Rookie QB Aidan O'Connell Learning From Growing Pains

Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, the Las Vegas Raiders lost for the first time under Interim Coach Antonio Pierce. Rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell started for the third consecutive week and the fourth time in his career.

O'Connell finished the game with 271 passing yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. While he did enough to keep the Raiders in a game against a high-powered offense, he could not win the game for the Silver and Black.

The young quarterback shared the importance of converting on third down and playing well enough on first and second down to not be in third-and-long situations.

"I think before we get to third down is helping ourselves out in first and second down and not being behind the sticks," O'Connell said. "Second-and-long is hard to play from. It's hard to call plays from."

The Raiders converted only four of their 14 third down attempts against the Dolphins.

"So, trying to stay ahead of the sticks and manage the game better, I think, is something I'm trying to do, trying to learn just how to put ourselves in good situations," O'Connell said.

"Third down, those are hard downs to win. The pressure is amped up, and execution is at a premium. So, I think just putting pressure on ourselves throughout the week when we go over third downs to understand the importance of it and is the reason behind what we do."

O'Connell has faced two of the best defenses in the National Football League two weeks in a row and will face another on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs' defense. The rookie quarterback has learned that even in the NFL, sometimes keeping it simple is the answer.

"I think you've just got to take what the defense gives you, and sometimes there are opportunities down the field, and sometimes there are not," O'Connell said. "So, that's really my job is to assess quickly if the opportunity downfield presents itself and if it's a good option.

"If not, find something underneath. So, that something that's not unique to me as a quarterback, that's what the quarterback's job is, so that's what I'm trying to do on a week-to-week basis."

The Raiders have continued to find ways to play to O'Connell's strengths as a young quarterback in the NFL. He has played well since becoming the starter, but the Raiders are depending on O'Connell continuing to grow over the next six weeks.

The Silver and Black will return home next week to celebrate Thanksgiving and take on their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 26, at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST.

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