Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce had a harsh message for some of his players on Sunday following a Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
During Pierce’s press conference after the 36-22 loss, one reporter noted to the coach that, “The team just didn’t seem to show up tonight.”
The coach agreed.
“No, they didn’t,” Pierce said. The coach then shifted his focus away from the entire team and focused on a few (unnamed) specific players. “I think as the game went on — I don’t think it was the team — I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions. And we’ll make business decisions going forward, as well.”
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce after Sunday’s loss.
“I think as the game went on — I don’t think it was the team — I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions. And we’ll make business decisions going forward, as well.”pic.twitter.com/CPTinIi49J
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 23, 2024
It’s tough to argue.
Before Sunday’s game, the Panthers were on the receiving end of some sharp — and generally well deserved — criticisms. But on the field, Carolina convincingly earned its first win of the season against Las Vegas. Some of the credit, of course, has to go to the Panthers. Perhaps the much-discussed quarterback change gave Carolina a significant jolt. But even accounting for that, it’s hard to ignore how much better the Panthers were on Sunday than they were in Weeks 1 and 2.
The 36 points Carolina scored on Sunday came after the Panthers scored 13 total points in their first two games. Carolina gained 437 yards from scrimmage, against Vegas. By contrast, the Panthers gained 352 total yards in the first two games and didn’t top 200 in either one of them. Carolina also picked up more first downs in Week 3 (24) than it had in Weeks 1 (11) and 2 (7) combined. Sure, the Panthers deserve credit — but the Raiders also deserve blame.
And if Pierce’s comments prove true, at least some of the Las Vegas players who deserve blame for Week 3’s performance won’t be there in Week 4.
About Michael Dixon
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