Marshawn Lynch, a pair of cameras dangling from his neck after his gameday assignment of shooting Monday Night Football, went from photographer to philosopher as he sat with Ashton Jeanty and Geno Smith at the rookie running back's locker.
A few minutes later, with reporters beginning to assemble and converge, Lynch and Smith moved over so they could chop it up solo in front of the quarterback's stall.
Then Pete Carroll came in and gave Smith a hug and added a few words of encouragement.
Yeah, there were pep talks galore in the Raiders locker room following their sobering 20-9 home-opening loss to the Chargers and, truth be told, they were just as needed as they were welcomed.
Because Smith, a week after a statement performance in New England, authored a game he would rather forget against the Chargers. He was picked off a career high-tying three times while completing just 24 of 43 attempts for 180 yards and a 37.0 passer rating, the worst of his career as a starter since a 35.7 for the Jets in 2014.
And on passes of at least 10 yards downfield against the Chargers, Smith was 0-12 with the three INTs as the Raiders dropped their seventh straight game against an AFC West opponent, dating to last season.
What a bummer, especially with the electric atmosphere provided by the primetime crowd of 62,526 at Allegiant Stadium.
As halftime performer Lil Jon would say, "What?"
"I've got to learn from it," Smith said. "This game is all about learning from your experiences. I've had similar games in the past where the ball is bounced in an unfortunate way, or I haven't made the best decision on a given play, or the best throw. That's a part of the game, but you can never just say you can flush it.
"You've got to learn from it, and so I'm going to be super hard on myself, extremely hard on myself, because that's all I know. I'm going to get better this week, find ways to get better from this film, and we'll be better as a team as well."
Fair enough, and admirable.
Consider: Smith was taking the same chances he did a week earlier against the Patriots, trying to thread needles while unleashing deep balls. The Chargers defensive backs, though, were more hawkish than their New England counterparts, and Smith paid the price, getting intercepted on a tipped ball on the first play of the game then later inside the 5-yard line and in the end zone.
Oof, times three.
Carroll said he would have preferred Smith checked down to, namely, underneath routes.
And yet…
Brock Bowers being limited by his injured left knee was a factor in the first-team All-Pro tight end being, well, less a factor than usual.
"Geno's a 70 percent guy, and he wasn't that tonight, and more so was because of the attempts that we made," Carroll said. "I thought that took away from that, and we've just got to take what's given to us. I'm not sure that that's the case until I see the film, but I bet that's what it is."
It was.
You'd think the affable Carroll would be a big fan of Ted Talks. How about being on the receiving end of a Beast Mode Talk?
Lynch gave Jeanty advice on how to sell-out on play-action, to remember to "get those legs up" on certain runs.
"Just all the little things," said Jeanty, who rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries but was curiously on the sidelines late in the first half, replaced by Zamir White and Dylan Laube.
Yeah, there was a certain balance missing. Then again, the Raiders were chasing the Chargers all night.
"What that really feels like is a real missed opportunity, just in general," Carroll said. "But in the division, it's a real opportunity, and we didn't play well enough on the offensive side, with the turnovers that add up.
"We know we missed the opportunity, and there's so many different ways that we'll get better."
While every game in the NFL feels like a season unto itself, the silver lining here is the Raiders still have 15 games to go. And it begins with an even shorter-than-usual week courtesy of another cross-country trip, this one to Washington.
"I feel like I've got to be a lot better for our guys," Smith said. "I know I have to, and I will be.
"I'm never going to make any excuses about anything. I've got to be better. We've got to be better, and we've got a short week to improve on that."
But plenty of time for more pep talks.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense huddles during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a 54-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18), wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) and safety Chris Smith II (29) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a 40-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
A view of Allegiant Stadium during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Brennan Jackson (54) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) and wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
