QB Geno Smith threw for 362 yards in his regular-season debut for the Raiders, with 1 TD and 1 INT. Smith connected on 24 of 34 passes, with WR Jakobi Meyers and TE Brock Bowers predictably his top targets. He also took four sacks and scrambled once. (Smith's other "rushing attempt" came on a game-ending kneel down.)
Smith found a wide-open Tre Tucker from 26 yards out early in the first quarter for his only TD in the 20-13 victory. (Vegas' other TD came on a third-quarter Ashton Jeanty run.) The most interesting aspect of this game might have been the Raiders' early play-calling, though.
The final run-pass split finds 34 pass attempts vs. 24 runs. But the first half included just seven rushes vs. 23 dropbacks. First-round RB Ashton Jeanty logged just nine official carries before the fourth quarter.
It's just the first game -- also the Raiders debut for HC Pete Carroll and OC Chip Kelly -- and the matchup may have driven that early passing lean. The Patriots were missing lead CB Christian Gonzalez and starting two new safeties vs. last year's squad.
That run-pass split will be interesting to watch going forward.
Next week holds a home date with the Chargers, which could present some shootout potential. Don't expect big passing days like this to be Smith's baseline, but it's nice to see this potential right away.
He should be at least a solid superflex QB2 for Week 2.
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