When the Raiders returned from the bye week off on Monday, interim head coach Antonio Pierce said it felt like "the first day of school." He said his team was energized and the even though the bye week came late in the season, he said it might have been a benefit for the Raiders.
He said his main goal down the stretch in the final five games of the season, is to "maintain that winning stamina." He said he wants his team to start the second half of games with "the same juice and energy as in the first half." "We come out like bulls," Pierce said about the Raiders first half starts. "Our execution needs to be better."
Pierce cited the Raiders lack of making big plays. "We are leaving plays on the field. At some point we have to be so determined, we have to just do it." In the last loss to the Chiefs, the Raiders were tied with Kansas City at the end of the first half at 14-14. But, in the second half the Raiders could only muster a field goal. The previous week in Miami, the Dolphins shutout the Raiders in the second half 6-0, in a 20-13 loss. The Raiders defense has stepped up some in the second half under Pierce. But the offense hasn't been able to capitalize late in games.
"Our purpose and our intent is there," Pierce added. "You can't say the Raiders aren't playing harder (since I took over.)"
The Raiders are in danger of falling into last place in the division. They are currently tied with the Chargers at 5-7. This week's opponent for Las Vegas is Minnesota. The Vikings, despite losing starting QB Kirk Cousins, are still in the wild card picture. There are four NFC teams tied with 6-6 records.
The Raiders need to not just start fast, they need to finish in the second half to win Sunday and get back into the playoff hunt.