Antonio Pierce’s Raiders Beat Broncos In Finale
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Antonio Pierce and his Las Vegas Raiders team finished their NFL season with a 27-14 home win over the Denver Broncos at the Allegiant Stadium yesterday [January 7].
The convincing victory further stakes Pierce’s claim for the permanent head coach’s position after leading them to a 5-4 record since replacing Josh McDaniels on an interim basis on November 1.
Pierce, the son of Bermudian Cleo Burrows, is a former linebacker for the New York Giants, who he helped win the Super Bowl in 2008.
Maxx Crosby, the Raiders defensive end, believes it makes perfect sense to hand Pierce the coaching reins full-time.
“Why wouldn’t we keep going in the direction we’re going?” Crosby told AP.
“The fact we’ve come together and done something special in such a short time is hard to do.
“We’ve got a guy who’s played at the highest level, won a Super Bowl, he’s been a captain, and now he’s a great coach and he’s a leader.”
Pierce also reiterated his desire to become head coach of the AFC West franchise.
“I was having fun as the linebacker coach,” Pierce said. “That was cool, right?
“But it is really cool being the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s really cool being in front of a room with men who buy in and believe what you’re telling, what you’re saying, how to do things.
“I love football, man. I said before it’s my first love. Football never cheated on me. It doesn’t talk back to me. It’s always there.”
Quarterback Aiden O’Connell passed for 244 yards and threw two touchdowns in the Raiders win over the Broncos.
