(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders have gone through a difficult period over the past few weeks.
After bad losses and trade rumors of some of their best players, the Raiders ended up firing their head coach and GM.
This left a vacancy in both roles, hoping their interim replacements could yield better results.
Antonio Pierce’s first game as interim head coach could not have gone better, as they dismantled the New York Giants, 30-6.
They started with a dominant 24-point performance in the first half, breaking a record on the season according to FOX Sports NFL.
As they point out, the Raiders’ 24 points in the first half was more than any full game under McDaniels this season.
The Raiders scored 24 points in the FIRST HALF of today’s game.
That is more than they scored in any full game with Josh McDaniels as head coach this season. pic.twitter.com/fa8BxmTl9O
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 5, 2023
At least for one game, Pierce was able to unlock the Raiders’ offense, something that was lacking to start the year.
His first move as head coach was to give Aidan O’Connell the starting nod at quarterback.
This is despite the front office signing Jimmy Garoppolo to a massive deal in the offseason.
While O’Connell didn’t throw any touchdowns, he didn’t throw any interceptions either.
He finished the game with 209 passing yards, completing 64% of his throws on the day.
This was just enough production through the air to test the Giants’ defense, resulting in a strong run game.
The Raiders finished the day with 125 rushing yards, led by a 98-yard masterclass from Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs contributed two touchdowns on the day, a sign that the run game was able to thrive under Pierce’s scheme.
Can Pierce continue to lead this team to a winning trajectory?
The post The Raiders Had A Notable Start To The Antonio Pierce Era appeared first on The Cold Wire.