After opening the 2023 NFL season with a Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders have registered two straight losses. Despite the 1-2 start, Rich Eisen isn’t hitting the panic button on the Silver and Black’s season. However, is Eisen’s voice enough for the fanbase to trust that the team can get out of this early hole?
Las Vegas’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers might have been the gut punch that caused fans to panic. Furthermore, it’s how the team lost, considering the decision to go for a field goal late, that confused many, like ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky.
There’s plenty of news after the loss to the Steelers, so let’s get into the latest.
Rich Eisen Isn’t Throwing In the Towel on the Raiders’ 2023 season
When Las Vegas got off on the right foot with a 17-16 win over Denver, it likely created optimism within the fanbase. Now, when the Raiders fell in a lopsided result to the Buffalo Bills, it was a reality check, but to go 1-1 on the road to start this season was the likely scenario many envisioned.
Nonetheless, the 23-18 loss to the Steelers on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium has generated full-blown panic. Whether it’s the “Fire Josh McDaniels” or “They should’ve drafted Jalen Carter” crowd, many fans are venting their frustration with the team.
Still, Eisen isn’t ready to mark this as a disappointing season for the Raiders yet. The NFL pundit notes that it’s still early, which he’s right, as Las Vegas has only played three games—additionally, Eisen points to two winnable games that are next on their schedule.
“I’m not worried about the Raiders just yet,” Eisen said on The Rich Eisen Show Monday. “No, it’s still early … I’m not worried about it … If they lose [to the Green Bay Packers] with Davante Adams, then he’s going to really crumble—the Packers in the house with Jordan Love. You should win that one.
The Raiders will head to SoFi Stadium for what will feel like a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Both AFC West rivals will be battling to get back to .500; meanwhile, the loser of the contest will find themselves in an even bigger hole at 1-3.
What do you say, Raiders fans? Do Eisen’s words calm you down? Or is it too late, and it’s time to put the Silver and Black into the Caleb Williams sweepstakes? Let us know.
Josh McDaniels’ field goal decision leaves ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky confused
The head-scratching moment in the Raiders’ loss to the Steelers was the conservative play-calling by head coach Josh McDaniels. Down 23-15 and in Pittsburgh territory late in the fourth quarter, the 47-year-old opted for the three points rather than going for the tie late in the game.
McDaniels’ thought process that the Raiders would get the ball again failed. The Steelers ran out most of the remaining clock, securing one crucial first down just ahead of the two-minute warning, and beat the Raiders 23-18. Orlovsky did his best to analyze the decision but still offered a confused tone.
“You’re going against an elite defense,” Orlovsky said on The Pat McAfee Show Monday. “So are you going to have the opportunity to get the ball back, and then if you get the ball back, go down the field again and score when you haven’t had a ton of success that night? I just sit there and go with Davante and Jakobi Meyers. You’ve got to go for it on fourth down there.”
Maybe McDaniels can learn from this lesson and develop a more aggressive approach when trailing. Still, it was a costly mistake knowing that a touchdown and two-point conversion would have evened the scoring and perhaps given the Silver and Black a different outcome.
*Top Photo: The Rich Eisen Show
