Antonio Pierce blames others for the Raiders’ plight – but he is now under pressure too. A commentary.

The first heads have rolled at the Las Vegas Raiders. After the clear 24:41 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals, three coaches had to pack their bags.

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, offensive line coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello were released from their duties on Sunday.

Head coach Antonio Pierce justified the decision by saying that he felt changes were urgently needed.

Given the Raiders’ season so far – they are 2-7 after nine games – those changes certainly aren’t coming out of nowhere – but are they the right ones?

Pierce himself is primarily responsible for the Raiders’ plight. However, he is blaming others – a mistake that will yet come back to haunt him.

By the end of the season at the latest, the Raiders will have a different head coach on the sidelines.

Pierce resorts to actionism

Of course, with 17 touchdowns scored, the Raiders are in the bottom third of the league. This is partly due to the offensive coaches. But it is also due to Pierce.

Especially since it looks even worse statistically on defense. With 233 points allowed, the Raiders have the third-worst value in the NFL this season.

So what’s the argument for sticking with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham but firing Getsy and his offensive colleagues?

It seems a bit as if Pierce has fallen into actionism.

Pierce put pressure on Getsy

In doing so, one almost has to defend Getsy, who has also called some questionable plays. It’s true that Pierce had already warned him days ago, saying publicly that the “play calling has to get better” and that the “play caller is to blame for some missed opportunities for points”.

But the player material that he has had at his disposal recently is, admittedly, unparalleled in the NFL. And that’s not meant in a positive way.

With around 1,500 passing yards, starting quarterback Gardner Minshew has one of the worst stats in the league. Against the Bengals, he was even benched for backup Desmond Ridder.

But the pass receivers available to the two playmakers are no picnic either. At the latest since the trade of Davante Adams to the New York Jets, the only remaining notable wide receivers are Jacobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. Two receivers who would have to fight for a starting spot on NFL top teams.

With the running backs, a glance at the statistics is enough. The RB corps around Alexander Mattison and Zamir White is ranked 31st in the league in rushing yards.

Pierce is under pressure

You can see that Getsy had limited resources. Of course, the same applies to Pierce. But unlike the former offensive coordinator, the head coach has a bigger say in the roster planning.

The Raiders roster lacks quality across the board. Nevertheless, as head coach, it is Pierce’s responsibility to make the best of it. The longtime NFL linebacker has not yet managed to do so in the current season.

Whoever follows as offensive coordinator is irrelevant. It should be clear whose head will be next to roll in Sin City.

After five straight losses and the blame being placed on Getsy and Co., Pierce himself is now under a lot of pressure.

He had better make the most of his last chance, otherwise he won’t be on the Raiders’ sideline at the end of the season.