno Smith from ever ascending to elite status.

Smith was careless and uncomfortable throughout an 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, in stark contrast to the lethal rhythm and explosive ability he showed in a win over the New England Patriots in Week 1.

Smith put up 180 passing yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 24 of 43 passing attempts in a game where the silver and black never led.

The 34-year-old put Las Vegas in a hole early by throwing an interception on the first play from scrimmage. A short pass hit off of Los Angeles safety Alohi Gilman’s hands but linebacker Daiyan Henley was able to gather the deflection at Las Vegas’ own 25-yard line.

The Raiders’ defense held the Chargers without a first down on the possession and ultimately only a field goal, but the unit couldn’t stand as strong all night.

Smith’s struggles looked amplified next to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who was in complete control throughout the evening. Herbert finished with 242 passing yards and two touchdowns on 19-for-27 passing.

His first touchdown pass came in the first quarter on a third-and-eight from the 10-yard line when he bought time by scrambling out of the pocket and found veteran receiver Keenan Allen streaking into the corner of the end zone.  

Then, on the first play after the two-minute warning in the second quarter, a Raiders’ coverage bust led to Herbert finding Quentin Johnston for a 60-yard touchdown to put the Chargers up 17-6.

Smith briefly drove the Raiders on a two-minute drill afterwards before forcing a deep ball that Chargers safety Tony Jefferson picked off at the 1-yard line. The Raiders’ quarterback could have easily thrown a couple more interceptions with a series of ill-advised passes on the night.

Quarterbacks always shoulder an outsized share of the blame for a loss, but Smith was far from the Raiders’ only problem. They largely lost at the line of scrimmage where the offensive line to struggled to adjust without starting right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, who missed the game with a concussion.

Interior pressure against replacement starter Alex Cappa and center Jordan Meredith was a constant.

The defensive line wasn’t much better on the other side, even though defensive tackle Jonah Laulu managed a pair of sacks.

They didn’t supply consistent pressure, which gave Herbert time to survey and slice a young Raiders’ secondary. A week after a standout performance that included an interception, safety Isaiah Pola-Mao struggled with a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a late hit on Herbert right before the Chargers’ first touchdown and a couple follies in coverage.

The Raiders’ defense did force a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter that electrified a raucous crowd with visions on a comeback.

Those dreams all but officially vanished when Smith threw into double coverage in the end zone on a third-and-15 play from the 20-yard line. Much like his first interception, Chargers safety Derwin James got hands on the ball before teammate Donte Jackson finished the job with the catch.  

The pass was intended for Jakobi Meyers, who led the Raiders with 68 receiving yards on six catches. Las Vegas’ run game was largely inefficient for the second straight week as prized rookie Ashton Jeanty had 11 carries for 43 yards.

The full Smith experience has been on display through the first two weeks of his time in Las Vegas. The Raiders need to hope the version from the Patriots’ game returns when the team goes on the road to face the Washington Commanders next Sunday.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to lasvegassun.com for more coverage later.