Raiders' Carroll: I still 'really believe' in Geno

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is still confident in quarterback Geno Smith following a 33-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

"I continue to really believe in him," Carroll said of his starting signal-caller Tuesday, according to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper. "I have no hesitation in telling you that. He's an incredible player, and he's busting his tail. He's working at it really hard. He has not backed off one step throughout the process.

"He's gonna keep working it, and he'll come through for us. We just gotta help him out more and protect him better."

Smith completed 27 of 42 passes for 238 yards with one touchdown and one interception versus the Cowboys. He was also sacked four times and posted a 77.3 passer rating.

Smith's first year in Las Vegas is off to a rough start after the team acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks for a third-round pick in March. Of the 34 qualifying quarterbacks heading into Week 12, he sits 29th in passer rating and 30th in EPA/dropback, according to Next Gen Stats.

His play this season has been a significant drop-off from 2024, when he ranked fourth in passing yards and fifth in completion percentage among all quarterbacks. The 35-year-old signed a two-year, $75-million extension with the Raiders in April, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season.

Monday's defeat dropped the Raiders to 2-8 on the season. They've lost eight of their last nine games following a Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots. Carroll's squad will look to end its four-game losing streak against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.