One week, after his team came back from a 10-point deficit to win in Baltimore, Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce, criticized the Raiders for not putting in enough effort during their home opener.
“As the game went on,” Pierce said, “I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions. And we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”
The previously winless and struggling Carolina Panthers took a 14-point lead at halftime and went on to win 36-22 on Sunday. The Raiders (1-2) lost for the 59th time in a row when trailing by 14 or more points at halftime, according to Stathead.
“It’s poor, it’s just not good enough,” Pierce said. “The crowd was ready. I appreciate the crowd, (and) everybody showing up, they did their part — we did not. “We got our (butt) whooped.”
Las Vegas never led in the game and allowed more than 21 points in two of the nine games since Pierce became the interim coach last season. The Raiders, now 17-18 at Allegiant Stadium, have given up over 21 points in all three games this year with Pierce as the full-time coach.
The Raiders allowed the Panthers to score on eight of their 11 drives, not counting the final series where the Panthers kneeled down. They have let opponents score on 45.9% (17 of 37) of their drives this season.
Before Week 1, Pierce emphasized the importance of strong starts. However, the Raiders have trailed at halftime in all three of their games, showing problems on both sides of the ball.
“It’s just the lack of the details on some of the small stuff that we coach every day, that we try to work every day,” safety Tre’von Moehrig said. “Got to get back in there tomorrow and get back to the fundamentals and the basics of what we know how to do.”
Las Vegas entered the game having given up the fifth-most rushing yards and the second-most yards per carry in the league. However, the Panthers focused on passing, with veteran Andy Dalton throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
The Raiders thought they would be ready after facing Justin Herbert of the Chargers and MVP Lamar Jackson of the Ravens in the first two weeks, and then playing against a 36-year-old quarterback who hadn’t started since Week 3 of last season.
But Dalton, who took over for the benched Bryce Young, easily took advantage of a Raiders defense that couldn’t apply consistent pressure, gave too much space to Carolina’s receivers, and struggled with communication on defense.
All nine of Carolina’s plays that gained 15 or more yards were through the air.
The Raiders had entered Week 3 with the fewest penalties in the league, committing only five, but against Carolina, they were flagged for six penalties totaling 54 yards.
On offense, Las Vegas converted only 3 of 11 third downs. They had one turnover but held the ball for a season-low 23:58.
“The way we came in against the Baltimore Ravens, underdogs, that’s how they came and attacked us, simple as that,” cornerback Nate Hobbs said.
“We weren’t focused enough on our job. We didn’t strain harder than them. They strained harder than us. They came out there with a purpose. We came out there thinking we were gonna have the upper hand for no reason.
“There’s a lot of people who were locked in. There’s a lot of guys on our team who did their job. I feel like I had a couple of plays I didn’t do my job. I wasn’t focused enough and I’m putting that on me.
There’s a lot of guys who did do their job. But it doesn’t work if all 11 aren’t constantly doing it. You’re gonna miss a play here and there, but you got to make more than you don’t.”
