<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-review-allows-vegas-to-open-playbook-vs-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Geno Smith review allows Raiders to open playbook vs Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Geno-Smith-review-allows-Vegas-to-open-playbook-vs-Chargers.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Brian Fluharty</figcaption></figure><h1>Geno Smith review allows Raiders to open playbook vs Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T13:45:51-07:00">September 12th, 1:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T13:45:51-07:00">September 12th, 1:45pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.spiering.3" rel="facebook">Chris Spiering</a>Chris Spiering graduated from the University of San Diego with a Communication Studies Degree. He spent his final year as the Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris manages the betting team at ClutchPoints and contributes about the NFL, MLB, and NBA, but he follows most sports, including NCAA Basketball. Chris also covers San Diego State men's basketball for East Village Times.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders shocked a lot of people last Sunday when they handled the New England Patriots on the road. Geno Smith played very well and was one of the top quarterbacks of Week 1, throwing for the second-most passing yards behind only Josh Allen.</p><p>Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is a brilliant offensive mind and could be the OC that allows this Raiders offense to turn the page. They will be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-raiders-bold-predictions-week-2-2025-nfl-season">taking on a tough Chargers</a> defense on Monday night. Kelly believes that the offense <a href="https://x.com/ryanmcfadden_/status/1966587602980794679" rel="noopener">can do whatever they please</a>, led by Geno Smith.</p><p>“We can call whatever we want, and I think he’s going to find a way to execute, and make the right decision.”</p><p>Smith’s top pass catcher, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-not-practicing-knee-injury">Brock Bowers, is banged up</a> and did not practice on Thursday. The Raiders will have almost no shot at winning or being successful without Bowers on the field. The Bolts just played very well against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 and kept them out of the endzone for the majority of the contest. Patrick Mahomes ended up putting the team on his back and playing well, but the offense as a whole struggled against this Jesse Minter defense. This Week 2 battle won’t be easy for the Raiders.</p><p>The Raiders will need Bowers healthy and ready to go in order to execute an entire playbook. The play calling will be limited without him. Receiver Jakobi Meyers caught eight passes for 97 yards. He will be a big factor this weekend. Geno must continue to find his top receiver time and time again to keep the game close. Meyers is their top receiver and one of the best in the NFL.</p><p>Could this be the game that Ashton Jeanty breaks out? He only had 38 yards on 19 carries last week. It is expected that he will get 20+ carries, and this could be where we see him take his game to another level.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Geno Smith review allows Raiders to open playbook vs Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-pete-carroll-jokes-he-has-no-fond-memories-of-jim-harbaugh');   ga('set', 'title', 'Pete Carroll jokes he has ‘no fond memories’ of Jim Harbaugh');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Las-Vegas-Raiders-head-coach-Pete-Carroll.jpg"><figcaption>Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Pete Carroll jokes he has ‘no fond memories’ of Jim Harbaugh</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T16:10:44-07:00">September 11th, 4:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T16:10:44-07:00">September 11th, 4:10pm</time><address><a>Jake Faigus</a>Jake Faigus graduated from the University of Arizona in 2022 and has written for several publications and websites. He has had stops at Catena Media, Playmaker, DraftKings, USA Today, Spike Up, and Spotlight Sports Group. He also writes for Sporting News and works at iHeartMedia in Phoenix when he is not writing for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Las Vegas Raiders in an AFC West rivalry matchup. The matchup is also the latest between two coaches, Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, who have had a rivalry in the coaching ranks dating back to when both were coaching in college football. This is the latest chapter between the two after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-las-vegas-pete-carroll-next-head-coach" rel="noopener">the Raiders hired Pete Carroll</a>.</p><p>Pete Carroll joked at his latest press conference, <a href="https://x.com/alexinsdorf99/status/1966229628122812649" rel="noopener">saying he has no fond memories of facing Jim Harbaugh’s teams</a>. This added some extra fuel to the rivalry, but it is clear that there is a healthy respect between the two, even if it’s not always friendly.</p><p>“He’s seen my game, and so he’d like me to help him win,” Carroll said when asked about Harbaugh’s teammate comment. “One thing we would certainly see eye to eye on is competing. He’s always been a great competitor. He’s also battled through so much in his playing and coaching days. I appreciate him saying that, because I’d like to play with him, too.”</p><p>Then, the joking continued, with Pete Carroll responding to a reporter’s comment that Harbaugh said he doesn’t get Christmas Cards from Pete.</p><p>“I’m surprised he would say that because he sends me a birthday card every year,” Carroll responded.</p><p>In the rematch between the two coaches, both teams enter with a 1-0 record. However, the Chargers had a much more impressive win over the Kansas City Chiefs than the Raiders, who only won against the New England Patriots.</p><p>The Chargers are the better team on paper. Justin Herbert is coming into his position as quarterback, and they are coming off a playoff appearance.</p><p>The Raiders have a solid foundation with Carroll, but they have pieces that can cause issues for the Chargers, like rookie Ashton Jeanty and second-year tight end Brock Bowers, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-not-practicing-knee-injury" rel="noopener">who is questionable after he injured his knee</a>.</p><p>When you compare the head-to-head records between Harbaugh and Carroll, they are deadlocked at 6-6. However, the momentum has been on Carroll’s side recently, with him having a 5-1 record in their last six matchups.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Pete Carroll jokes he has ‘no fond memories’ of Jim Harbaugh

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-not-practicing-knee-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Brock Bowers not practicing amid knee injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Brock-Bowers_2a4a5b.jpg"><figcaption>Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Brock Bowers not practicing amid knee injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T15:15:20-07:00">September 11th, 3:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T15:15:20-07:00">September 11th, 3:15pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-injury-update-beating-patriots">Raiders have an injury status to keep tabs on</a> when it comes to star tight end Brock Bowers.</p><p>Bowers sustained a knee injury during the Raiders’ season-opening win over the New England Patriots on Sept. 7. He took a heavy hit to the knee late in the third quarter, ending his day with five catches for 103 yards.</p><p>Days after the game, Bowers has <a href="https://x.com/ryanmcfadden_/status/1966242320715755714" rel="noopener">been unable to take part</a> in all the team’s drills. On Thursday, he wasn’t practicing alongside linebacker Elandon Roberts, per reporter Ryan McFadden.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> TE Brock Bowers (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (elbow) are not practicing. They are observing the stretch period without a helmet.</p><p>Injury report will come out later this afternoon. <a href="https://t.co/r8LgxbABTF">pic.twitter.com/r8LgxbABTF</a></p><p>— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanmcfadden_/status/1966242320715755714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>What lies ahead for Brock Bowers, Raiders</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Brock-Bowers-2.jpg"><figcaption>Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It will be crucial for the Raiders to manage the health of their young offensive star in Brock Bowers. He presents himself as one of the most dangerous tight ends in the league as a sophomore, being able to catch the ball at a high level.</p><p>Head coach Pete Carroll <a href="https://x.com/theleviedwards/status/1966220388532445361" rel="noopener">provided injury updates</a> on both Bowers and Elandon Roberts. He said the team is still monitoring their progress in recovering from their respective injuries but shared an optimistic outlook that both provided to him.</p><p>“Pete Carroll on Brock Bowers, Elandon Roberts injury status: “They don’t think they can’t play.” Said he still has to monitor them throughout the week of practice,” reporter Levi Edwards wrote.</p><p>There is still time for Bowers and Roberts to get back on the field before their Week 2 matchup. They have the Friday, Saturday and Sunday practice sessions to look forward to as they can provide significant impacts on the field with their skillsets.</p><p>The Raiders will prepare for their next matchup, being at home. They host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Brock Bowers not practicing amid knee injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-raiders-bold-predictions-week-2-2025-nfl-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chargers vs. Raiders bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Chargers-QB-Justin-Herbert-with-WR-Keenan-Allen.jpg"><figcaption>© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chargers vs. Raiders bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T16:28:35-07:00">September 10th, 4:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T17:11:37-07:00">September 10th, 5:11pm</time><address><a>Kendall Capps</a>Kendall Capps is a multi-media journalist and editor who is overly passionate about all sports (to his wife's dismay). He's a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints who previously managed SB Nation's golf vertical. He has also done work for FantasyPros and co-hosted the Lay The Points podcast as part of a decade-long career in sports entertainment.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season flying high. They finally slew the dragon that is the perennial AFC West champion, the Kansas City Chiefs. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had been 1-7 against Patrick Mahomes, despite being in nearly every game. Now Herbert and the Chargers will square off against another divisional foe, the 1-0 Las Vegas Raiders.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smiths-confident-message-after-historic-las-vegas-debut">Raiders are also coming off an impressive victory</a>, defeating the New England Patriots on the road, 20-13. In the win, Geno Smith had himself a day, tossing for 362 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots were everyone’s darling for massive improvement in 2025. So, the win was a big step forward for new head coach Pete Carroll.</p><p>Now, AFC West rivals square off with first place on the line.</p><p>So, let’s get to our Chargers vs. Raiders bold predictions for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season.</p><h2><b>Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty held under 70 yards rushing</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-RB-Ashton-Jeanty-vs-Patriots.jpg"><figcaption>© Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Raiders used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State. Jeanty is<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45501823/raiders-praise-coachable-ashton-jeanty-minicamp" rel="noopener"> supposed to be a generational talent</a> at tailback, having smashed records last season.</p><p>But during Las Vegas’ season-opener, he was in check by the Patriots’ rush defense. He ran for just 38 yards on 19 carries, for a two-yard-per-carry average. Now, the Raiders have the job of trying to open holes against arguably an even better defensive line.</p><p>The Chargers held the Chiefs to 98 yards rushing in Week 1. But 57 of those came from the legs of Mahomes, who turned the clock back a bit. But that game script, in what was a close game throughout, allowed for the Chiefs to try and keep running the football.</p><p>This week, Herbert and the Chargers offense should move the football. They will put points on the board and force Geno to have to match them.</p><p>I look for Jeanty to rush for less than 70 yards without a touchdown.</p><h2><b>Keenan Allen leads the Chargers in receiving yards </b></h2><p>Speaking of the Chargers’ offense, Keenan Allen showed he still has some left in the tank last week. He caught seven of 10 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.</p><p>Despite Ladd McConkey being the top receiver for the Bolts, Herbert was happy to spread the ball around. Quinton Johnston had a huge game, with over 70 yards and two touchdowns.</p><p>McConkey was no slouch. He turned nine targets into six catches for 74 yards. But anyone who used an early-round fantasy football pick on him must be worried.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-keenan-allen-message-fans-chiefs-win">Herbert and Allen appeared to show the same chemistry</a> they put on display for four years. From 2020 through the 2023 season, Allen caught 100, 106, 66 (injury-shortened), and 108 passes from Herbert. There is little reason to expect that Allen will not be a primary target for Los Angeles’ signal caller going forward.</p><p>With the Raiders’ secondary likely to clue in on McConkey, Allen should produce yet again.</p><h2><b>Chargers defeat the Raiders, claim first place</b></h2><p>This should be a close game throughout. The Raiders’ offense looks revitalized with Geno Smith under center. Jakoby Meyers is emerging as one of the better receivers in the league. But All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers is questionable to play with a knee injury.</p><p>He sustained the injury during the second half of Sunday’s win, left the game, and did not return. Thus far, Raiders head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-injury-evasive-reaction-pete-carroll">Pete Carroll has been evasive toward Bowers’ status</a>.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Chargers are healthy on both sides of the ball.</p><p>Jim Harbaugh will likely run the football much better than we saw vs. a stout Kansas City front. That will open things up on play action for Herbert to exploit a subpar Raiders secondary.</p><p>The Chargers will improve to 2-0 with a 30-20 victory.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chargers vs. Raiders bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-news-why-execs-think-omarion-hampton-oroy-ashton-jeanty');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why NFL execs think Omarion Hampton will win OROY over Ashton Jeanty');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Omarion-Hampton-with-LA-Chargers-1.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Why NFL execs think Omarion Hampton will win OROY over Ashton Jeanty</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T08:22:50-07:00">September 10th, 8:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T08:22:50-07:00">September 10th, 8:22am</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a>Matt Wadleigh is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints who used to lead NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball coverage while also specializing in MLB and NFL coverage. He was born and raised in Oceanside and resides in Fresno with his wife and two dogs. Matthew is a huge Southern California sports fan and a retired member of the Fresno State drumline.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Chargers selected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Hampton was the second RB taken, with Boise State superstar and Heisman Trophy runner-up <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-ashton-jeanty-2025-nfl-draft">Ashton Jeanty going to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6</a> overall.</p><p>Entering the season, both Hampton and Jeanty were expected to be workhorses for their respective teams, and Hampton emerged as the RB1 after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-najee-harris-gives-superficial-revelation-on-eye-injury">Najee Harris dealt with a “superficial” eye injury</a> after a July 4 fireworks incident.</p><p>Jeanty was also pegged as an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, although others suggest that Hampton could be in the mix when it’s all said and done.</p><p>In a recent prediction piece by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it seems <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46208174/nfl-executives-pick-award-winners-2025-predicting-mvp-top-rookies-player-year-honors-comeback-stars-breakouts" rel="noopener">NFL executives also feel strongly</a> about Hampton winning the award as they predicted him to win the honor.</p><p>“He’s on a team that’s had playoff success and is going to run the football,” an AFC scout said. “He’s a perfect back for that offense. Ashton Jeanty is a good player, but I’m not sure the Raiders will be good enough.”</p><p>Fowler also added some more intel that he had received from the executives regarding the prediction.</p><p>“But Hampton has a few things going for him. His offensive coordinator is Greg Roman, whose love for the run game runs deep. Najee Harris sat out all of camp because of an eye issue, and though he’s back, Hampton is well-positioned as a primary back, resulting in 17 touches for 61 yards in his Week 1 debut vs. Kansas City,” Fowler wrote.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-omarion-hampton-big-praise-khalil-mack">Hampton also earned praise from Chargers teammate Khalil Mack</a>, and the Pro Bowl linebacker has played with his fair share of talented players during his career.</p><p>In the Chargers’ Week 1 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Hampton had 15 carries for 48 yards and caught a pair of passes as he led the backfield in every category.</p><p>For Jeanty, he had 19 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders win over the New England Patriots.</p><p>As far as the OROY debate goes, there are other potential candidates, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren, but there is a likely path to the two AFC West rookie running backs battling it out for the award by season’s end.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why NFL execs think Omarion Hampton will win OROY over Ashton Jeanty

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-pete-carroll-drops-curious-ashton-jeanty-debut-take');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Pete Carroll drops curious Ashton Jeanty debut take');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ashton-Jeanty-is-the-key-to-the-Raiders-running-attack.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Pete Carroll drops curious Ashton Jeanty debut take</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T13:57:56-07:00">September 9th, 1:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T14:16:01-07:00">September 9th, 2:16pm</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Several players made their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smiths-confident-message-after-historic-las-vegas-debut">debuts for the Las Vegas Raiders</a> in the 20-13 win over the New England Patriots last Sunday afternoon, but one that could be deemed disappointing was rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. While<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-ashton-jeanty-break-tackles-1st-career-touchdown"> Jeanty would score a touchdown for the Raiders in the debut</a>, he had a relatively invisible game as head coach Pete Carroll had predicted for Week 2.</p><p>In total, Jeanty would carry the football 19 times for 38 yards, averaging two yards per attempt, to go along with the aforementioned touchdown. Carroll would say that the reason for the pedestrian outing was because Jeanty was too eager to make his debut, and that for the next game, he will <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pete-carroll-says-ashton-jeanty-was-too-hyped-for-his-debut-hell-play-way-better" rel="noopener">“play way better,”</a> where he will “see things more clearly,” according to NBC Sports.</p><p>“Ashton [Jeanty] was hyped,” Carroll said. “He was jacked up, and he would tell you, I think, that he wishes he had been a little more patient on some reads and things like that. That will come. He didn’t look like that in preseason. This game, being out there, being called on to play and carry the ball 19 times, it was a little bit different for him. He’ll play way better, he’ll see things more clearly. I know he was a little frustrated by that.”</p><p>There’s no denying the talent that Jeanty has coming out of Boise State, being a Heisman finalist and drafted with the sixth overall pick in the last NFL Draft.</p><h2><b>Besides Ashton Jeanty, there was another player debuting for the Raiders</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-quarterback-Geno-Smith.jpg"><figcaption>© Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Another player who made their mark Sunday was the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-franchise-record-debut-win-patriots">historic debut of Raiders quarterback Geno Smith,</a> following the same path as Carroll, coming from the Seattle Seahawks. He would throw the ball for 362 yards, a franchise record for a debut, to go along with a touchdown pass and an interception as he completed 24 of his 34 pass attempts.</p><p>His outing garnered the reaction of Carroll, who called Smith’s performance a <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/pete-carroll-geno-smith-new-erngland-patriots-las-vegas-brock-bowers?utm_source=gol" rel="noopener">“regular game”</a> against the Patriots.</p><p>“For him to complete over 70 percent of his passes again, I mean, he’s been doing this. Geno had a regular game today. I don’t think it was a big statement game or anything like that. I just think it’s just what he does. And we’ll do better than that,” Carroll said, via Sports Illustrated.</p><p>“We got rushed a little bit today, a couple of times, and that really kind of changed his opportunities to have even a bigger day,” Carroll continued. “But the fact that we had so many big plays — somebody said we had nine plays over 20, like tied the record or something like that. I can’t believe that now. I can’t believe with all the guys we’ve had in the years here at the Raiders, we’d have more than that. But it was still a big day for us, and he did a great job.”</p><p>Las Vegas looks for both Jeanty and Smith to bring their A-game as Week 2 has the team facing the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Pete Carroll drops curious Ashton Jeanty debut take

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smiths-confident-message-after-historic-las-vegas-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Geno Smith’s confident message after historic Raiders debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-quarterback-Geno-Smith.jpg"><figcaption>© Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Geno Smith’s confident message after historic Raiders debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T00:28:40-07:00">September 9th, 12:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T00:28:40-07:00">September 9th, 12:28am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After finishing 4-13 in 2024, it was clear that the Las Vegas Raiders needed a breath of fresh air. The quarterback job for the team was up in the air all season long; thus, they needed to rectify that if they were to contend in 2025. They did just that this offseason, trading for veteran QB Geno Smith and then promptly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-gets-2-year-contract-extension-trade">signing him to a two-year, $85.5 million contract extension</a> — settling the quarterback position at last after much turbulence.</p><p>And Smith, on the very first week of the 2025 NFL regular season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-franchise-record-debut-win-patriots">delivered for the Raiders</a>. He was at his best, completing 24 of his 34 passes for a total of 364 yards — a franchise record — to go with one touchdown (against one interception). While there is room for Smith to improve, he certainly made his mark for the Raiders, leading them to a 20-13 win over the New England Patriots.</p><p>There was certainly risk on the Raiders’ end when they committed those resources to making Smith their undisputed franchise quarterback. But amid all the noise and comparisons, Smith <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-qb-geno-smith-franchise-debut-record-win-over-patriots" rel="noopener">only has one thing</a> in mind.</p><p>“I’m me. That’s all I think about. I don’t think about anything else; I’m me. I know who I am, I know what I can do,” Smith said following the Raiders’ win on Sunday, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.</p><p>If Smith can record an average of 15-plus yards with every completed pass, then he can certainly talk with an air of confidence — which is exactly what he’s doing. The Raiders have been starved of quality quarterback play over the past few years, throwing whatever at the wall and hoping it sticks. Smith arrived to give Las Vegas some stability, and it paid off in the form of a season-opening win.</p><h2><b>Geno Smith, Raiders start the season confidently</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-quarterback-Geno-Smith-reacts-after-the-game-at-Gillette-Stadium.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While the Patriots aren’t exactly the powerhouse of yore, the Raiders can feel confident about starting the season off with a victory. For a team that lost 10 straight games last year at one point, they will take any win they can get.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-what-tom-brady-texted-geno-smith-beating-patriots">Smith is locked in</a>, and he definitely has unwavering belief in his own abilities. Nonetheless, his goal is to always make the right play for the Raiders, establishing a high standard of play in preparation for their Week 2 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers at home.</p><p>“We want to make sure that we make the right reads. I want to make sure that I’m making the right decisions and getting the ball into the hands of the playmakers,” Smith added.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Geno Smith’s confident message after historic Raiders debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-injury-evasive-reaction-pete-carroll');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Brock Bowers injury gets evasive reaction from Pete Carroll');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-tight-end-Brock-Bowers-vs-Patriots.jpg"><figcaption>© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Brock Bowers injury gets evasive reaction from Pete Carroll</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T13:47:52-07:00">September 8th, 1:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T13:47:52-07:00">September 8th, 1:47pm</time><address><a>Kendall Capps</a>Kendall Capps is a multi-media journalist and editor who is overly passionate about all sports (to his wife's dismay). He's a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints who previously managed SB Nation's golf vertical. He has also done work for FantasyPros and co-hosted the Lay The Points podcast as part of a decade-long career in sports entertainment.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders looked sharp on Sunday, defeating the New England Patriots on the road, 20-13. Newly acquired quarterback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-franchise-record-debut-win-patriots" rel="noopener">Geno Smith had a great debut in the Silver and Black</a>, completing 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards with one touchdown and one interception. But not everything was rosy during the Week 1 win.</p><p>All-Pro tight end <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-questionable-return-patriots-knee-injury">Brock Bowers suffered a knee injury</a> that caused him to leave the game early.</p><p>While speaking with the media on Monday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was asked for an update on Bowers’ status. The Super Bowl-winning coach <a href="https://x.com/theleviedwards/status/1965116079430349167" rel="noopener">elected not to give much information</a>.</p><p>Instead, he elected to provide an interesting quote, according to Raiders reporter Levi Edwards.</p><p>“Really, we are just going day-to-day,” Carroll said.</p><p>“Those guys are tough guys, now. They’re not going to take the easy way out on this one; they’re all going to push to get right,” the head coach said, referencing Bowers and linebacker Elandon Roberts.</p><p>Roberts also left Sunday’s win early, dealing with an elbow injury. But everyone is interested in the status of Bowers, including the Raiders’ Week 2 opponents, the Los Angeles Chargers.</p><p>Las Vegas will have an extra day to get rest before its AFC West matchup. They will host the Chargers on Monday Night Football next week.</p><p>“I know the Chargers have that going even more so with the break they have,” Carroll said. “But this will really help us and give us a chance.” Indeed, the Chargers played Friday, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-21.</p><p>The Raiders tight end once again showed out against the Patriots. Bowers caught five of eight targets for 103 yards before leaving in the second half.</p><p>Carroll has built a reputation for not being very forthcoming with injury updates. It is just one day after the Pro Bowl tight end suffered the injury. But to reference the extra day allowing him ‘a chance’ to get right ought to raise eyebrows.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Brock Bowers injury gets evasive reaction from Pete Carroll

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-what-tom-brady-texted-geno-smith-beating-patriots');   ga('set', 'title', 'What Tom Brady texted Las Vegas Raiders’ Geno Smith after beating Patriots');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-quarterback-Geno-Smith-reacts-after-the-game-at-Gillette-Stadium.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>What Tom Brady texted Las Vegas Raiders’ Geno Smith after beating Patriots</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T07:22:02-07:00">September 8th, 7:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T08:05:31-07:00">September 9th, 8:05am</time><address><a>Yago Antunes</a>Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments, building a strong background in sports journalism and digital media while displaying his passion about storytelling and sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback wasted no time making history in silver and black. In his Raiders debut, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-franchise-record-debut-win-patriots">Geno Smith threw for 362 yards on 24-of-34 passing</a> with one touchdown and one interception, setting a new franchise record for most passing yards in a debut. The mark surpassed Dan Pastorini’s 317 yards in 1980.</p><p>Smith’s performance powered Las Vegas to a 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots, giving Pete Carroll his first win as the Raiders’ head coach. Carroll, who also became the oldest head coach in NFL history at 73 years and 357 days, downplayed the milestone afterward, saying via team reporter Levi Edwards that Geno ”had a regular game today… It’s just what he does.”</p><p>The win also drew a reaction from Tom Brady, now part of the Las Vegas Raiders’ ownership group. Smith revealed postgame that Brady texted him a <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/week-1-nfl-takeaways-bills-comeback-packers-parsons#_liodfn2ti" rel="noopener">short but meaningful message</a>.</p><p>“Good game. Get ready for the next one.”</p><p>For Smith, it was a reminder that while the debut was memorable, the focus remains on building consistency, celebrating progress, but staying grounded in the work ahead.</p><p>Inside the locker room, the celebrations reflected that balance. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-pete-carroll-geno-smith-celebrate-first-win">Pete Carroll praised his players for their effort</a>, calling the result a ”beautiful job,” while Smith presented his coach with the game ball to mark his first Raiders win. The defense contributed as well, sacking Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye four times thanks to Maxx Crosby, Tyree Wilson, Jonah Laulu, and Malcolm Koonce.</p><p>For a franchise that has struggled to find stability, Sunday’s win offered more than just optimism. With Caroll bringing energy from the sidelines and Smith delivering through the air, the Raiders showed signs that this season could be different. And if Brady’s message meant anything, it’s that the Las Vegas Raiders must keep pushing for a dream they haven’t reached since Super Bowl XVIII in 1983.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

What Tom Brady texted Las Vegas Raiders’ Geno Smith after beating Patriots

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-pete-carroll-geno-smith-celebrate-first-win');   ga('set', 'title', 'Pete Carroll, Geno Smith celebrate first win with Raiders');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Pete-Carroll-shaking-hands-with-Mike-Vrabel-.jpg"><figcaption>Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Pete Carroll, Geno Smith celebrate first win with Raiders</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T17:46:55-07:00">September 7th, 5:46pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T17:46:55-07:00">September 7th, 5:46pm</time><address><a>Lorenzo J Reyna</a>Lorenzo J Reyna is an Associate Editor covering the NFL and NCAA Football for ClutchPoints. He's equipped with past experience for both realms through his recent stops at Pro Football Network and Heavy while also writing for 247Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders showed a jubilant side on Sunday for the seventh time since 2015. But Pete Carroll and Geno Smith this time led the Week 1 win. Collaborating to prevail against a feisty New England Patriots team.</p><p>The franchise improved to 7-3 in their last 10 season openers. Only now the new head coach and quarterback tasted their first victory in the silver and black.</p><p>Carroll didn’t hesitate to show his exuberant side <a href="https://x.com/Raiders/status/1964818461412004210" rel="noopener">inside the locker room</a>. Calling it a “beautiful job” in getting the 20-13 win.</p><p>“This is why we work so freakin’ hard,” Carroll told his players.</p><p>Smith, meanwhile, handed Carroll the game ball for getting his first win with the franchise. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-franchise-record-debut-win-patriots">The new QB shattered a Raiders record too</a>. Smith shredded the Pats with 362 yards in his debut — now the best mark for a Raiders QB making his debut. It broke the previous mark held by Dan Pastorini in 1980, as he hit 317 yards.</p><h2><b>How Pete Carroll, Geno Smith led efficient Raiders over Patriots </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Geno-Smith-leading-the-offense-.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Carroll pivoted to an old school style to win against one of his former teams. He coached the Patriots from 1997 to 1999 — before Bill Belichick created the Pats’ dynasty with Tom Brady.</p><p>The defensive minded head coach unleashed a unit that sacked Drake Maye four times. Maxx Crosby earned one of the sacks. Meanwhile a new and improved Tyree Wilson tussled down Maye once too. Jonah Laulu and Malcolm Koonce grabbed one sack each.</p><p>The pass rush then forced this errant Maye throw. Ultimately falling into the hands of Isaiah Pola-Mao.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Picked off by Pola-Mao 😏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LVvsMIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LVvsMIN</a> | 📺 CBS <a href="https://t.co/6ixtvchG6L">pic.twitter.com/6ixtvchG6L</a></p><p>— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1964763593708355755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Raiders additionally tallied six tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Devin White helped win the trench battle for the Raiders with his first TFL as a Raider.</p><p>Sunday presented the highly-anticipated debut of Ashton Jeanty in the backfield. However New England held him to only 19 carries for 38 yards. Still, Carroll’s first Raiders defense dominated the line of scrimmage. New England averaged only 3.3 yards per carry on the ground.</p><p>The Pats struggled containing Brock Bowers, though. Last season’s breakout rookie caught five passes for 103 yards to lead Vegas in the latter stat. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-jakobi-meyers-happy-place-admission-failed-trade-request">Jakobi Meyers led the way on the receptions end,</a> hauling in eight for 97 yards.</p><p>Carroll is now 12-7 overall in season opening wins.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Pete Carroll, Geno Smith celebrate first win with Raiders

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-jakobi-meyers-happy-place-admission-failed-trade-request');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers makes ‘happy place’ admission after failed trade request');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jakobi-Meyers.jpg"><figcaption>Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers makes ‘happy place’ admission after failed trade request</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T15:52:07-07:00">September 7th, 3:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T15:52:07-07:00">September 7th, 3:52pm</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In search of a long-term contract resolution, wide receiver <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-jakobi-meyers-requesting-trade-las-vegas">Jakobi Meyers requested a trade</a> from the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the offseason. But with his request not being granted, Meyers is poised to command a major role in Las Vegas’ offense throughout the 2025 campaign.</p><p>That was certainly true in Week 1. Meyers led the team with eight receptions, gaining 97 yards in the Raiders’ 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots. While celebrating the win, it seemed <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-jakobi-meyers-reaction-failed-trade-request">as if the trade request was never made in the first place</a>.</p><p>Of course, a close victory heals some wounds. But for Meyers, the wide receiver <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1964803345316762063" rel="noopener">admits he has found</a> his, “happy place,” via Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.</p><p>“I just like being on the field with my guys. That’s really my happy place,” Meyers said. “Whenever I’m on the field I’m going to perform to the best of my abilities. It was just fun being with the guys. I love my boys, it was a great game with them today.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“I just like being on the field with my guys, man. That’s really my happy place.”</p><p>My <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nflnetwork</a> 1-on-1 with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> WR Jakobi Meyers, who hasn’t gotten the contract or trade he wants, but played a key role in beating his old team today. <a href="https://t.co/m9wkWJ8xRF">pic.twitter.com/m9wkWJ8xRF</a></p><p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1964803345316762063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>In the same postgame interview, Meyers had nothing but effusive praise for Geno Smith. The quarterback made the most of his Raiders debut, completing 24-of-34 passes for 362 yards, a touchdown and an interception. While there are clearly things to work on, Meyers see the vision when it comes to Smith.</p><p>That’ll need to be the case throughout the entire 2025 season. Tight end Brock Bowers will continue to be the top pass catcher, as evident by his team-leading 103 yards in Week 1. But when Smith looks downfield to pass, Meyers will continue to be one of his most crucial targets.</p><p>It’ll take more than just one win to fully rebuild the relationship between the Raiders and Meyers. But at least player and team can stay they started the regular season out on the right foot.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers makes ‘happy place’ admission after failed trade request

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-will-campbell-earns-praise-maxx-crosby-after-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots’ Will Campbell earns encouraging Maxx Crosby endorsement after tough debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Will-Campbell-signs-autographs-after-training-camp-at-Gillette-Stadium.jpg"><figcaption>Eric Canha-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots’ Will Campbell earns encouraging Maxx Crosby endorsement after tough debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T14:56:56-07:00">September 7th, 2:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T14:56:56-07:00">September 7th, 2:56pm</time><address><a>Yago Antunes</a>Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments, building a strong background in sports journalism and digital media while displaying his passion about storytelling and sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New England Patriots opened their season at home against the Las Vegas Raiders, and it played out almost exactly as predicted. The expectation was for a hard-fought, defensive game with both quarterbacks flashing potential but not many offensive fireworks. That part held.</p><p>However, while the bold call was that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-patriots-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Las Vegas Raiders would pull out a 24-20</a> win, the actual final score was 20-13 in favor of the Raiders. The Carroll era in Vegas began with a win, while New England showed flashes but remains firmly in rebuilding mode.</p><p>One of the storylines from Sunday’s game was the debut of rookie offensive lineman Will Campbell. The Patriots’ fourth-draft pick endured some rough moments, drawing two false start penalties and allowing pressure that led to a Drake Maye fumble. Despite that rocky outing, Campbell earned respect from one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers.</p><p>Raiders star Maxx Crosby, speaking after the game in comments relayed by Zack Cox of the Boston Herald on X, formerly Twitter, <a href="https://x.com/zm_cox/status/1964796229042553286" rel="noopener">praised the rookie’s potential</a>:</p><p>”He’s a top pick. He’s a young, talented dude. He’s got a bright future, man, and he’s in great hands with Coach McDaniels. Coach McDaniels knows what he’s doing… I think there’s a reason why they drafted him there. He’s got a bright future, for sure.”</p><p>For a Patriots offense that leaned heavily on Maye’s composure, hearing such words from Crosby was significant. Campbell may not have been perfect, but the belief is there that he can grow into the cornerstone New England hoped for when they drafted him.</p><p>The organization is also placing a lot of responsibility on the quarterback room. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels recently explained that he holds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-why-josh-mcdaniels-high-expectations-drake-maye-led-qb-room">”high expectations” for Drake Maye</a> and his group, confident that their preparation and effort will eventually translate into results. Head coach Mike Vrabel echoed that confidence, noting Maye’s ability to handle complex defensive looks in preseason practices.</p><p>The Patriots may not be contenders yet, but the building blocks are being laid, and Campbell earning praise from Crosby is an early sign that New England’s young core is trending in the right direction.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots’ Will Campbell earns encouraging Maxx Crosby endorsement after tough debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-franchise-record-debut-win-patriots');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders quarterback Geno Smith sets franchise record in debut win vs. Patriots');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/777272305-geno-smith-raiders.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders quarterback Geno Smith sets franchise record in debut win vs. Patriots</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T14:08:48-07:00">September 7th, 2:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T14:08:48-07:00">September 7th, 2:08pm</time><address><a>Yago Antunes</a>Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments, building a strong background in sports journalism and digital media while displaying his passion about storytelling and sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2025 NFL season with more intrigue than at any point in recent memory. After a busy offseason that included <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-las-vegas-pete-carroll-next-head-coach">hiring Pete Caroll</a>, trading for quarterback Geno Smith, and adding potential breakout star Ashton Jeanty, expectations are climbing. The roster has improved, but questions still linger about the secondary and consistency from the receiving corps outside of Brock Bowers.</p><p>The real question is whether this rebuilt group can turn the page from 2024’s frustrations and actually compete for the playoffs.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/rachelgossen/status/1964784012553289756" rel="noopener">That optimism grew Sunday when he made history</a> in his Raiders debut. The veteran quarterback completed 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 20-13 win over the New England Patriots. Smith’s 362 yards set a new franchise record for most passing yards in a Raiders debut, breaking the mark Dan Pastorini set back in 1980 with 317 yards. The stat was highlighted by Rachel Gossen, managing editor for the Las Vegas Raiders, who posted the milestone on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>After the game, head coach Pete Caroll <a href="https://x.com/theleviedwards/status/1964788129526845476" rel="noopener">downplayed the historic performance</a>, saying via team reporter Levi Edwards:</p><p>”Geno had a regular game today. I don’t think it was a big statement game or anything like that. I just think it was what he does.”</p><p>Still, it was an encouraging opening statement for both Smith and Carroll in their new partnership.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-nfl-record-pete-carroll-will-set-week-1">Carroll also made NFL history of his own</a>. On Sunday, he became the oldest head coach in league history at 73 years and 357 days, surpassing legends like Romeo Crennel, George Halas, and Bill Belichick. Despite the number, Carroll continues to bring trademark energy to the sidelines, a stark contrast to his age on paper. He will turn 74 in Week 2, extending the record further.</p><p>For the quarterback, the performance fits the prediction many have made: that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/3-raiders-bold-predictions-for-2025-nfl-season">Geno Smith is poised for the best season of his career</a>. Surrounded by young talent and reuniting with Carroll, the stage is set for a potential playoff push in Vegas. And if Week 1’s win over New England is any indication, this new era of Raiders football could be more than just hype.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith sets franchise record in debut win vs. Patriots

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-injury-update-beating-patriots');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Brock Bowers gives injury update immediately after beating Patriots');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Las-Vegas-Raiders-TE-Brock-Bowers.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Brock Bowers gives injury update immediately after beating Patriots</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T14:07:01-07:00">September 7th, 2:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T14:07:01-07:00">September 7th, 2:07pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders beat the New England Patriots 20-13 in Foxboro in Week 1. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-ashton-jeanty-break-tackles-1st-career-touchdown">Ashton Jeanty scored his first career touchdown</a>, and the Vegas defense scrambled Drake Maye to secure the win. But late in the game, a key Geno Smith target left with a knee injury. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers left the game with an injury, but told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1964788699146924206" rel="noopener">there is no reason to worry.</a></p><p>“Just talked to Raiders TE Brock Bowers and he says he’s fine. Took a little hit on the knee, came out to get checked out. No concerns moving forward,” Pelissero reported.</p><p>Bowers had an electric start to his second NFL season, hauling in five catches for 103 yards. While he did not get in the end zone, he showed the same dominance that nearly earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last year. But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/other-sports/raiders-news-brock-bowers-questionable-return-patriots-knee-injury">Bowers left the game early in the fourth quarter with a knee injury</a>, causing concern.</p><p>The Raiders were able to secure the win without Bowers down the stretch. But if they did not have him going into Week 2, it would change their entire offensive strategy. Thankfully for Geno Smith and crew they do not have to worry about that.</p><p>The Raiders are one of two AFC West teams to win in Week 1 so far, with the Los Angeles Chargers beating the Kansas City Chiefs. The Denver Broncos play the Tennessee Titans in the late afternoon window. Now, the Bolts come to Vegas for a Monday Night Football matchup that should heavily involve Bowers. Travis Kelce was able to score a touchdown against LA’s defense, and Bowers will look for his first in the same matchup.</p><p>The Raiders can take a lot of positives away from Pete Carroll’s first game as the head coach. Now, they can take a positive away from the injury report as well.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Brock Bowers gives injury update immediately after beating Patriots

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-questionable-return-patriots-knee-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Brock Bowers questionable to return vs. Patriots with knee injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Brock-Bowers.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Brock Bowers questionable to return vs. Patriots with knee injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T12:48:36-07:00">September 7th, 12:48pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T14:13:35-07:00">September 7th, 2:13pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Second-year tight end <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-brock-bowers-predicted-to-break-travis-kelce-record-in-near-future">Brock Bowers was having a strong outing</a> in the Las Vegas Raiders’ season opener against the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, he was forced to leave early and is questionable to return due to an injury.</p><p>Reports indicate that Bowers, who is 22 years old, <a href="https://x.com/HondoCarpenter/status/1964774218031342079" rel="noopener">suffered a knee injury</a> on Sunday, according to Hondo Carpenter of Sports Illustrated. It’s unclear when or if Brock Bowers will return. But the Raiders will likely monitor the situation closely.</p><p>“Brock Bowers’ return for the Raiders is questionable with his knee.”</p><p>Before being ruled questionable, Bowers was spotted <a href="https://x.com/ryanmcfadden_/status/1964773530329026900" rel="noopener">heading to the blue medical tent</a> for further evaluation, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. He was jogging back and forth on the sideline at first. However, his knee likely didn’t feel comfortable while jogging, which is what potentially led Brock Bowers to head to the locker room.</p><p>“Raiders TE Brock Bowers was briefly in the medical tent. He is now out with his helmet on, talking to trainers and jogging back and forth.”</p><p>Before sustaining the injury, Bowers had accumulated 103 receiving yards off five receptions. He, alongside Jakobi Meyers, has been the top two pass options for quarterback Geno Smith in the Week 1 matchup against the Patriots.</p><p>Hopefully, it’s not too serious and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-brock-bowers-early-catch-of-year-candidate">Brock Bowers can return</a> to action sooner, rather than later. Especially considering he’s viewed as the Raiders’ No. 1 target in the passing game. With Bowers missing some time in Week 1, and potentially beyond, Las Vegas will have to rely on former second-round pick Michael Mayer at tight end.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Brock Bowers questionable to return vs. Patriots with knee injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-ashton-jeanty-break-tackles-1st-career-touchdown');   ga('set', 'title', 'Watch Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty break tackles for 1st career touchdown');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ashton-Jeanty-with-LV-Raiders-1.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Watch Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty break tackles for 1st career touchdown</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T12:10:53-07:00">September 7th, 12:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T12:22:20-07:00">September 7th, 12:22pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders are opening their season on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday. They <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-nfl-record-pete-carroll-will-set-week-1">debuted a lot of new pieces, including head coach Pete Carroll</a> and quarterback Geno Smith. Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty made his NFL debut and <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1964764978671735051" rel="noopener">broke plenty of tackles</a> on his way to his first touchdown.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ashton Jeanty is in for his 1st career TD!</p><p>LVvsNE on CBS/Paramount+<a href="https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt">https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/3I1Un9GRb7">pic.twitter.com/3I1Un9GRb7</a></p><p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1964764978671735051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Raiders drove down the field after their defense picked off Drake Maye to start the second half. Jeanty got one other carry on the drive and punched it in to give Vegas a 14-10 lead. After an electric season at Boise State, Jeanty has made his mark on the NFL.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-las-vegas-gm-explains-decision-draft-ashton-jeanty">Raiders added Jeanty to their young core of offensive weapons</a>, which is led by Brock Bowers. Michael Mayer got in on the touchdown drive as well, and Jakobi Myers had a solid first half. With those four dynamic players to use, Geno Smith should continue his career resurgence in Vegas.</p><p>The Raiders hit the road to play second-year quarterback Drake Maye and his new head coach, Mike Vrabel. There was excitement around both of these franchises coming into the season for similar reasons. With a rookie running back, a proven head coach, and something to bank on at quarterback, these teams could be in contention for the final AFC Wild Card spot.</p><p>The Raiders look to finish off the win in Foxboro and move to 1-0 on the season. Jeanty will play his first NFL home game in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. He’ll get there with one touchdown under his belt, but is looking for more yards. Jeanty only had 30 yards on his first nine carries.</p><p>Stick with ClutchPoints all day Sunday for NFL Week 1 coverage, including the thrilling finish between the Raiders and the Patriots. Will Jeanty score again?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Watch Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty break tackles for 1st career touchdown

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-ashton-jeanty-stock-big-boost-raheem-mostert-inactive');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ashton Jeanty stock gets big boost with Raiders RB Raheem Mostert inactive');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ashton-Jeanty-of-the-Las-Vegas-Raiders-2.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Ashton Jeanty stock gets big boost with Raiders RB Raheem Mostert inactive</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T09:27:11-07:00">September 7th, 9:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T09:27:11-07:00">September 7th, 9:27am</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-nfl-record-pete-carroll-will-set-week-1">Las Vegas Raiders kick off</a> the 2025-26 campaign with a Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. All eyes are on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty after he had one of the most prolific performances in college football last season. It appears he may be in for a huge game in his NFL debut, as reports indicate his backup, Raheem Mostert, won’t be playing.</p><p>Mostert, who is 33 years old, was named on the Raiders’ inactive list <a href="https://x.com/Raiders/status/1964713321778856021" rel="noopener">ahead of the season opener</a>. The veteran running back does not have an injury, and the decision to make him inactive was a decision made by head coach Pete Carroll. Las Vegas has seven players on the inactive list for Week 1.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Inactives for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LVvsNE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LVvsNE</a> <a href="https://t.co/I3Ol5P6yLV">pic.twitter.com/I3Ol5P6yLV</a></p><p>— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1964713321778856021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>So, Ashton Jeanty will lead the way in the backfield while Zamir White and Dylan Laube will serve as the backups. The Raiders’ 2025 first-round pick should work as the team’s bell cow on Sunday, which is a role he played well during his time at Boise State. Jeanty enters the NFL after recording 2,601 rushing yards (led the nation) and 29 rushing touchdowns (led the Mountain West Conference).</p><p>His 2,601 rushing yards are the second most ever recorded in a single season, as Barry Sanders owns the record with 2,628 yards. Sanders went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Detroit Lions.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-ashton-jeanty-staying-own-bubble-sky-high-expectations">Expectations are high for Ashton Jeanty</a>, as many believe he has the talent to become an immediate superstar. With Raheem Mostert officially inactive for the season opener, we should see Jeanty have plenty of opportunities to carry the ball. If he lives up to expectations, then the Raiders’ rushing attack should be one of the most consistent in the league this season.</p><p>Look for Jeanty to get the ball early and often as the Raiders potentially attempt to control the clock and give the rookie running back a chance to get acclimated to the pro level. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST and takes place in New England.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ashton Jeanty stock gets big boost with Raiders RB Raheem Mostert inactive

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-nfl-record-pete-carroll-will-set-week-1');   ga('set', 'title', 'The NFL record Raiders head coach Pete Carroll will set in Week 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Old-school-head-coach-Pete-Carroll-will-emphasize-the-running-game-with-the-Raiders.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>The NFL record Raiders head coach Pete Carroll will set in Week 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T07:28:22-07:00">September 7th, 7:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T07:28:22-07:00">September 7th, 7:28am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a new era with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-las-vegas-pete-carroll-next-head-coach">Pete Carroll as their head coach</a>. Pete went right to work after joining the Raiders, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-shocking-geno-smith-trade-seahawks">acquiring Geno Smith</a> to be the team’s new quarterback. Now Carroll is set to make league history with his head coaching debut in Las Vegas.</p><p>Carroll <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1964673780292395152" rel="noopener">will set a league record</a> on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-how-pete-carroll-make-nfl-history-first-season">Carroll will become the oldest head coach</a> in NFL history at 73 yards and 357 days old.</p><p>He has now surpassed Romeo Crennel (73), George Halas (72), and Bill Belichick (71) to become the oldest head coach ever.</p><p>The funny thing is that Carroll does not act like one of the oldest NFL coaches around.</p><p>Pete Carroll was already the oldest head coach in the NFL when he stepped down from his previous position with the Seahawks after the 2023 season. That, paired with Belichick’s retirement from the NFL, temporarily made Andy Reid the NFL’s oldest active head coach.</p><p>But now Carroll is back to reclaim his mantle.</p><p>Carroll will turn 74 yards old on September 15th, the final day of Week 2.</p><h2><b>Raiders preparing for Week 1 matchup against Patriots</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Maxx-Crosby-of-the-Las-Vegas-Raiders-1.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Carroll will begin his Raiders tenure with a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-patriots-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">winnable game against the Patriots</a>.</p><p>New England should serve as a great measuring stick for Las Vegas in Week 1.</p><p>Both teams have frisky defenses with plenty of talented players. The Raiders have the star power with Maxx Crosby, but the Patriots have talented starters at almost every position.</p><p>They both also have talented playmakers on offense, but are lacking in depth.</p><p>The Raiders are likely to lean on rookie Ashton Jeanty and superstar tight end Brock Bowers in Week 1. Especially after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-amari-coopers-retirement-pete-carroll-response">Amari Cooper’s surprise retirement</a> shook up the team’s receiver depth.</p><p>Las Vegas could dominate this game if Jeanty plays at a high level in his first NFL starter. Otherwise, this game could become a defensive slugfest.</p><p>The Raiders should be extra motivated to get a Week 1 win <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-la-fans-go-bananas-win-chiefs">after seeing the Chiefs lose on Friday night</a>.</p><p>Raiders at Patriots kicks off at 1PM ET on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The NFL record Raiders head coach Pete Carroll will set in Week 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-amari-coopers-retirement-pete-carroll-response');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Amari Cooper’s retirement decision draws honest Pete Carroll response');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Pete-Carroll-1.jpg"><figcaption>© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders’ Amari Cooper’s retirement decision draws honest Pete Carroll response</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T13:35:59-07:00">September 5th, 1:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T14:35:43-07:00">September 5th, 2:35pm</time><address><a>Guillermo Guajardo</a>Guillermo Guajardo is a dynamic sports presenter with experience on various television channels and digital platforms, most recently with A Tiempo.TV. He is also a multidisciplinary artist with 10 years of experience in acting, directing, writing, and hosting. His work in film has been recognized at international festivals, earning awards for both his performances and directorial projects.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In the wake of veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper’s surprising retirement from the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-patriots-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Las Vegas Raiders just days before the start of the 2025 season</a>, head coach Pete Carroll made it clear that the decision was entirely Cooper’s, <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1964044769652339012" rel="noopener">while also expressing respect</a> for how the former Pro Bowler handled the situation.</p><p>“The timing wasn’t right for him. He didn’t feel like he was ready to do it. He gave it a shot, and we gave him a shot. Much respect for him making that decision. Wish him the best.” Carroll said.</p><p>The unexpected move came shortly after Cooper reunited with the Raiders, the franchise that selected him fourth overall in the 2015 Draft. The 30-year-old receiver informed the team that he no longer had the desire to play and would retire. The announcement ended what was expected to be a comeback opportunity with Carroll’s team following a late-summer signing.</p><p>The veteran had most recently played with the Buffalo Bills. In eight regular-season games with Buffalo, he caught 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns. He added six receptions across three playoff appearances but was not on any roster during the 2025 preseason before returning to Las Vegas.</p><p>With Cooper out, the team immediately adjusted their depth at wide receiver. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-las-vegas-makes-pair-of-minor-wr-transactions-after-amari-cooper-retirement">The Raiders promoted Justin Shorter from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.</a> Shorter, a fifth-round pick by the Bills in 2023, was already part of the organization and now steps into a more prominent role.</p><p>Las Vegas also added another veteran option, signing Phillip Dorsett to the practice squad. These moves come at a time when the Raiders’ receiving group was already in flux, with second-round pick Jack Bech still seeking consistency. Carroll will now need to lean on younger players such as Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Tre Tucker, along with tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, to sustain the passing attack.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders’ Amari Cooper’s retirement decision draws honest Pete Carroll response

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-las-vegas-makes-pair-of-minor-wr-transactions-after-amari-cooper-retirement');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders make pair of minor WR transactions after Amari Cooper retirement');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-WR-Justin-Shorter.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Raiders make pair of minor WR transactions after Amari Cooper retirement</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T11:37:58-07:00">September 5th, 11:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T11:37:58-07:00">September 5th, 11:37am</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-patriots-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Raiders hope that 2025</a> brings them more success than they’ve had since 2000. After three straight playoff season at the beginning of the century, the Raiders have only made the postseason twice since 2002. With the new duo of GM John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll in place, Las Vegas hopes to break that cycle in 2025. After former first-round pick Amari Cooper resigned with the team, then made the subsequent yet shocking decision to retire, the Raiders’ receiving room needed some reinforcements. According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo on X (formerly Twitter), Las Vegas has promoted wideout Justin Shorter <a href="https://x.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1963980214817489374" rel="noopener">from the practice squad.</a></p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> are signing WR Justin Shorter off their practice squad, sources tell me and <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RapSheet</a>. He replaces the retired Amari Cooper on the 53. <a href="https://t.co/fJHLkKhYyj">pic.twitter.com/fJHLkKhYyj</a></p><p>— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1963980214817489374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“The #Raiders are signing WR Justin Shorter off their practice squad, sources tell me and @RapSheet,” reported Garafolo. “He replaces the retired Amari Cooper on the 53.”</p><p>Shorter has been with the Raiders since last season. The former Florida Gator was a fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2023 but now finds himself in Vegas. With his current team low on receiving depth, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/2-hidden-gems-bills-2024-roster-need-know">Shorter could make an impact</a> if given the chance. The 25-year0old is a young, big target whom starting quarterback Geno Smith could use in the red zone. With veteran Jakobi Meyers also looking for a way out via trade, could Shorter make a name for himself this season?</p><h2><b>Raiders look to get back to winning ways in 2025</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Raiders-WR-Phillip-Dorsett.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-geno-smith-makes-honest-pete-carroll-admission">Raiders play in what could</a> be the NFL’s most loaded division. The Kansas City Chiefs have won the West for nine seasons in a row. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers were playoff teams in 2024. In Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton, the division’s coaching talent is also stacked. Hiring Carroll to institute a new winning culture alongside Spytek was a smart move by owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady. One of their most pressing needs to address is at receiver. In addition to Shorter, NFL insider Tom Pelissero also reported via X that veteran wideout Phillip Dorsett will <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1964018551087309019" rel="noopener">join the practice squad.</a></p><p>“The #Raiders signed veteran WR Phillip Dorsett to the practice squad and officially placed WR Amari Cooper on the Reserve/Retired list,” reported Pelissero.</p><p>With second-round pick Jack Bech struggling to make an impact up to this point, it’s up to recent draft picks Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Tre Tucker to step up. Smith needs more targets outside of tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. Can Shorter and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-news-playing-with-russell-wilson-drew-phillip-dorsett-to-seattle">Dorsett provide an impact</a> to a team in desperate need of more punch in the passing game?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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