A clear example came during their Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With 1:57 left in the first half, trailing 14-10 and starting at their own 30-yard line, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy called a short pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers that gained no yards, followed by a run to running back Ameer Abdullah for just two yards. The Chiefs used their second timeout, and the Raiders ultimately failed to convert on third down, allowing Kansas City to reclaim possession and add a field goal before halftime.

In that situation, many would expect a more aggressive approach. While there were no guarantees the Raiders would score, they could have capitalized on the opportunity rather than playing conservatively. Head coach Antonio Pierce’s explanation only fueled frustration, stating, “We wanted to score but, more importantly, we wanted to keep the clock running,” according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic.

However, clock management shouldn’t have been a primary concern until they were advancing down the field. This cautious end-of-half approach reflects a larger issue with Getsy and Pierce’s coaching style, which seems surprisingly reserved for a team supposedly led by a tough-minded head coach and former player like Pierce.

The Raiders may need to seriously consider their coaching situation. As the season continues to slip away, it’s becoming apparent that Getsy and Pierce may not be the right fit to lead this team in the long run.