Analyst claims ‘Raiders should have hired Jim Harbaugh’ amid ‘overpaid mediocre’ Geno Smith’s ‘atrocious’ 20-9 loss to Chargers

The Las Vegas Raiders fell 20-9 to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football in a game where Geno Smith threw three interceptions and never found the end zone. Analyst Matt Youmans took aim after the loss, writing on X, “It has been obvious the @Raiders should have hired Jim Harbaugh when they had the chance. And of course overpaid mediocre QB Geno Smith, who was just atrocious tonight.”Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers improved to 2-0 while the Raiders dropped to 1-1 in Pete Carroll’s first season in Las Vegas.Jim Harbaugh’s second game as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers looked like a statement win. The Chargers defense forced three turnovers and limited the Las Vegas Raiders to 218 total yards and just three field goals from Daniel Carlson. The Raiders averaged only 3.4 yards per play on 65 snaps.Justin Herbert was the difference on offense. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, adding 31 yards on the ground to lead Los Angeles in rushing. His highlight came late in the second quarter with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston that stretched the Chargers’ lead to 17-6 before halftime. Johnston finished with three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, while Keenan Allen added five catches for 61 yards and another score.The Chargers did suffer a setback with edge rusher Khalil Mack leaving in the first half with an elbow injury. He was later shown on the ESPN broadcast with his arm in a sling.Geno Smith’s performance defined the night for Las Vegas. On the first play from scrimmage, he threw an interception that set up an early Chargers field goal. He was picked off again late in the first half on a deep shot to the end zone by veteran safety Tony Jefferson. His final interception came in the fourth quarter on a pass intended for Jakobi Meyers in the end zone, tipped by Derwin James Jr. and hauled in by Donte Jackson.Smith finished with 180 passing yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. His quarterback rating was 37.0 compared to Justin Herbert’s 122.8. Smith went 0-for-11 on throws over 10 air yards, a collapse from his Week 1 performance against the New England Patriots where he went 9-for-14 on deep attempts.The Raiders’ lone offensive bright spot was a long fourth-quarter drive that lasted more than 11 minutes but still ended in a field goal. By the time Daniel Carlson connected from 37 yards, the game was already out of reach.The Los Angeles Chargers are 2-0 for the second straight season and now sit alone atop the AFC West. Justin Herbert has thrown four touchdowns through two games and looks comfortable in Greg Roman’s system. The Chargers will host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.The Las Vegas Raiders are 1-1 and 0-1 in the division. Pete Carroll’s team will travel to face the Washington Commanders in Week 3 at 1 p.m. ET. The pressure on Geno Smith is only going to grow if his turnovers continue.