The Las Vegas Raiders' string of bad luck and internal strife grew thicker this past Sunday, following their 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Now at a daunting 2-9 record for the season, the Raiders seem to be in a tailspin. Making matters worse, quarterback Geno Smith, who's been under scrutiny amidst the troubles, gave an obscene gesture to fans after the game which was caught by cameras and witnessed by attendees at Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas Review-Journal shared the Raiders' team statement acknowledging the incident and expressing disappointment in Smith's actions.
In a situation that has already seen its fair share of frustration among the fanbase, the backlash from Smith's gesture only adds fuel to a fiery season. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was quoted saying in a statement obtained by the Review-Journal, "It’s definitely rough hearing," regarding the boos from the crowd. "We have to do better for them. We need their support."
Geno Smith's provocative move comes amidst a season of struggles for the Raiders, which not only includes their dismal record but also the firing of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, as reported by Newsweek. Kelly's dismissal further shakes up a team already grasping for stability under head coach Pete Carroll.
While the dismal gestures and firings overshadow some aspects of the Raiders' performance, there are still plays that shine through, like defensive end Charles Snowden catching his first career interception. Snowdens' moment of glory, however, seems overshadowed by the larger narrative of a franchise struggling to find its footing. With Geno Smith potentially facing NFL punishment, as mentioned by Newsweek, the troubles for the Raiders only seem to deepen as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in what will surely be a closely scrutinized Week 13 matchup.
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