Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is heading back home for Week 1 but has something bigger on his mind

Everyone knows by now that the Las Vegas Raiders head coach, Antonio Pierce, is a Raider through and through, primarily because he grew up a fan in Southern Los Angeles, California. Now, he's the coach of his childhood team. It doesn't get much better than that.

Coincidentally, the Las Vegas Raiders play the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. Yes, it’s an away game on the schedule, but let’s be honest, it’s a home game for the Raiders out in Los Angeles. Every time the Raiders show up to Sofi Stadium against the Chargers or even the Los Angeles Rams, there is silver and black everywhere.

This is also a home game for Pierce. And, while that makes for a great story and all -- you know since he was never a head coach playing in Los Angeles last season, this is special for him.

But he's focused on other things.

"No, it is cool going back home," Pierce started with the media on Wednesday. "But it's not about Antonio Pierce, it's about the Raiders. We're trying to get our first divisional win against a really good opponent, who's going to be motivated, well-coached, physical, and tough. I mean, we got to bring our hard hats. 

"So, this is not about me going back home. I could go back home whenever I want to in the offseason, this is a business trip and that's how we're approaching it."

The last time the Raiders played the Chargers in LA, the Raiders allowed Aidan O'Connell to get sacked six times, all by Khalil Mack. The last time these two teams played in general, though, the Raiders dropped 63 points, a franchise record.

It's clear that this team could potentially do the same, even if it is Justin Herbert at QB this time and not Easton Stick. Pierce is getting ready to try and replicate that game.