Raiders QB Situation Murky Ahead of Brutal Matchup with Texans' Top-Ranked Defense
As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to face the red-hot Houston Texans in Week 16, the biggest question isn’t about who should start at quarterback - it’s who’s willing to step into the fire.
Head coach Pete Carroll has a decision to make between a banged-up Geno Smith and a struggling Kenny Pickett. But let’s be honest: no matter who gets the nod, it’s a tall task bordering on impossible.
The Texans are rolling, and their defense isn’t just good - it’s been downright vicious. They lead the NFL in sacks and have made a habit of turning opposing quarterbacks into cautionary tales.
The Raiders, meanwhile, have surrendered more sacks than any team in the league this season. That’s not exactly a recipe for success against a Texans front that’s been living in backfields all year. So when Carroll makes his final call, it may feel less like choosing a starter and more like naming the next man up for a gauntlet.
Geno Trending Toward a Return
There is, however, some positive news for Las Vegas. On Tuesday, Carroll gave an encouraging update on Geno Smith, who missed last week’s shutout loss to the Eagles with back and shoulder issues.
According to Carroll, Smith is “cranked up and ready” after a weekend of focused rehab work. The team deliberately kept him off the cross-country flight to Philly to avoid aggravating his injuries, and it seems that move paid off.
Smith is expected to return to full practice on Wednesday, a strong indicator that he’s on track to start Sunday in Houston. For the season, the veteran quarterback has posted a 67% completion rate, throwing for 2,648 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The turnover number is a concern - only Tua Tagovailoa has more picks this year - but at this point, Smith still gives the Raiders their best shot at keeping things competitive.
Pickett’s Rough Debut Doesn’t Help His Case
If Smith can’t go, the alternative isn’t exactly inspiring. Kenny Pickett got the start in Week 15 and struggled mightily, throwing for just 64 yards and a pick in a 31-0 blowout loss. It was the kind of performance that raises more questions than answers - and certainly didn’t do much to earn him another shot at the starting role.
Pickett has bounced around the league and was brought in more as a depth piece than a long-term solution. And while Carroll hasn’t officially ruled him out, the tone around the team suggests that if Smith is healthy enough, he’ll be under center.
O’Connell on the Outside Looking In
As for Aidan O’Connell, the second-year quarterback who started 17 games over the last two seasons, it doesn’t sound like he’s in serious consideration for this week’s start. Carroll acknowledged O’Connell’s solid work in practice and said he’d “love” to get him some playing time - but only in a positive game script.
That’s coach-speak for: “We’d like to see him… just not right now.”
O’Connell is 7-10 as a starter and has shown flashes, but not enough to force his way into the current QB conversation. Right now, it’s Smith’s job if he’s healthy. If not, the Raiders may be forced to go back to Pickett and hope for a better showing.
A Steep Hill to Climb
Let’s not sugarcoat it - this is a brutal matchup for the Raiders. Houston’s defense is playing with swagger, speed, and physicality, and they’ve made even seasoned quarterbacks look rattled. The Texans are heavy favorites for a reason, and unless Las Vegas can pull off something miraculous, this one could get out of hand early.
The Raiders need more than just a healthy quarterback - they need protection, discipline, and a whole lot of resilience. Because unless someone finds a time machine and brings back 2016 Derek Carr, 2002 Rich Gannon, or 1976 Kenny Stabler, the silver and black are walking into a buzzsaw on Sunday.
The Texans are surging. The Raiders are searching. And the clock is ticking.