That cold breeze you’re feeling in Las Vegas is the draft…
Normally, in October, the breeze that fills the air is an Autumn Wind. However, after the Las Vegas Raiders dropped their Week 7 contest against the Los Angeles Rams, bringing their record to 2-5 on the season, the air feels slightly different as the draft blows through Las Vegas.
It feels like the Raiders’ 20-15 defeat in Los Angeles officially shifted the fanbase’s attention to the NFL Draft as the game was another not-so-subtle reminder of how badly this team needs a quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell exited the game after the offense’s second possession with an injury to his thumb on his throwing hand and Gardner Minshew’s four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) were the primary reason the team lost.
The Rams’ two scoring drives came on short fields via two of Minshew’s interceptions and the fumble was returned for a touchdown, meaning all 20 of Los Angeles’ points came off turnovers. Then, the quarterback’s final pick sealed the Raiders’ fate at the end of the game.
To make matters worse, O’Connell’s thumb could be broken, so it’s either Minshew or rookie undrafted free agent Carter Bradley for the foreseeable future. And the Week 1 starter was so bad on Sunday that some are calling for Bradley to get the call next week as that topic and draft talk dominate the reactions on X/Twitter after the game.
What rebuild are the Raiders up to in the last 20 years? 10?
Updated logo. pic.twitter.com/VNCJsYxvvH
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) October 20, 2024
Some positivity…
The Raiders improve from 11th to now the 6th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
— Keith Ricci (@KeithRicci) October 20, 2024
Who do you like in the QB1 battle in the draft, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders?
1 loss closer to getting ourselves a QB 1 pic.twitter.com/AT2MRzXtJ9
— Rick (@RaidersLakers) October 20, 2024
Raiders 2-5 we actually drafting a quarterback this year pic.twitter.com/2ZhNtskxWw
— ☠️ (@WalikWillis) October 20, 2024
Minshew with the Draft pick saving throw!!! pic.twitter.com/ZKqixsv1ok
— Tier (@TierRaiders22) October 20, 2024
This day is going well. About to lose to a team with 1 win. Cleveland lost an anchor that was dragging them down. Jags won. #Raiders could move up several spots in the draft order.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) October 20, 2024
Minshew hasn’t even started every game this season and leads the NFL in turnovers…
#Raiders QB Gardner Minshew has 10 turnovers (T-most in the NFL) this season.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 21, 2024
Gardner Minshew takes accountability after tying a career-high 3 INTs and 4 turnovers total:
“Not fair to the rest of the team.” #Raiders pic.twitter.com/ui7nNzkIYO
— Logan Reever (@loganreever) October 20, 2024
To be fair, the offensive line wasn’t good today either.
Raiders offensive line. pic.twitter.com/BomPkgmYFz
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) October 20, 2024
Another questionable decision by Antonio Pierce at the end of the game.
Antonio Pierce has disappointed me so much as a HC. Came in preaching this “Raider way” mindset but coaches at the end of games like an absolute chicken shit. Kicking a FG down 8 under 3 mins is an embarrassment.
— Unbiased Ev (@DoubleVodkaDon) October 20, 2024
Either Antonio Pierce completely ignores his game management guy or the Raiders need a new game management guy
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 20, 2024
“Ill Intent. Violence. Physicality. Pain.” —#Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce.
It’s pretty cold blooded for the coach to inflict all that on #RaiderNation though.
That’s what the 2-5 football team is doing to a loyal fanbase.
— Ray Leonard Aspuria (@AsukalAspuria) October 20, 2024
The play O’Connell hurt his thumb on.
Aidan O’Connell #raiders
Looks like his thumb gets caught on the defenders hand. Thumb injuries make it very difficult to grip/throw. We’ll see if he can return pic.twitter.com/fEvtvErWUf
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) October 20, 2024
Raiders are awaiting testing on O’Connell’s thumb and hoping for good news.
#Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell has his right thumb heavily taped. Asked for a prognosis, he just said “it hurts.” He’s hoping for good news after additional testing back in Las Vegas.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 20, 2024
#Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell is believed to have suffered a broken thumb based on preliminary tests, sources say.
He’ll have further evaluation tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury. Frustrating, considering he had just taken the starting job. pic.twitter.com/B0gs5olKuQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2024
If AOC can’t go, is it Bradley’s time?
Ok Gard Dawg, that’s enough.
If AOC is unavailable next week v KC, it should be Carter Bradley SZN.
Not joking. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/azzMGiKz7B— Murf ☠️ (@_Murf) October 20, 2024
Carter Bradley at practice tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/Dn7xzFZ6ri
— Big Perm (@TheBigPerm) October 20, 2024
WE WANT CARTER!!! WE WANT CARTER!! Time to put in Carter Bradley pic.twitter.com/blTbgeMQYP
— Randall (@rrubalcava75) October 20, 2024
