Head coach says players made ‘business decisions’ against the Panthers
A game that looked very winnable for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into it ended up being anything but that.
The Raiders might have made the scoreboard look prettier with a couple of late touchdowns—one by Gardner Minshew and one by Aidan O’Connell—the Panthers were in control for just about all 60 minutes of game time, holding a 33-7 fourth-quarter lead before the garbage time scores.
Offensively, Las Vegas didn’t pick up where it left off and continue driving forward with the momentum it built last week. Instead, the unit went in reverse with five three-and-outs, an inept running game and a short ineffective passing attack. That led to Antonio Pierce switching quarterbacks at the end of the contest, giving Aidan O’Connell some playing time.
On the other side of the ball, the Raiders secondary gave up over 320 yards to Andy Dalton while Chuba Hubbard shredded them for 21 carries and 114 yards (5.4 ypc) with five catches, 55 yards and a touchdown as a receiver.
The team had checked out by the end of the game, so Pierce called out their effort in his post-game press conference and touched on the quarterback switch.
Pierce said players made “business decisions” and suggests some changes are going to be made based on that.
.@Raiders coach Antonio Pierce did not hold back: said some players made some “business decisions” today. Indicated the coaching staff will have to make some business decisions moving forward as a result.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) September 22, 2024
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce on the loss to the #Panthers:
“As the game went on, there were some individuals made business decisions, so we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”pic.twitter.com/LHLgWXpK8N
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 23, 2024
On the quarterback switch:
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce: “Game was out of hand. I have two QBs who battled, just let the other guy go in there and see what he can do.”
On AOC
— Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) September 22, 2024
No matter how many times it happens, losses like this still hurt.
Life as a Raiders fan. pic.twitter.com/GUGHlmg2jC
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) September 22, 2024
Yeah.
Same ol’ Raiders. pic.twitter.com/S9DmwXYBfw
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) September 22, 2024
Raiders ruining my mental health for another year pic.twitter.com/8t7SciiUK3
— Jewelz Santana! (@grandmajuggs) September 22, 2024
The Mayor of Flavor Town left Allegiant Stadium with a bad taste in his mouth.
The Chiefs have Taylor Swift
The Raiders have the Mayor of Flavortown
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 22, 2024
Davante Adams’ reaction will be cannon fodder for the mainstream media this week.
Davante Adams clearly does NOT want to play for the Raiders anymore
Pick up the phone, Adam Peters. Bring him home pic.twitter.com/cbDu4VKDe7
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) September 22, 2024
And during the home opener…
Yes Andy Dalton has been great… but we can’t let it slide how much of a disaster this game has been for the @Raiders . How do you let this happen after a huge win over Baltimore last week??
— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 22, 2024
What do you guys think?
Overconfidence, bad game-planning or just the sheer, dormant brilliance of Andy Dalton and Chubba Hubbard?
The Raiders were embarrassed by the winless Panthers, 36-22, in their home opener, and it wasn’t that close.— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 22, 2024
Any game that should be an “easy win” for the Raiders, never is and this needs to be studied.
Regardless of the outcome here, there needs to be a study on why the #Raiders are awful in these spots over the last 2 decades.
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) September 22, 2024
Should the Raiders cool it on the cigars moving forward? Is this loss that bad?
All due respect and not trying sound like a cranky old guy, but after this showing, #Raiders may want to put a hold on victory cigar tradition whenever their next win comes.
— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonNFL) September 22, 2024
