Raiders-Chargers score: Progress was not made

Now, we await Antonio Pierce’s fate

Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders played a much better team that had something to play for and thus, the Raiders looked like an overmatched team as they did most of the season.

The Los Angeles Chargers, who clinched the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, took over the Raiders late in the second half and easily won 34-20 to end the season. It was a rude clap back to reality after the Raiders won two games against fellow also-rans Jacksonville and New Orleans the past two weeks.

Now, a disappointing 4-13 season (the 13 losses are tied for the second most in team history) is over and all eyes on on coach Antonio Pierce. Last month, Raiders owner Mark Davis said he wanted to see progress made down the stretch and he would evaluate Pierce after the season.

Sunday morning, NFL Media reported the thought inside the Raiders’ building is that Pierce will be safe because his young and injured team played hard. After the game, Pierce said “no comment” to questions about his job security.

The Raiders are 9-17 under Pierce. Davis fired Josh McDaniels in 2023 with a 9-16 record.

Now, the wait is on.

Here are some key aspects of the game:

Picking 6th:

The Raiders entered the day slotted to pick at No. 8 in the 2025 NFL draft. They ended up with the No. 6 pick. The teams with the top three picks, Tennessee, Cleveland and the New York Giants, all need quarterbacks and only Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are considered worth top picks. So, the Raiders may have to get creative as they try to find their next quarterback and there is a chance the wait for a potential young franchise quarterback may have to wait, at least, yet another year.

Great season, Brock:

Raiders star rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who received love from Pierce before the game, had a fairly quiet game with four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in the final seconds. but it was a brilliant season as he set all kinds of records and had 112 catches for 1,194 yards. It was one of the greatest season by an NFL tight end ever. What a tremendous building block he is.

Don’t compete again:

While the team always played hard, they weren’t very competitive this season, The Raiders trailed by double digits in 15 of 17 games. They lost by double digits nine times (tied for the most in team history) and were outscored by 125 points, which was sixth worst differential in the league. That’s a tough look for Pierce.

AFC West problem:

The Raiders went 0-6 in the AFC West. It was the fourth time in team history they went winless in the division. All three of the other teams in the division are going to the playoffs. They are have strong head coaches and excellent quarterbacks. So, the Raiders must figure out how to compete with that reality for the long haul.

Herbert goes off:

They Raiders played some weak quarterback play lately. That wasn’t the case Sunday. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert lit the Raiders up as he completed 28 of 36 for 346 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. he also had a 41-yard run to set up a score.

Penalties increase:

The Raiders had 96 penalties in 2024. It was up from 75 a season ago. But the good news is it was the first time the Raiders went consecutive seasons with 100 penalties since a stretch from 1970-74.

Can’t run:

The Raiders’ had their best rushing game of the season in Week 17. It was back to the season-long ground issues in the finale. They had just 39 yards on the ground.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

AOC is so-so:

Raiders’ quarterback Aidan O’Connell was his typical just average self. He made some plays, but he also had a bad interception that helped change the game. He is serviceable, but he didn’t show he should be the clear starter in 2025.

What about the coordinators?
If Pierce does stay, there could still be big changes to the coaching staff. Pierce would need to decide if he wants to keep interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner — who replaced the fired Luke Getsy in November — or find a replacement. Also, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is reportedly a free agent and he could leave for another position. So, change could be coming whether Pierce is retained or not.

Good for Meyers:

Raiders’ No. 1 wide receiver Jakobi Meyers needed 96 yards receiving to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark and he got it. It was the first time he’s gone it. Meyers finished the season with nine catches for 123 yards. It was a nice season for Meyers, who took on a bigger role after the Davante Adams trade in October. He had 87 catches for 1,027 yards, both career highs.

Tough day for rookie:

Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston picked on fourth-round pick, cornerback Decamerion Richardson. Johnston finished with 13 catches for 186 yards. the rookie struggled a lot since taking over for the injured Jakorian Bennett several weeks ago.

Not a great stat:
Raiders’ cornerback Jack Jones allowed his 10th touchdown catch of the season, according to Pro Football Focus. It is tied for the most in the league. While he can be explosive and a ball hawk, it wasn’t a great season for Jones. He makes some plays, but he allows a lot of plays as well.

Butler balling:
Raiders’ defensive lineman Adam Butler had a sack in the first quarter. He had, at least, a half sack in six of the final eight games. He quietly had another nice season. He is a free agent and the Raiders will want to bring him back,

Spillane balls out:

Linebacker Robert Spillane had another 10-plus tackle game. It was the 18th of his career. It was his eighth double-digit tackle game of this season. He had 16 tackles Sunday, which is tied for the second most in a game for the Raiders in the past 30 years. He had another strong season for the Raiders. he will be a free agent and the team will likely try to extend him.