LAS VEGAS, Nev.–The Las Vegas Raiders played well enough to beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday, but turnovers from Geno Smith essentially cost the Raiders the game. Las Vegas has now lost three consecutive games, rightfully bringing questions for John Spytek and Pete Carroll.
Head Coach Pete Carroll: “Those are huge plays in the first half, third down opportunities, third down conversions, and everything on both plays was the same thing, and then when we fell for it and screwed it up.
You can’t expect to turn the ball over like that and win. It doesn’t happen, but we overcame it because the defense was so spectacular in the first half making those stops. They were great, and it gave us a chance. The score could have been ridiculous after the first quarter, but it wasn’t, and so we learn.
“We grow, and we have to do better. I know Geno [Smith] is sick. The two plays that they pick on, the first two were just, he just didn’t see it, got fooled by the coverage. The other one on the cross route was a play we throw all the time, and we rip in there. I don’t know if the ball was behind the receiver or not, I couldn’t tell from my vantage point. The guy makes a heck of a play too, again, unfortunately.
The game comes all the way down to we had to stop them in the last drive, and we didn’t get it done, unfortunately, and we went right down to get field goal range, and the guy comes off the edge, and makes the block, made a great play there. Since field goals were invented, you’ve got to get the guy on the edge. We didn’t get him, so it’s tough. It’s tough to come in here twice for our fans and not come out of here with wins. We really set our sights on getting this thing jump started today, and we didn’t quite get that done. So, it’s still out there for us.”
Coach Carroll: “No. Nope. We’re not there.”
Coach Carroll: “Whether you win or lose, the facts remain, and he was incredible today. He has been every time he’s been on field for us since we’ve been here. I mean, every time, whether it’s preseason or not, that’s the guy that shows up. Just incredible plays, mid-play making, and he’s doing it clean.
