Since Antonio Pierce assumed the role of head coach on Nov. 1, the Las Vegas Raiders defense has seen an incredible transformation, becoming a dominant force that has completely reshaped the team’s identity.
While national broadcasters and pundits were asking what was wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes on Christmas Day, as the Raiders beat their rivals 20-14, astute NFL observers and those who cover the team closely were marveling at how the Raiders’ defense stymied the defending Super Bowl champions.
It came in front of a record audience of 29 million viewers who saw one of the NFL’s best in-season stories continue to go unnoticed: The Raiders finally have a good defense.
But if you watched Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his future Hall of Fame brother, Jason, on their most recent podcast, they don’t give the Raiders too much credit for shutting them down on Christmas.
Which raises the question: Why aren’t people recognizing and acknowledging just how far the Raiders’ defense has come since Pierce took over as coach?
Las Vegas Raiders defense is putting up impressive numbers
For those late to the party or quick to dismiss the Raiders’ defensive rise, the proof continues to be in the numbers. Under Pierce’s leadership, the Raiders have made progress in almost every key defensive category. Consider this:
- The Raiders currently rank eighth in scoring defense in the NFL
- Las Vegas is third in the NFL in interceptions returned for touchdowns
- The Raiders currently lead the NFL in forcing opponents into three-and-outs on opening drives, and have done it nine times this season. The win against the Chiefs was the perfect example of this. They set the tone early on in the trenches, and Mahomes and Kansas City could never fully recover.
- Patrick Graham’s defense has allowed a touchdown on a mere five of the last 37 drives. That means opponents are reaching paydirt just 13 percent of the time.
- Las Vegas has notably improved in terms of yards allowed per game (332.7), ranked 16th overall. Last year, they ranked among the bottom-tier teams in that category.
- The Raiders have reduced points scored against them per game—a clear indication of their effectiveness during crucial moments, especially within the red zone—yielding an eighth-best 19.6 per game and just 12.7 points per game over the last three games, which is tops in the NFL over that span.
For all the turmoil and strife caused by former coach Josh McDaniels and his firing, what Pierce and Graham have been able to do has been remarkable, considering the circumstances. Clearly, Graham wasn’t allowed to call a more aggressive defensive game until Pierce empowered him to, and the results have been stunning.
Raiders are also developing young talent on their defense
In addition to their improved play overall as a unit, the Raiders’ defense has also seen both young players and veterans alike respond to the Raiders’ new attitude.
The best example is defensive end Malcolm Koonce. The third-year player entered 2023 with just two career sacks in two seasons and now has notched seven so far this year. All seven of his sacks have come since Pierce assumed head coaching duties and the more aggressive style has allowed the Raiders to find their bookend to superstar Maxx Crosby.
No longer is the Raiders’ defense simply the Maxx Crosby Show. With the emergence of Koonce, Las Vegas now has the two-headed pass rush monster it envisioned with rookie Tyree Wilson, whom they drafted seventh overall in last April’s draft.
Since Week 8, Crosby and Koonce have combined for 74 pressures, 14 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 32 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and 43 stops. The rise has been dramatic and sudden but sustained over the back half of the year.
But there’s more to it than Crosby and Koonce. Linebacker Divine Deablo, cornerbacks Nate Hobbs, Amik Robertson, and safety Tre’Von Moehrig have all stepped up, showing not just potential but actual high-level performance.
These players have brought energy, athleticism, and a new level of skill to the defense, contributing to a more dynamic and unpredictable unit that has flourished with the more aggressive approach.
Veterans also stepping up on Raiders defense
When the Raiders signed Pittsburgh Steelers veteran linebacker Robert Spillane, it was viewed as a pedestrian stop-gap signing for a unit that lacked experienced talent.
Instead of just being a warm body, Spillane has recorded his best season as a pro with 130 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and one forced fumble. He’s helped the Raiders become a run-stopping juggernaut, and his skill in reading plays and helping create turnovers has had a significant impact on the defense this season.
Add in a better inside defensive pass rush with Jerry Tillery, John Jenkins and Bilal Nichols, and the unit has become more efficient in halting running plays and creating pressure up the middle, which has been a key to this defensive turnaround.
Raiders defensive rebirth is one of season’s best untold stories
The story of the Raiders defense under Pierce has been not only ignored, but purposely pushed aside when it should be celebrated. While it might not be on par with the Cleveland Browns, it has been highly underrated despite their improvement.
If the Raiders’ offense could perform at a respectable level, there’s no doubt the Raiders would most likely be even more in the thick of the AFC playoff race. For those thinking Las Vegas was a lost cause set to rebuild under a new coach and GM, it’s simply not true. The discovery of their defensive identity has established a culture throughout the entire team and the improvement has been admirable.
Under Antonio Pierce’s leadership, the Las Vegas Raiders defense has become like their upstart leader, creating their resume on the field and turning what many thought was a liability into the team’s core strength. This transformation highlights the importance of coaching, player development and the tactical adjustments that have been put into motion since Pierce was named the team’s interim coach.
The Raiders’ defense is no longer reliant on one player. Rather, it operates as a cohesive and versatile group that deserves more recognition for its incredible turnaround.
This transformation goes beyond skill and strategy, as it embodies the essence of resilience and mental toughness that characterizes the Raiders’ defense in 2023. It serves as a symbol of hope, indicating not just a resurgence but also a brave revival of a Raider ethos of old.
It’s not about changing the way they play. It marks the beginning of an era where the Raiders, once considered underdogs, now stand ready to redefine their identity and team personality. With each game they aren’t simply winning battles or getting better — they are rewriting their future, boldly proclaiming and establishing what represents the modern Raider Way.