Antonio Pierce wants to end Raiders season ‘with a bang’

Jan 2, 2024, 11:36 AM

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 31: Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce talks with Greg Van Roten #70 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

Last Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention with a 23-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Now the team goes into Week 18, hoping to end the 2023 season with a .500 record, which would be an improvement from 2022. Even though there isn’t anything on the line, interim coach Antonio Pierce believes it’s important for his players and staff to end the year strong.

“I think our guys take pride in playing football. I think they love football. I think we have guys here that love football, I think we have coaches here that want to coach and see our guys win. It’s 2024, it’s a new year, it’s a great opportunity to go out with a bang at home. Get our fan base excited for what’s going to come in the future.”

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It’s been about nine weeks since Pierce took over for Josh McDaniels. And with one more game, the interim coach says he’s staying present, to focus on the Broncos. But, he knows each and every week, he’s learned something new and believes they’ve built a “solid foundation.”

“But this is a game regardless of how much you’ve played or been in, there’s always something new that comes up that you have to adapt and adjust to. That’s been a good part of the process of growing. Understanding players, coaches, the dynamic to maintain that at a high level each and every week, to bring it each and every week. And what that takes and what it looks like, I think that’s something that I’m going to reflect on and hopefully get better as I go along. At the end of day, everything will be looked at by wins and losses, and I think that’s fair and that’s what this business is about. I said that at the very beginning, its production based, and it’s about wins and losses.”