The Raiders pulled off an **impressive comeback** in the final minutes of Sunday’s game in Baltimore, transforming from 10 points down to 26-23 winners over the Ravens. However, head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t dwelling on the way things ended.
Consistency is Key
Pierce emphasized on Monday that Sunday’s fourth-quarter effort is “what it needs to look like for all four quarters.” The Raiders punted on all three of their first-quarter possessions before turning the ball over in the second quarter and didn’t make it into the end zone until there were less than three minutes left in the third quarter. Talk about cutting it close!
Avoiding Complacency
As they prepare for a Week Three showdown with the struggling Panthers, Pierce wants his squad to shake off any complacency born from that victory.
“We’ve got a lot of things that we need to correct,” Pierce stressed. “It was a win yesterday, but there were a lot of things in that first quarter that were ugly, in that first half that were ugly, and in that third quarter that were ugly. We’re not worried about the Panthers. We’ve got to fix the Raiders.”
Fourth Quarter Focus
One thing the Raiders can undoubtedly take from their fourth-quarter heroics in Baltimore is this: get the ball to wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Brock Bowers. The team has struggled with the run game, but Adams and Bowers were the dynamic duo heroically slicing through the Ravens’ defense like a hot knife through butter. Incorporating them more heavily early in games could throw defensive strategies out the window, as opponents will be scrambling to cover the two playmakers.
- **First quarter**: A trio of punts that had Raider Nation holding its breath.
- **Second quarter**: A turnover that briefly sent us back to the drawing board.
- **Third quarter**: A touchdown so late it felt like sneaking in to the show just before the closing act.
Moving Ahead
Coach Pierce is like a maestro with a gameplan, making sure his symphony hits the high notes from the opening whistle to the final bell. If the Raiders can capture that fourth-quarter fire and spread it over 60 minutes, then even the most hapless of opponents will find themselves in deep water.
So, Raiders faithful, buckle up and keep the faith. If Pierce and his squad nail those corrections, the best of Raider charm is just around the bend, ready to hit the field sizzling hot and poised for a full-game domination!
