Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce admitted he had butterflies before leading his team to a 30-6 victory over the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium Sunday.
Pierce said the only times he's had butterflies in his career prior to Sunday, were in his first NFL game with the Giants and when he played in Super Bowl XLII in 2008, as New York upset the New England Patriots.
The win capped a wild five days at Raiders HQ. First, the firings of head coach Josh McDaniels, GM Dave Ziegler and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi late Halloween Night. Pierce, who still will coach linebackers, was named interim head coach by Mark Davis, Raiders team owner. Champ Kelly became interim G.M. and Bo Hardegree was promoted to interim offensive coordinator. Pierce decided immediately that Jimmy Garoppolo would be replaced by rookie Aiden O’Connell. It was a frenetic few days.
After installing offensive and defensive changes over three days, the Raiders executed better than they have in their previous eight games under McDaniels. After holding the Giants to a three-and-out in their first possession, Las Vegas marched 67 yards on six plays in their opening drive capped off by a Jakobi Meyers 17-yard jet sweep for the TD. From there, Josh Jacobs had two rushing touchdowns and Daniel Carlson booted his first of three field goals and the Raiders led 24-0 at halftime. It was the first time Las Vegas had scored more than 21 points in a game and they already surpassed that figure at the break. Carlson added 46 and 41 yard field-goals. The Giants scored their only touchdown early in the fourth quarter and their two-point conversion failed.
Giants starting QB Daniel Jones, who just came back from injury, suffered a non-contact right knee injury in the first half. He walked off the field under his own power but will have further tests on Monday in New York. It's feared he might have an ACL injury. He was replaced by backup Tommy DeVito who threw the lone touchdown to Wan'Dale Robinson and had two interceptions. Saquon Barkley ran for 90 yards on 16 carries in defeat.
Raiders rookie QB Aidan O'Connell threw for 209 yards on 16-of-25 passing. Pierce said he liked the effort by O'Connell. "He handled the tempo well," Pierce said. Adding he played with poise. Josh Jacobs wound up with 98 yards rushing and ran for two TDs. The Raiders defense also stepped up with 8 combined sacks of the Giants quarterbacks. Maxx Crosby had three sacks himself.
Pierce was impressed by the special teams execution and he said he had "a lotta love for the big guys," both interior lines.
The Raiders ended a two-game losing streak and improved to 4-5 with the New York Jets ahead next Sunday night. Pierce and the team savored the victory and smoked Victory Cigars afterward in the locker room.
Pierce said he is "humbled by the opportunity" to be the Raiders coach, no matter how long it lasts.