Watch: Raiders fool Broncos with fake punt
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole.
Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Beleaguered Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce deserves credit for drawing up a tricky fake punt in Sunday’s home game against the Denver Broncos.
On a 4th-and-4 at Vegas’ 36-yard line, Raiders punter AJ Cole III rolled out to his right, throwing the ball to a wide-open Divine Deablo. The linebacker gained 34 yards on the catch-and-run.
Subsequently, the Raiders capitalized on the successful fake punt. Vegas kicker Daniel Carlson made a 34-yard field goal with 3:48 left in the second quarter, giving the Raiders a 10-6 lead.Â
At the beginning of the season, there was some hope for Pierce and Co. After the Raiders fired former HC Josh McDaniels in 2023, Pierce went 5-4 as an interim, which helped him land the full-time gig.Â
But the Raiders (2-8) have failed to meet expectations. They’ve lost six straight games and are last in the AFC West. Â Â
During a recent episode of the “Just Win: A Podcast Covering the Las Vegas Raiders,” The Athletic’s Tashan Reed said he believes Pierce has a “50 percent chance” of keeping his job.
Pierce clearly needs the Raiders to show signs of improvement for the rest of the season, or he could be a one-and-done.
More must-reads:
Raiders likely to prioritize Robert Spillane deal
Three potential Aaron Rodgers 2025 destinations
The ‘NFL players drafted by a team other than the one they’re known for’ quiz
