The disaster that has been the Las Vegas Raiders’ season has continued to only get worse.
On Monday, the Raiders dropped to 2-12 after falling to the Atlanta Falcons at Allegiant Stadium. Their losing streak now sits at 10 games, the worst in team history since a 13-game skid in 1962.
The final drive of the game being wiped out by penalties and questionable coaching decisions was frankly indicative of the Raiders’ season: a comedy of errors.
Now, frustration has gripped the Raiders in every aspect. Players are undoubtedly getting tired of the constant futility, while fans brought in signs on Monday night urging the team to tank for the number one pick in the 2025 Draft.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce continues to feel the heat with each passing loss, and his postgame press conference showcased that he is all too aware of the desperate situation he and his team are in.
“We need a break, we need a prayer … it just didn’t go our way,” Pierce said. “Guys are all in, we’re just not winning. I don’t know what else to tell ya, we’re just not winning.”
The most concerning part about this loss is it came in a game where the Falcons were clearly vulnerable. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw only 17 times in the effort, recording 112 passing yards, one touchdown and an interception. The Falcons were forced to run a one-dimensional offense, giving a Maxx Crosby-less Raiders defense a chance to prove their mettle.
Unfortunately, the Raiders failed to take advantage of their opportunities. The offense was stagnant for long stretches, with most of the damage being done in the fourth quarter. Running back Sincere McCormick went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter, and poor playcalling led to the Falcons getting a safety. Special teams did the Raiders no favors, either, with two blocked punts, a blocked extra point attempt and a fair catch at their own three-yard line that lead to the safety.
“Bad day at the office, really bad day at the office,” Pierce said. “We need all three phases to play well.”
The Raiders’ season has been over for a long time now, but Pierce now finds himself in dire straits. The next two games will be against the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints, who are both struggling massively and forced to start their backup quarterbacks. Then, they face the Los Angeles Chargers, who may not sit quarterback Justin Herbert or any of their starters after two straight losses have dampened their playoff ambitions.
“These guys are not budging,” Pierce said. “I am not budging. We’ll keep chopping wood and at some point, the damn thing will break and go our way.”
Pierce can say all of the right things, but the results have to swing the other way soon. With Black Monday less than a month away, he does not have much time remaining.
