Raiders’ Geno Smith Gets Blunt Words Amid Kenny Pickett Calls
The Las Vegas Raiders fell just short in a 25-24 defeat to the Chicago Bears on September 28 at Allegiant Stadium, with a blocked field goal sealing the loss.
Geno Smith had a tough night, finishing 14 of 21 for 117 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Over the past three weeks, the veteran quarterback’s turnovers have been a persistent problem.
Smith has seven interceptions so far this season, and some fans have now called to put in former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. While head coach Pete Carroll doesn’t seem willing to bench Smith, sports media host Rich Eisen isn’t too sure about it.
“The interceptions are killers,” Eisen said on the September 29 edition of “The Rich Eisen Show.” “They’re just absolute killers. They’re killers because they’re drive killers. Or in the case of the Raiders, here you are starting the second half. Let’s go. First snap, he throws it right to the Bears, who couldn’t do anything with it.
“Pete loves the guy, and for good reason. He trusts him, and he was asked if he was considering changing quarterbacks… But we’re not [at Pickett taking over as the starter] because Pete’s not there. I’ll tell you what—another three-interception game at Indianapolis, where the fans are plugged into what that team is doing, and it just gets louder and louder. That’s a tough place to go and win when you’re turning it over. That ain’t it.”
Raiders QB Geno Smith Looks to Bounce Back
After the Raiders’ tough loss, Smith was candid about his own performance, openly criticizing his play against the Bears amid his poor form
“No. 1, take care of the ball, not throwing interceptions,“ Smith told the media after the loss. “That’s the simplest way I can put it to you. First
“I felt like I was feeling good about what I was seeing. The game plan was great. Guys fought their tails off. We deserve to get this win and I let those guys down. So, there’s a lot of things I’m going to have to fix within myself. That’s the reality.”
Should the Raiders Bench Geno Smith?
Even with another three-interception performance in the loss to the Bears, former Raiders linebacker Morrison doesn’t think the Silver and Black should bench Smith in favor of Pickett.
“Geno wants to do the right thing, and I get it, but sometimes the best play is getting to the next down, and that’s what he has to work on,
“I hate the hole that the Raiders are in at one and three, but there’s still some room for improvement. And I’ll tell you, Geno Smith is going to be the first guy to say, I have to be better because of what you mentioned. The running game was excellent. I thought a lot of guys did their part, and Geno Smith didn’t do his part.”
Dan Campbell Puts Lions on Notice Amid NFL’s Outburst in Blocked Field Goals
The Detroit Lions haven’t seen a field goal block impact one of their games this season. But Lions head coach Dan Campbell has certainly taken notice of the field goal and extra points blocked around the league.
On September 21 in Week 3, there were four blocked field goals, all of which happened in the fourth quarter. That was the most field goal blocks on a single day in the NFL since 1991.
There was another field goal blocked in Ireland during the Pittsburgh Steelers –Minnesota Vikings matchup. On Sunday Night Football, the Dallas Cowboys blocked an extra point.
Although it’s not his team giving up the blocked kicks, Campbell suggested Monday that seeing those attempts blocked gives him anxiety.
“I do [appreciate the block], but I hate watching [it]. I hate it,” Campbell said to reporters Monday while smiling. “Because I can put myself in the shoes of the field goal protection team.
“You can appreciate the guys who go for the blocks, but most of the time, it’s the protection — most of the time. Man, is it your own doing? But when I see them, I’m like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ To lose that way, that’s tough.”
The Los Angeles Rams had a chance to kick the game-winning field goal in the final seconds against the Philadelphia Eagles during Week 3. But the attempt was blocked, which sealed the win for Philadelphia.
On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers not only lost an extra point with a block, the Cowboys returned the try for a two-point conversion. That game ended in a 40-40 tie.
Campbell, though, sounds like a man on a mission not to allow blocked kicks be an issue for the Lions.
Dan Campbell Addresses the NFL’s Blocked Kick Pandemic
NFL coaches always try to find lessons to teach their players. Although a blocked field goal or extra point has yet to hurt the Lions, Campbell sees the rise in blocks as a warning of sorts.
“It’s a reminder to how important it is and how important special teams [are]. You battle your tail off for three hours and that one time you didn’t quite take that right step, or your pad level wasn’t good or you lunged or you didn’t and you’re too high. And the guy runs through and makes a block, then it’s all for not,”
“Then you go back and you say, ‘Man, if I just would have been lower. If I would have locked in on that play, if I really would have treated it like, man, everybody is watching, and we’re going to lose this game if I don’t block this guy.
“If you really treat that way, then it wouldn’t happen. We’re not going to let that happen here.”
Reluctantly, Campbell then shared with the media a time when he failed to get in front of
Campbell said there was a penalty on the play. That gave his team another opportunity at the try. But clearly, he learned his lesson.
NFL’s Rampant Field Goal Block Pace
Last season, there were 18 blocked field goals in the NFL. Through not even four weeks of the 2025 season, there have already been 12 blocks.
The 12 blocks in 2025 include both field goals and extra points. But still, blocked kicks have become a major issue for field goal teams.
Even if the current pace doesn’t continue, the league is going to see these blocks influence division races and playoff spots. Blocked field goals have already cost teams in the first month of this season.
But again, Campbell sounds determined not to let a field goal block hurt his team.
