Overview

• Smith went 24-of-34 for 362 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 20-13 road victory over New England.
• He broke Dan Pastorini’s franchise mark for most passing yards in a Raiders debut, per Pro Football Talk, and logged nine completions of 20-plus yards, tying a team single-game high since 1991.
• Targets spread to seven receivers included a 26-yard TD to Tre Tucker, five catches for 103 yards by Brock Bowers, and a late 36-yard strike to rookie Dont’e Thornton.
• Smith kept the postgame tone measured, saying “I’m me” and calling it “just one win,” emphasizing right reads and getting the ball to playmakers.
• Teammates and analysts praised the performance, with Jakobi Meyers calling Smith “a dog” and CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell labeling him a playmaker who could make Las Vegas an interesting story; the Raiders host the Chargers in Week 2 after acquiring and extending Smith this offseason.