This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns will face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in their Week 12 matchup. As the Browns prepare for this challenging contest, it’s worth examining the Raiders’ current state of affairs to better understand what the Browns might be up against. To offer insight from the Raiders’ perspective, we connected with Matt Holder from Silver and Black Pride, who provided candid thoughts on the team’s struggles, key players, and overall outlook heading into this game.
One of the most pressing topics among Raiders fans this season has been the performance and future of head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith. According to Matt, the fanbase is deeply frustrated. Carroll spent much of the offseason talking up his winning pedigree, raising expectations that the Raiders would improve this year. Instead, the team’s performance has either stagnated or regressed compared to last season. Meanwhile, Geno Smith, who initially seemed like a solid bridge quarterback, has become a source of disappointment. He currently leads the league in interceptions and hasn’t displayed the high-end passing ability fans were hoping for. His struggles were so evident that after a recent loss, Smith sarcastically suggested that people could blame him for everything bad in their lives—a clear sign of the pressure he’s under.
Given these challenges, there is serious speculation that Carroll and Smith could both be “one and done” in Las Vegas, meaning their tenure may end after this season. Matt believes that if Carroll is fired, Smith will likely be released as well. The only thing currently keeping them around is the Raiders’ history of frequent turnover at the head coach and quarterback positions over the past five years. However, neither has given Raider Nation any confidence that things will improve next year, which only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s future.
When asked about the Raiders’ biggest weakness this season, Matt pointed out that the team has so many problems it’s hard to single out just one. The quarterback position, where Smith’s poor play has been glaring, is certainly a critical issue. But other significant weaknesses compound the team’s struggles. The offensive line, for example, is in rough shape, especially with key starters like Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson currently on injured reserve. Defensively, talent is scarce outside of standout pass rusher Maxx Crosby, leaving much to be desired in terms of overall defensive impact.
Coaching has also been a major concern. While Carroll has taken most of the heat, coordinators Chip Kelly and Patrick Graham have come under scrutiny as well. The Raiders appear to be a deeply dysfunctional organization, with reports highlighting a disconnect between the front office and coaching staff. For instance, a report from Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team revealed that general manager John Spytek wants to give more playing time to younger players, but Carroll prefers relying on veterans in an effort to win games immediately. Additionally, The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen noted that rookie offensive linemen Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant—both third-round draft picks—have barely seen the field this season because they are reportedly not yet good enough to contribute. This finger-pointing and internal conflict underscore the chaos enveloping the team as the Raiders appear to be in “cover your ass” mode heading toward the end of the season.
Looking ahead to the Raiders’ 2025 draft class, the picture doesn’t get much brighter. Outside of running back Ashton Jeanty, who has been a regular contributor, there isn’t a clear standout among the rookies so far. Cornerback Darien Porter might be the second-most consistent player from this draft class, but even he has only logged under 250 defensive snaps and started just three games this season. Although he was promoted to the starting lineup recently, his position remains uncertain, especially given that the primary second cornerback, Kyu Blu Kelly, has struggled.
Wide receiver production from rookies has also been underwhelming. Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton, both young wideouts, have combined for just 14 catches, 190 yards, and no touchdowns. Neither has recorded a game with at least 30 receiving yards, with Thornton’s contributions being particularly minimal since September. Overall, the rookie class has yet to make a significant impact on the team’s fortunes.
Despite the Raiders’ many issues, there are still a few players worth watching as the Browns prepare for Sunday’s game. Matt highlighted wide receiver Tre Tucker as one of the few bright spots on the roster this season. Now in his third