Raiders coach Antonio Pierce stands by late punt call in loss

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce defended his choice Sunday to punt on fourth-and-1 late in his staff’s 22-10 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

With the Raiders dealing with what Pierce known as “an extended 1” yard to transform from the Chargers’ 43-yard line and trailing 16-10 with 7:15 to play, Pierce opted to not go for it. The Raiders grew to become the primary staff since 2016 to punt on fourth-and-1 when in opposing territory and trailing by one rating within the fourth quarter.

Based on ESPN Analytics, Pierce’s choice dropped the Raiders’ win likelihood from 24.8% in the event that they went for it to 19.1% with the punt.

And whereas the Raiders pinned the Chargers on their 8-yard line on the punt, Los Angeles put collectively a 92-yard landing drive, keyed by a 61-yard burst up the left sideline by working again J.Okay. Dobbins.

“I imply, we acquired what we needed,” Pierce stated of Raiders punter AJ Cole placing the Chargers deep in their very own territory, with Las Vegas nonetheless holding three timeouts.

Pierce stated he trusted the protection, which had saved the Chargers in examine as much as that time, to keep up.

“However they broke off the lone run, and that was the top of it,” he stated.

Technically, three snaps later, Justin Herbert hit Ladd McConkey on a 10-yard landing cross, earlier than the Chargers tried a 2-point conversion that was stopped by the Raiders earlier than a struggle broke out that resulted within the ejections of Las Vegas cornerback Jack Jones and Los Angeles receiver Joshua Palmer.

Mentioned Pierce: “A variety of issues issue into not going for it on fourth-and-1.”

Reminiscent of: Raiders working again Zamir White was hit for a 1-yard loss after they did go for it on fourth-and-1 from their very own 41-yard line within the first quarter — a sequence after he was stopped for no achieve on third-and-1 on their very own 30-yard line. White additionally misplaced a fumble after an 8-yard pickup within the third quarter.

Plus, the Raiders acquired into the crimson zone solely as soon as all the recreation.

The Raiders did ponder going for it within the fourth quarter.

“That is Coach’s choice,” stated quarterback Gardner Minshew, who accomplished 25 of 33 passes for 257 yards with a landing but additionally misplaced a fumble and threw an interception in his Raiders debut.

“However I feel anyone that is a ballplayer desires the ball of their palms with the chance to assist the staff.”

Raiders receiver Davante Adams was requested whether or not he would have most well-liked going for it.

“I imply, my job is to run routes and do what’s known as,” stated Adams, who caught 5 passes for 59 yards. “I do not actually get into that.”