Raiders HC stands by head-scratching decision vs. Chargers

Antonio Pierce. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce stands by head-scratching decision vs. Chargers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 9, 2024 4:40 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is still defending a questionable choice he made on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

With the Raiders trailing 16-10 and 7:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, they punted on a fourth-and-1 at the Chargers' 43-yard line instead of going for it. Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert then led an eight-play, 92-yard drive, throwing a 10-yard touchdown to rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

"I get analytics. I get what's going on," Pierce said in a Monday news conference, via Jesse Merrick of KSNV-TV in Las Vegas. "But the ball is at the [Chargers'] 8-yard line. Our defense at that time has only given up 200 yards of total offense. That's the strength of our team."

#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce on the decision to punt on 4th & 1 from the 43 when they were down six a day after making the call:

“I get analytics…our defense at the time has only given up 200 yards of total offense. That's the strength of our team” pic.twitter.com/IeiyWiWJDd
— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) September 9, 2024

Citing ESPN Analytics, Paul Gutierrez reported the punt dropped the Raiders' win probability from 24.8 percent to 19.1 percent.

In the 22-10 loss, the Raiders offense only logged 296 yards on 59 plays and converted 5 of 14 third-down attempts. Perhaps the unit's struggles contributed to Pierce's decision.

"There was no ill intent on that play," The Athletic's Vic Tafur said on Monday episode of the "Just Win" podcast. "It was kind of backing down a little bit, so I get it. It definitely is a reason why it hasn't been done before [because] it doesn't make sense in terms of analytics and stats and just in terms of wanting to know your team has confidence in them. At that point, he didn't have confidence in the offense, and I can see why he didn't."

Still, not taking a risk in this situation seems like a massive mistake. If the Raiders did go for it on fourth down and converted it, that could've helped their offense find its flow.

It also would've given Vegas' defense a needed breather. Before Pierce punted, the Chargers had two 60-plus-yard drives on their four previous possessions, via CBS Sports' John Breech.

Pierce's late-game management must improve. Otherwise, it could result in more frustrating losses for the club.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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