Raiderstation

After a successful week one win, the Raiders are going to their second home at the Chargers this week.

View from the enemy

https://www.thepowderblues.com/forum/fo ... gers-forum

chucker wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 9:43 am As opposed to outside linebacker offense?

It's the chargers, maybe they need to help everyone know which side of the ball to lineup on?

Chucker, we better get used to that. Unfortunately for us, real NFL teams are going to stack the box against us (and I do not blame them one bit).

Goodtimes333 wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 6:55 am The two picks Kirk threw weren't even tight window throws that were snagged because his arm couldn't get it there with zip. They were just dog shit throws that had no chance. The second one was worse than the first. The first one, I have no clue what he was doing. Maybe leading the receiver or just plain missed the throw

I couldn't see the game but I did see a replay of one of the picks and it looked more like a push than a throw, which doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence from the gallery, and you know that the chargers didn't miss that detail this week, so this is the week to see if he was just struggling and can do better, to if a still better than Miami, chargers team will suffocate us , and in doing so, expedite the replacing of him with an arm than can make the throws to keep us from regressing for the wrong reasons.

chucker wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 9:44 am

Came to post this exact tweet. Imagine what Jeanty could be capable of with a little help from the aerial attack.

I hope we see Mike Washington used more in the passing game along with Jeanty. It could take advantage of the loaded box issue. Starting with some screen passes.

WNYRAIDER wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 9:54 am I couldn't see the game but I did see a replay of one of the picks and it looked more like a push than a throw, which doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence from the gallery, and you know that the chargers didn't miss that detail this week, so this is the week to see if he was just struggling and can do better, to if a still better than Miami, chargers team will suffocate us , and in doing so, expedite the replacing of him with an arm than can make the throws to keep us from regressing for the wrong reasons.

Last year the Chargers had a ridiculous nack for tipping passes straight up in the air like mini punts. They got a whole grip of interceptions like that. Multiple off of Geno. That comes to mind & Kirk overall just needs to lock his shit down. I think he can do it but I'm not allowing myself to be anxious to see Mendoza. His time will come & I trust Kubiak with that decision. Not that a fans thoughts matter but it's nice to have faith in a coach finally

Arsenal Raider wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2026 11:57 am 100%. He's definitely capable of starting

Literally, that's true, but practically, no, he isn't.

What did anyone hear out of camp or see in preseason that indicates he's ready to start and be at all successful?

This is an honest question because maybe I'm missing something.

His completion rate was 55.5% and he threw for 240 yards. He threw 1 TD and two picks, 1 was a pick six, and he was sacked four times.
As for rushing yards, the only stat I could find was for 6 yards.

With respect to the eye test, he was also underwhelming and he never came close to giving Cousins a run for his money.

No, I'm not saying he's already a bust, but he seems well behind where he should be at this point.

KillerRaider30 wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 9:33 am Heres one of hos ints. It just looks like a bad throw. He had some zip but it looked rushed as pressure was was closing the pocket. Mayer was open underneath and would've been an easy completion.

Yeah, he delivered the ball with plenty of velocity but overthrew the receiver and made a bad read by not accounting for the safety. If he had, he may have not even made the throw and looked elsewhere.

He's never been known to have a cannon for an arm, so no one should expect him to suddenly develop one at this stage in his career. Arm strength was not the issue/error on that play.

RI RAIDER wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 9:54 am Chucker, we better get used to that. Unfortunately for us, real NFL teams are going to stack the box against us (and I do not blame them one bit).

I've accepted that we're not going to be a contender this season, so I don't really care that much if Cousins' shortcomings will cost us some games (even though I might be disappointed in the moment while watching a game). It's ok if the team has to face challenges as a result as long as they grow and learn from it. His arm strength issues likely end up accelerating Mendoza's ascension to the starting lineup and that's good too. For now, I'll be patient and hope the rest of the team can perform against better lineups, and not just against a weak Dolphins team.

Spot on Chucker. Here is hoping that we get a few kids to crack the starting lineup, we get some vet surprises (like Burford), and we ultimately find out we have the real deal behind center. I can give a rats ass about Cousins one way or another. I will cheer him on, but he is a short timer. How short is anyones guess.

Before the Miami game I got this random hunch that Stukes was going to get his first career INT in the game. Specifically Stukes. I was following the the game on a podcast with my dad & Said, Stukes is gonna get a pick. It's gonna happen. Five minutes later it happened. With that said, I got a similar random but strong feeling the other night that Tonka Hemingway is going to make a pretty big impact in the game. He's gonna make some plays & really be a thorn in the Chargers ass.

It's very odd to me that these are two relatively random players & specifically on defense. Stukes a rookie who we didn't know was going to start until recently & Tonka who isn't a headliner per say. We'll see what happens!

Reno Hightower wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 8:04 am People are making too big of an issue about Cousin's arm. Pushing the ball vertically was never his game and we don't have the outside speed to impose it anyways. With Mayer, Jeanty and Bowers we have the talent to work underneath and be effective provided the interceptions are cleaned up.

We have speed. Tucker is fast. We have 3 guys With 4.3/4.4 speed.

Mendoza is not ready yet. End of story. Lots of potential but not ready yet.

When Bowers is healthy we have enough receiving talent as the WRs are OK.

I am still watching the offensive line the most closely followed by the safeties and the LBs — well the whole defense. Last year was a miserable experience watching them not being able to stop anyone.

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2026 12:04 pm Mendoza is not ready yet. End of story. Lots of potential but not ready yet.

When Bowers is healthy we have enough receiving talent as the WRs are OK.

I am still watching the offensive line the most closely followed by the safeties and the LBs — well the whole defense. Last year was a miserable experience watching them not being able to stop anyone.

So Mendoza is ready but the weapons and protection are questionable is how I am reading this.