The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t wait until the end of the season to cast blame. They did it in Week 9.
Coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler were dismissed Tuesday night. Antonio Pierce will serve as interim coach when the Raiders host the New York Giants on Sunday.
Las Vegas (3-5) lost 26-14 to the Detroit Lions on Monday and only gained 157 yards of total offense. The second consecutive poor performance — the Raiders were routed 30-12 by the Chicago Bears a week earlier — showed owner Mark Davis that continuing with the current coach/GM tandem was not a good idea.
Pierce was promoted from linebackers coach, assistant general manager Champ Kelly was elevated to interim GM, and the Raiders made a change at offensive coordinator. Soon after, Pierce declared rookie Aidan O’Connell will replace veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback when the Raiders face New York (2-6).
“We just feel like it gives us the best chance,” Pierce said of O’Connell during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. It will be O’Connell’s second start and third appearance of the season.
Meanwhile, Pierce was clear about another thing.
“We’re tired of losing,” Pierce said. “It’s not a good feeling. We’re a production-based business.”
McDaniels went 9-16 in 1 1/2 seasons as coach and his offense floundered big-time this season.
Las Vegas’ season high for points is 21, and Garoppolo leads the NFL with nine interceptions. He has passed for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Raiders rank 30th in scoring offense (15.8 points per game) and 31st in total offense (268.3 yards per game) despite having star players such as running back Josh Jacobs and receiver Davante Adams on the roster.
Ironically, the Giants own the worst offense in the league and rank last in scoring (11.9), last in total offense (267.9) and last in passing offense (155.1).
Also of note is that Pierce is making his head coaching debut against the Giants. He played nine NFL seasons, and the last five were with New York (2005-09). He was a member of the squad that upset the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl following the 2007 regular season.
“How about that? Couldn’t write it up,” Pierce said. “But it’s not Antonio Pierce versus the New York Giants. It’s the Las Vegas Raiders versus the Giants. … Doesn’t matter what or who Antonio Pierce played for.”
Barring a setback, the Giants will have quarterback Daniel Jones back after a three-game absence due to a neck injury. He was a full practice participant on Wednesday.
“I feel good. I feel recovered,” Jones said. “I’ve had a few weeks here not playing, so I used that to stay in shape.”
The Giants will be glad to see Jones on the field. In last week’s 13-10 overtime loss to the New York Jets, the club set a dubious franchise record with minus-9 net passing yards.
“He’s been out here throwing so he’ll have his full workload this week,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of Jones.
Tyrod Taylor started for the Giants against the Jets and injured his ribs midway through the second quarter. Rookie Tommy DeVito entered and was called on to throw the ball just seven times, completing two for minus-1 yard.
DeVito is slated to back up Jones this week with Taylor out. Matt Barkley was signed to the practice squad as insurance.
The Giants also dealt defensive end Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday for two draft choices.
New York will be without tight end Darren Waller (hamstring), who was acquired in the offseason from the Raiders, his employers the previous five seasons. Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (back) were among the limited practice participants.
Five Raiders didn’t practice — linebackers Divine Deablo (ankle), Luke Masterson (concussion) and Robert Spillane (hand), fullback Jakob Johnson (concussion) and offensive tackle Thayer Munford (neck).
–Field Level Media