The Las Vegas Raiders sent shockwaves through the NFL with their stunning 19-14 upset victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. But while fans and analysts obsessed over the draft pick implications, the Raiders made one thing emphatically clear: this team plays to win, period.
A Defiant Message
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce wasted no time addressing the critics after the game. When asked about the team dropping from the No. 2 to No. 6 draft slot with the win, Pierce fired back:
“We don’t do this to lose. We don’t do this for anybody’s fantasy football team. We don’t do this for anybody’s draft projections. None of that s— matters to us. The only thing that matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.”
– Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach
The message was loud and clear: these Raiders are here to compete, not chase draft picks. Pierce’s fiery words embodied the winning mentality he’s worked tirelessly to instill since taking over as head coach.
The Rookie Shines
Leading the charge for the Raiders was rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell. The fourth-round pick out of Purdue impressed in his first NFL start, displaying poise and precision beyond his years.
O’Connell completed 22 of 31 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown, outdueling Jaguars’ starter Trevor Lawrence. His command of the offense and ability to extend plays had Raiders fans buzzing with excitement.
When asked about the outside noise regarding the team’s draft position, O’Connell echoed his coach’s sentiments:
“I don’t read anything, so I don’t really hear it. Ignorance is definitely bliss and that’s how I’m rolling.”
– Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback
Snapping the Skid
Sunday’s victory marked a major milestone for the Raiders, snapping a demoralizing 10-game losing streak. It was the franchise’s longest such skid since 2014, a dubious mark they were delighted to erase.
The win improved the Raiders’ record to 3-12 on the season, matching the Jaguars who also sit at 3-12. The two teams are now jockeying for draft position with the Giants, Patriots, Browns, and Titans near the top of the board.
But while draft talk dominates the NFL discourse, the Raiders remain laser-focused on finishing the season strong. With matchups against the Saints and Chargers on deck, Pierce’s squad has a chance to play spoiler and build momentum heading into 2025.
Raiders Draft History
Of course, the Raiders are no strangers to the upper echelons of the draft. The franchise last held the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, famously selecting quarterback JaMarcus Russell out of LSU.
Russell’s NFL career is considered one of the biggest busts in league history. He lasted just three seasons with the Raiders, compiling a 7-18 record as a starter with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
In fact, the Raiders have only selected three quarterbacks in the first round since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970:
- Marc Wilson (1980)
- Todd Marinovich (1991)
- JaMarcus Russell (2007)
None of those picks panned out, perhaps contributing to the franchise’s hesitancy to spend premium draft capital on the position. The jury is still out on O’Connell, but his debut certainly inspired confidence.
Eyes on the Prize
As the Raiders gear up for the final two games of the 2024 campaign, the team’s focus remains squarely on the field. Coach Pierce has his men believing in themselves and each other, determined to prove the doubters wrong.
Will the late-season surge cost the Raiders a shot at a franchise-altering quarterback prospect? Perhaps. But this group seems more than content to let the chips fall where they may, as long as they fall in the win column.
The Raiders’ new regime has made its mantra crystal clear: Just win, baby. Everything else is just noise.
