What was once a steadfast strength is now a leery liability.
Such is the case for the Las Vegas Raiders special teams unit. And it’s apt to question why Tom McMahon remains in charge of that group in the desert.
With two struggling offenses but impressive defenses under the primetime spotlight in the Raiders matchup with the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High Thursday night, the Silver & Black’s special teams gaffes proved to be a major difference between the two AFC West squads in Las Vegas’ 10-7 loss.
First came a blocked punt as Darren Rizzi’s Broncos punt coverage unit aggressively went after the Raiders’ AJ Cole III in the third quarter. Denver rushers overwhelmed Las Vegas blocking group and to get to Cole and block the boot and the Broncos got prime field position at the Raiders 12-yard line.
But Las Vegas’ defense stood tall, yielded on a field goal, and the Raiders only trailed 10-7. Turns out, that was the final points of the evening.
Despite the Raiders defense getting gifted an interception on another errant throw from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and the offense doing just enough to kicker Daniel Carlson in range for a 48-yard field goal try, that went awry too. Carlson’s boot was straight and on target — just wide right of the goalpost.
“He has to kick that,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said after the game. “I know it kills him not to. He wants to make every one of those. But he has to kick that one.”
Carlson is now 12 of 16 on field goals this season and the 75 percent conversion rate so far this season marks the 30-year-old’s second lowest field goal percentage since the 2019 season where he went 19 of 26 (73.1 percent). And it’s that kind of miss — his lone opportunity in the defeat — that hurts Carlson’s chances of remaining in Silver & Black beyond this season. The Auburn product is on the final year of his current deal and his $5.15 million cap number is too high for a scattershot season.
Cole — who serves as both punter and holder for the Raiders — showcased his big and accurate leg by pinning the Broncos at their own 2-yard and 1-yard lines on two of his boots. On those particular occasions, Las Vegas’ defense forced three-and-outs. But, unlike Rizzi, McMahon couldn’t dial up a rush that could get to Denver punter Jeremy Crawshaw.
Let’s hit the quick slants as fast as the Broncos swarmed to block Cole’s punt:
—Here’s an ugly stat of the evening: The combined first downs between the Raiders and Broncos tallied 20 — 10 apiece. The combined penalties? 22. 11 for 83 yards from Las Vegas. 11 for 78 yards from Denver. Both teams offenses were equally abysmal trying to combat inspired defensive efforts on third down. The Raiders were 4 of 15 while the Broncos finished 5 of 15.
—Raiders quarterback Geno Smith was under siege from the Broncos pass rush getting sacked six times. He was hobbled by a quad injury and finished 16 of 26 for 143 yards with an interception. Despite limping noticeably, Smith chose to remain in the close ballgame.
—Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty scored the team’s lone touchdown and finished with 19 carries for 60 yards. He could’ve had a more productive evening had it not been for a holding call (by fellow rookie wide receiver Jack Bech) that wiped out a dazzling 32-yard run in the second quarter.
—How tight end Brock Bowers only ends up with one catch for 31 yards and a meager three targets is beyond me. Yes, Smith was under duress, but that’s been the case for the majority of the Raiders 2025 campaign and that doesn’t deter the team from feeding Bowers.
—Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly was the benefactor of Nix’s off-target throws as the defensive back snared two of them for interceptions. Defensive end Charles Snowden and defensive tackle Adam Butler each racked up a sack while edge rusher Maxx Crosby was his usual disruptive self getting after Nix and stuffing the run.
—After not registering a sack in three straight games heading into the Thursday night clash, Broncos rush outside linebacker Nik Bonitto racked up 1.5. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, defensive end Zach Allen, and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach each collected a sack, while a trio of Denver defenders were created with half a sack.
Quote of Note
“The way that they competed was just what we’re hoping for, just what we’re looking for. Could we not clip a guy? Could we not hold a guy? Yeah. Could we not pick a guy? Yeah. There’s so many things we could get better at but the fight is in this dog now. Ain’t no doubt about it. I couldn’t wait to tell them how proud I was at the way they competed.”
—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll on the loss in Denver
Up Next
The 2-7 Raiders get a bit of a reprieve playing on Thursday night and a short week to prep for another primetime contest: A Monday night tilt with the Dallas Cowboys inside Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 17. The Cowboys are 3-5-1 and will be coming off a bye week when they clash with the Raiders. Thus, Dallas should be well rested, too.
