Going into week 3 of the 2024 NFL season the Las Vegas Raiders were highly favored against the Carolina Panthers. Losing how the Raiders did against underdog opponents can only be described as embarrassing. The team failed in every game phase except maybe special teams. Head coach Antonio Pierce then called out players who made “business decisions” that affected the game’s result and how the staff would make their own business decisions in response. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the Raiders’ failure as a team against the Panthers.
Raiders’ Embarrassing Week 3 Loss Takeaways
Coaching Failures
Coach Pierce’s comments regarding players making “business decisions” that negatively affected the game’s outcome got national attention from his postgame presser. Pierce likely meant that after a loss like that things need to change and tough decisions need to be made. However true his comments, Pierce’s players made these business decisions. As a coaching staff, this was by far their worst outing. A lot of the blame for this loss lies with Pierce given the team was unprepared for this game. He doesn’t bite his tongue and says all the right things, but it’s gonna take a lot more than words to get the season back on track. Hopefully calling out his players as Pierce did is what some of these players need.
The Panthers coming into this game had the worst run defense in the NFL, so the Raiders run-game had a chance to turn around their abysmal season with a solid game plan. This was a point of emphasis for Pierce the week leading up to the game, but offensive coordinator Luke Getsy didn’t seem to get the memo come Sunday. The entire offense stalled finding no consistency from drive to drive, especially running the ball. Getsy is leading one of the if not the worst statistical rushing offenses through three weeks since the year 2000.
The Raiders have become extremely one-dimensional relying on a dangerously average pass game and Gardner Minshew to bail them out. Their offense has only played one good quarter of football this season and it won them a close game against Baltimore. Getsy needs to start adjusting yesterday because his strategy and game plan have been inferior against beatable opponents. Wide receiver Davante Adams made it known post-game that this offense has no identity. They aren’t known for anything, but being inconsistent and average at best. The only positive that can be taken from a coaching standpoint is that the Raiders are the least penalized team in the NFL heading into week 4.
What Happened To The Defense?
Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham arguably had his worst showing as a Raider against the Panthers on Sunday. The defense was riddled by the ‘Red Rifle’ Andy Dalton. The defensive line as a whole was dominated in the trenches giving Dalton chances to work in the pocket. Perhaps they came in thinking that the Panthers had no chance. The Raider defense forgot they were in the same boat against Baltimore a week prior. They allowed Andy Dalton to become the first quarterback in 2024 to gain over 300 yards passing and three-plus touchdowns. A lack of pressure up front, broken coverage, and great plays by the Panthers took the Raiders apart. The Raider linebackers and safeties were also exposed in coverage this week watching balls fly past them for long passes or first downs.
Maxx Crosby played through an injury he likely shouldn’t have this early in the season. Granted, at 80 percent Crosby is better than the majority of defensive linemen in the league. Crosby’s determination and dedication are admirable as a captain, but someone needs to save him from himself before he does more damage. Team leader Marcus Epps unfortunately left the game with what turned out to be a season-ending injury after a strong performance. The defense still has a lot of potential but can’t find any consistency so far. Injuries to players like Crosby and Epps don’t help either, but that’s the nature of football.
The Good, The Bad, And The Offense
The Raiders’ offense finished really strong a week prior against the Ravens and couldn’t bring that momentum into week three against the Panthers. They can’t run the ball or get any kind of consistency going whatsoever. After right tackle Thayer Munford was ruled out, DJ Glaze came in and didn’t do too bad all things considered. The Raiders also subbed in coveted rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson at right guard to play alongside Glaze, which didn’t make much difference. On paper, many thought Powers-Johnson would replace left guard Cody Whitehair who is doing much worse than starting right guard Dylan Parham according to Pro Football Focus grades. Putting Powers-Johnson next to a fellow rookie over their best offensive linemen statistically is odd. Nonetheless, switching up the offensive front didn’t do anything to help the Raiders get on track.
The offense has turned in 11 subpar quarters of football, 12 sacks allowed, and is dead last in every meaningful rushing statistic. The Raiders need a drastic change. Their team is third in passing yards this season in the NFL, which currently means nothing if they can’t put a drive together to score points. Teams around the league can now see that the Raiders can’t run and only have to focus on defending the passing game. Their problems as a team stem from the offense’s inability to play consistently and balance their defense’s time on the field. Coordinator Luke Getsy and Coach Pierce need to get those “business decisions” with the offense right quickly if they want any chance at getting the season back on track.
Pierce’s comments at post-game press conferences are becoming the main focus of media members each week. This week was no different even though his comments were harsher than people were expecting. Three weeks into the season it’s time to stop talking about hard play, running the football, or consistency and just do it. Otherwise, all this season will amount to is talking points or conspiracy theories about why Davante Adams will get traded every week.
