VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Raiders End Quarterback Speculation Amid Losing Streak

The Las Vegas Raiders, in the midst of a four-game losing streak, the latest being a 35-21 loss to the L.A. Rams yesterday at Allegiant Stadium, are clearing up any confusion about a possible quarterback change. Kirk Cousins of the Las Vegas Raiders stands on the sidelines during yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (Image: Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) In yesterday’s (Oct 25) post-game news conference, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said the team was evaluating all options, including inserting No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza at quarterback in place of Kirk Cousins. Kubiak Addresses Quarterback Speculation “I think we have to go watch the film,” said Kubiak, when asked about Mendoza’s future. “We’re thinking about everything, how to fix our problems, how to fix our issues in the red zone, in the third quarter, and personnel scheme. We got to talk about all of it.” Today, it was different. “There is no controversy,” said Kubiak, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The coach said Cousins is the team’s No. 1 quarterback. Defensive Struggles Continue Mounting The Raiders are 3-4 and third in the AFC West. The team has surrendered at least 30 points in four consecutive games. Since Week 3, they’ve ranked last in the National Football League (NFL) in points allowed (34 per game) and total yards allowed (405.4 per game). Against the Rams, they allowed 199 rushing yards. The running game has also been a challenge. Against the Rams, the Raiders rushed for just 49 yards. It was the fourth consecutive game the Raiders failed to reach 75 rushing yards. Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty averaged just 1.9 yards per carry on eight attempts. Red-zone play is also crushing them. Yesterday, the Raiders scored just one touchdown on five red-zone possessions. Running Game Remains Ineffective “You can’t win in this league having to throw it as much as we’re throwing it,” said Kubiak post-game. “We have got to be more competitive in the game early. There’s no balance in playing from behind.” Yesterday (Oct. 25), the Rams built a 28-6 halftime lead. Cousins has not been terrible – in fact, he leads the NFL with 16 touchdown passes and has a 97.4 passer rating. Against the Rams, he shook off a shaky first half to finish with 295 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 59.1% completion rate. Cousins Responds to Mendoza Speculation Cousins acknowledged the challenges the offence has been facing and was diplomatic yesterday when asked about the organization’s prized rookie, Mendoza, staring over his shoulder. “It’s really the same every day that it was in March or April,” he told reporters yesterday (Oct. 25). “Nothing changes. If I’m not the best option, then I don’t want to be out there either. I want our football team to have the best chance to win games. And in the first OTA (organized team activities), if that had become apparent, I would have been the first one to say, ‘Yeah, you can’t play me.’ “And you know the organization will do what they feel is best. I feel Fernando’s done a great job and has a bright future ahead. I’m going to try to go out there and play as well as I possibly can, help us win, and give him a great example to learn from, until he does go out there eventually.” The Raiders play the New York Jets this Sunday (Nov. 1). Golden Knights Prep for Ottawa The 8-4-0 Ottawa Senators are in Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights (8-4-1) tomorrow night (Oct. 27). Game time is 7 p.m. local time. Vegas is 5-2-0 at home. The team ranks sixth in the league with 46 total goals (averaging 3.5 per game). Ottawa is 3-2-0 on the road. Mark Stone leads the Golden Knights offensively with eight goals and seven assists. Jack Eichel has five goals and eight assists over the past 10 games. Mitch Marner is out for tomorrow night’s game for personal reasons. The post VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Raiders End Quarterback Speculation Amid Losing Streak appeared first on Casino.org.