Despite an underwhelming start to their 2023 season, the Las Vegas Raiders have rallied behind interim coach Antonio Pierce. If we’re getting technical, the team is 2-0 under the former linebacker, but is his team about to get a reality check? Well, one often-panned analyst seems to think so.
Once a pupil of former Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels back in Denver during the 2009 season, Chris Simms had some harsh words regarding the Silver and Black. Pro Football Talk, headed by Mike Florio, will never win a popularity contest with Raiders fans. Still, we can’t help but pay attention.
“They [the Raiders] are 5-5, but it kind of fell just right for the Raiders. This little story book thing you got going here ends this week. It melts in the Miami sun. It melts when Tyreek Hill does his second backflip of the day after scoring a 60-yard touchdown. I just think the Miami defense is getting better. I think the week off Miami will recalibrate on the offensive side of the ball.”
Are the Raiders and Antonio Pierce in trouble this Sunday?
Florio and Simms are no strangers to riling feathers when it comes to the Raiders. In fact, Florio went so far as to defend McDaniels when owner Mark Davis dropped “the hammer,” so to speak, back on Halloween. Even still, it’s hard to argue against the facts. The Raiders’ next opponent that awaits them in Miami has one of the most explosive offenses in the league.
When looking at the scope of the Raiders’ last two victories, they were largely against lowly offenses. Sure, the defense has looked solid—dare I say “good” at times—but which of Patrick Graham’s defenders will be responsible for trying to slow down Tyreek Hill? How do you account for both Hill and Jaylen Waddle simultaneously? Also, the Raiders have been getting gashed while defending the run. Allowing nearly five yards per carry (4.9) could actually catch up with Pierce’s boys on Sunday.
Maybe Simms isn’t too far off base.
*Top Photo: Darrell Craig Harris, Raiders Today
