HENDERSON, Nev.: The distinction within the perspective of the groups was fairly clear Thursday evening.
Los Angeles didn’t appear to be it was all that desirous about combating for coach Brandon Staley. On Friday, the Chargers fired him after one of many worst losses in franchise historical past.
Las Vegas performed as if it was absolutely invested in ensuring interim coach Antonio Pierce retains his job, the Raiders taking a report-setting 42-0 lead by halftime after which cruising to a 63-21 victory, a rating that amazingly appeared nearer than the precise sport.
Like the Chargers, the Raiders might’ve fallen aside, having misplaced 3-0 4 days earlier to Minnesota to increase their dropping streak to a few video games. They as an alternative performed impressed soccer towards LA.
“AP’s a dog,” broad receiver Davante Adams mentioned. “When you’re in the shoes we’re in now, it helps a lot. He understands the mindset. He understands the goal we have as a team, and I think everybody has rallied around him real tight to make sure he knows that we’ve got his back.”
No Raider has an extended and maybe extra emotional relationship with Pierce than cornerback Jack Jones, who performed for him at Long Beach (California) Poly High School and Arizona State.
It was Pierce who went after Jones when New England launched him Nov. 13.
“He means everything to me,” Jones mentioned. “He’s like a father figure.”
Pierce might really feel his gamers’ help throughout the week. He was as down as anybody after the embarrassing loss to the Vikings, however mentioned the gamers by no means wavered of their professionalism and dedication.
“I had to slap myself and get out of the funk, and they got me out of the funk,” Pierce mentioned. “I told them that on Tuesday, I told them that again (Thursday), hats off to our players because that’s what leaders and real men do. They bring others along with them, they brought me along and, hell, we kicked some (butt).”
Whether Pierce finally will get the job stays to be seen, and positively historical past and a frightening remaining schedule that features two street journeys don’t assist a lot.
Odds are proprietor Mark Davis will search for a splash rent, just like two years in the past when he went with Josh McDaniels relatively than keep in-home even after Rich Bisaccia led the workforce to the playoffs.
Pierce nonetheless has time to make his case, and he doesn’t have to fret about whether or not he has his gamers’ help.
WHAT’S WORKING
Jermaine Eluemunor had heard the criticism after giving up three sacks to Khalil Mack within the first assembly with the Chargers. He additionally had the double accountability of transferring from proper deal with to left to interchange injured Kolton Miller, Las Vegas’ finest offensive lineman. Eluemunor helped make Mack a nonfactor. Mack went from six sacks within the first sport towards the Raiders to zero on Thursday.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Hard to search out a lot fault after a exhibiting like this one towards the Chargers, however a part of what it so surprising was it appeared to come back out of nowhere. The Raiders not solely had been coming off the horrid loss to the Vikings, their offense has been ranked close to the underside all season. Maybe what wants work is discovering consistency as a result of if the Raiders stink it up at Kansas City on Christmas Day, this efficiency might be checked out extra as a one-off.
STOCK UP
DE Malcolm Koonce was all around the area, making two sacks, forcing two fumbles and registering three quarterback hits. He was a key a part of the protection that didn’t enable the Chargers to cross midfield till the third quarter when the sport was already out of hand.
STOCK DOWN
RB Josh Jacobs’ future is a matter as a result of he’s out with a quadriceps harm. The Raiders gave the opposite backs much more touches — and so they delivered. Zamir White rushed for 69 yards on a 4.1-per-play common, and Ameer Abdullah averaged 5.3 yards whereas gaining 32 yards. Brandon Bolden additionally scored on a 26-yard run out of the wildcat formation. It was at all times uncertain Jacobs would return subsequent season anyway, however the play of these backs has to ease the minds of administration.
INJURIES
The Raiders had been with out three starters — Jacobs, Miller (shoulder) and C Andre James (ankle).
KEY NUMBER
8 — The variety of Raiders who scored a landing, the fourth workforce to perform that feat and the primary for the reason that Los Angeles Rams in 1950. Only broad receiver Tre Tucker had multiple TD.
NEXT STEPS
Las Vegas has 10 days to prepare to go to the Chiefs.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
