Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce made team owner Mark Davis forget about last week’s 3–0 loss to the Vikings by crushing the Chargers with a 63–21 victory four days later.
But Pierce has done a lot more than just embarrass a divisional rival in a prime-time matchup. He has a strong case to become the permanent coach in Las Vegas.
The Chargers, on the other hand, fired Brandon Staley after the dreadful performance. Will Los Angeles swing big by hiring Bill Belichick if he becomes available at the end of the regular season?
We take a look at the Chargers’ and Raiders’ coaching vacancies for this week’s “Fact or Fiction.”
Antonio Pierce should coach the Raiders in 2024
Manzano’s view: Fact
Remember when the 2023 Raiders’ offense failed to score above 20 points in eight games under Josh McDaniels as the coach? So much has changed for the better since Pierce took over as the interim coach in Las Vegas, including the 63 points dropped on the Chargers last week. Pierce’s team could have checked out a long time ago. Instead, the Raiders (6–8) are competing and have split their last six games. The coach quickly established a team identity, with a rugged defense and a physical, run-heavy offense. (Las Vegas rushed for 124 yards vs. the Chargers without Josh Jacobs.) Pierce has also shown a willingness to learn, evident by seeking advice from former NFL coaches Tom Coughlin, Marvin Lewis and Adam Gase. Yes, the Raiders need to find a franchise quarterback and more talent defensively. But the star players, including Davante Adams, have bought into Pierce, and the rookie class (including tight end Michael Mayer and wide receiver Tre Tucker) is producing. Davis needs to let Pierce build off what he’s done in the past six games, much of which the organization has not seen in a long time. Pierce can help his case by winning a few more games, as the Raiders finish the regular season at Chiefs, at Colts and vs. Broncos.
