Another week, another Las Vegas Raiders loss — but weirdly, I am not upset.
After an overtime defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, most of what I am reading online is negative.
But honestly, I might be seeing it differently.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs the Raiders failed to score a single point, at least this time, we showed some fight.
While we still lost on Sunday, seeing us go for a two-point conversion to try and win the game in overtime was far more positive.
Offense actually was offensive this week
The first quarter was rough, no doubt. The offense looked flat and slow to start, but as the game went on, something finally clicked.
Tight end Brock Bowers looked back to full fitness, and it made all the difference. When he is healthy, Geno Smith suddenly looks like a real quarterback again. That is not a coincidence.
Bowers hauled in 12 of 13 targets for 127 yards and three touchdowns — his best game since Week 1 before his injury.
Ashton Jeanty was excellent too, with 42 rushing yards and another 47 receiving plus a touchdown. He is getting better every week and quietly becoming one of the few bright spots in this rough stretch.
Sure, Geno still had an interception and took two sacks, but if he is putting up 280 yards and four touchdowns, I will take that trade-off every single week.
Defense could use some help
Now, everyone is talking trades — “sell high,” “collect picks,” “rebuild.”
And yes, maybe that is the easy option. But honestly, why give up now? We have got the cap space and the draft picks. Use them to strengthen the team this season.
The defensive line needs help more than anything. Maxx Crosby is double-teamed nearly every play, and nobody else is stepping up to punish that.
Surely there is a player out there who would take a mid-round pick to come prove himself in Vegas.
It does not have to be a superstar — just someone who can free up Crosby to do what he does best.
Is the answer really a rebuild?
What is the real gain in trading everyone away right now?
Outside of Crosby, we are not getting massive value for most players anyway. Is the third or fourth round of next year’s draft really where the magic fix lies?
I would rather see this team stick it out a bit longer. Let them gel, keep getting reps together, and maybe — just maybe — things start to click.
Unless the front office truly wants to tank, there is still something worth fighting for.
And tanking now does not even make sense. We do not know what the next draft class looks like yet, and if it is just another edge rusher or safety crop, why bail so early?
Let us at least wait until the hope is actually gone before we hit the panic button.
Update – The panic button has been hit.
Shortly after writing the above the news dropped that Jakobi Meyers has been traded to the Jaguars for a fourth round and sixth round pick.
I know we are trying to “build for the future”, but it is hard not to feel like we are tearing down a team that is only just started to find a rhythm.
