HENDERSON, Nev. — Antonio Pierce, known for his defensive coaching background, expressed discomfort with the Raiders’ approach of throwing the ball 43 times in their recent 34-19 defeat against Miami. Pierce explained that the heavy passing was a necessity as the team found themselves playing from behind. He emphasized the need for the Las Vegas offense to establish a ground game, noting that their initial attempts resulted in 12 carries for 49 yards in the first half. However, the reality is that the Raiders have struggled to maintain a consistent rushing attack this season, creating a notable issue for the team.
Despite his hesitation, Pierce acknowledged that the Raiders’ situation may demand airing the ball out. It appears that passing may be their most viable option for success. “Not to reference other teams too much, but even elite quarterbacks can throw 40 times and it still doesn’t guarantee a win,” Pierce remarked. “Finding that balance is crucial, and it’s something we’re actively working towards.”
Struggling at 2-8, the Raiders have lost their last six games, and the offensive statistics reflect their difficulties. They rank 30th in yards per game with 285.0, hold the last position in rushing with an average of 75.2 yards, and are 25th overall in scoring with 18.7 points per game. Gardner Minshew continues as the starting quarterback and performed adequately against the Dolphins, completing 30 of his 43 attempts for 282 yards, along with two touchdowns and an interception.
With the Dolphins successfully neutralizing the deep threats, Minshew focused on shorter, strategic throws, particularly targeting tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers’ performance was impressive, as he caught 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. New interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner is seeking to maximize the potential of the siege that has befallen their offense—a situation characterized by a lack of downfield threats coupled with a non-existent running game, resulting in a one-dimensional attack.
Minshew weighed in on the team’s morale and efforts, stating, “We’re down right now. I’ve been on teams where you give up, but that’s not us. We work hard in practice, and we show up to lift on Mondays. Although we haven’t produced the results we want and have faced challenges, I believe if we stick to our process and keep improving, things will turn around.”
On a positive note, Bowers has been having an outstanding rookie season. He has become only the second rookie tight end to record at least 10 catches in two separate games, joining the ranks of Jeremy Shockey from 2002. His performance against the Dolphins marked the highest number of receptions for a rookie tight end since at least 1960.
However, the team’s defense has faced significant challenges. By the end of the game against Miami, several key defensive players were sidelined due to injuries, including two linemen, three cornerbacks, and a safety. Pierce noted the difficulty of maintaining a robust lineup, encouraging his staff to focus on developing younger players during this tough stretch.
In terms of performance metrics, Bowers’ stock is on the rise, ranking second in the NFL with 70 receptions and having amassed 706 receiving yards before Monday night’s game. Conversely, the defense has shown a worrying trend, managing to force neither turnovers nor punts during the Miami game—an event that has only happened once before in the franchise’s history.
The Raiders faced additional injury setbacks with key players like cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) unable to compete against the Dolphins, while other cornerbacks and running backs also exited the game due to injuries. Pierce had no updates regarding their conditions on Monday.
Looking ahead, the Raiders are one of six NFL teams to have trailed by double digits in each of their first ten games, a statistic that underscores their ongoing struggles. Next up, Las Vegas will host their AFC West rival, Denver (6-5), marking their only home game in a challenging stretch of five games over six weeks.