Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith put up a “Monday Night Football” performance to forget in front of his home fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
Smith was wildly inaccurate throughout the Raiders’ 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He went 24/43 for 180 yards, with three backbreaking interceptions sprinkled throughout the ballgame.
The two-time Pro Bowler threw an interception on the very first play of the game, which was a sign of things to come.
Daiyan Henley comes down with the interception on the first play of the game!
LACvsLV on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/8PB7QDKeIv
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2025
The Raiders, trailing 20-9 midway through the fourth quarter, saw their comeback chances all but vanish when Smith gave up his third interception on a careless shot into the end zone.
Tipped and picked. Chargers defense gets its 3rd interception of the game! @_DJack01
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Fans clowned Smith for his woeful display in his Raiders home debut. The memes mocking the veteran QB started flooding social media as the game progressed.
DBs without any career interception
Geno smith: pic.twitter.com/oD9B6ht3AN
— TJ (@steph30UTD) September 16, 2025
Raiders Geno Smith when he has a clean pocket, multiple receivers open, and plenty of time to throw pic.twitter.com/f6SycjN2oX
— Blake🏀 (@HiddenNBA) September 16, 2025
Geno Smith when he sees a WR has two guys covering him pic.twitter.com/YjLtV8J1ey
— Nick (@NotoriousFNTSY) September 16, 2025
Raiders fans : “Can we score ?”
Geno Smith : pic.twitter.com/ByRcOBh3jD
— 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 (@xJahstin) September 16, 2025
Smith did not convert on any of his 12 passing attempts for over 10 yards downfield. All three of his interceptions came on such plays. According to Next Gen Stats, Smith is the only NFL quarterback since 2016 to attempt at least 10 downfield passes and fail to record a single completion.
The Raiders traded for Smith in the offseason and signed him to a three-year contract worth $75 million. Smith looked like he was worth every penny when he threw for 362 yards and a touchdown in Las Vegas’ season-opening win. His Week 2 performance may have made Raiders minority owner Tom Brady feel otherwise.