The Las Vegas Raiders need to turn their season around. Las Vegas has struggled with QB Geno Smith, riding a four-game losing streak. The Raiders will be looking to snap that losing streak against the Titans on Sunday. But win or lose, they will remain confident in their starting quarterback.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero shot down the idea that Las Vegas is thinking about benching their quarterback.
“Let's start off by talking about Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, who has thrown eight interceptions during the team's four-game losing streak,” Pelissero said on Sunday via NFL GameDay Kickoff. “My understanding is that there's been no serious discussion about benching Geno in favor of backup Kenny Pickett.”
Smith has not played well to start the season. He has 1,176 passing yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions through five games.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll wants to see the rest of the team play better around Geno.
“Pete Carroll defended Geno this week,” Pelissero added. “Said we've got to run the ball better, we've got to support [Geno] better. The plan today against the Titans, and moving forward, is for Geno to be the starter.”
Perhaps the Raiders will find their way against the Titans.
Raiders will be without Brock Bowers against the Titans in Week 6
Unfortunately, Geno will be without his top weapon in Brock Bowers once again.
Pelissero noted that “it is unlikely that Bowers plays next week against the Chiefs either” as he recovers from his knee injury.
Bowers has only played in four games so far this season. And much like the rest of the team, he played incredibly well in Week 1 and has struggled since.
Bowers logged five receptions for 103 yards against the Patriots in Week 1. But he has failed to exceed 50 receiving yards in any game since then.
Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker stepped up in Bowers' absence in Week 5. He led the team with four receptions for 62 yards.
The Raiders may have to lean on Tucker, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, with Bowers out for Week 6.
Raiders vs. Titans kicks off at 4:05PM ET on Sunday.
