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Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Workers Author
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce defended his resolution Sunday to punt on fourth-and-1 late in his group’s 22-10 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
With the Raiders dealing with what Pierce known as “a protracted 1” yard to transform from the Chargers’ 43-yard line and trailing 16-10 with 7:15 to play, Pierce opted to not go for it. The Raiders turned the primary group since 2016 to punt on fourth-and-1 when in opposing territory and trailing by one rating within the fourth quarter.
Based on ESPN Analytics, Pierce’s resolution dropped the Raiders’ win chance from 24.8% in the event that they went for it to 19.1% with the punt.
And whereas the Raiders pinned the Chargers on their 8-yard line on the punt, Los Angeles put collectively a 92-yard landing drive, keyed by a 61-yard burst up the left sideline by operating again J.K. Dobbins.
“I imply, we acquired what we needed,” Pierce stated of Raiders punter AJ Cole placing the Chargers deep in their very own territory, with Las Vegas nonetheless holding three timeouts.
Pierce stated he trusted the protection, which had saved the Chargers in test as much as that time, to take care of.
“However they broke off the lone run, and that was the top of it,” he stated.
Technically, three snaps later, Justin Herbert hit Ladd McConkey on a 10-yard landing move, earlier than the Chargers tried a 2-point conversion that was stopped by the Raiders earlier than a combat broke out that resulted in the ejections of Las Vegas cornerback Jack Jones and Los Angeles receiver Joshua Palmer.
Mentioned Pierce: “A number of issues issue into not going for it on fourth-and-1.”
Reminiscent of: Raiders operating again Zamir White was hit for a 1-yard loss after they did go for it on fourth-and-1 from their very own 41-yard line within the first quarter — a sequence after he was stopped for no acquire on third-and-1 on their very own 30-yard line. White additionally misplaced a fumble after an 8-yard pickup within the third quarter.
Plus, the Raiders acquired into the pink zone solely as soon as the whole recreation.
The Raiders did ponder going for it within the fourth quarter.
“That is Coach’s resolution,” stated quarterback Gardner Minshew, who accomplished 25 of 33 passes for 257 yards with a landing but in addition misplaced a fumble and threw an interception in his Raiders debut.
“However I believe anyone that is a ballplayer desires the ball of their arms with the chance to assist the group.”
Raiders receiver Davante Adams was requested whether or not he would have most popular going for it.
“I imply, my job is to run routes and do what’s known as,” stated Adams, who caught 5 passes for 59 yards. “I do not actually get into that.”
