Antonio Pierce is no stranger to Baker Mayfield’s moxie.

As linebackers coach on Josh McDaniels’ Las Vegas Raiders staff, Pierce experienced Mayfield Magic up close as the quarterback briefly took charge of the Los Angeles Rams’ offense and led the team past the Silver & Black in a 17-16 comeback win in December 2022.

It was a game in which the Raiders continued to lead 16-3 in the fourth quarter.

Pierce, now the head coach of Las Vegas, will get to know Mayfield, now the starting signalman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. And it was only natural that Pierce was asked about that previous duel.

“I mean, first of all, the game could have ended twice. We had a sack; We were intercepted. But he’s also just a very resilient guy,” Pierce noted.

This means that the Raiders will have to repeat the sack prowess of Week 13 in Week 14. That will bring another eye-opening performance from defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson (who had a single-game best of 1.5 sacks against Kansas City). Chiefs) and the other pass rushers in Tampa Bay will be on point.

Despite not having seen Mayfield in two seasons, Pierce is all too aware of the 29-year-old’s abilities.

“I mean, he’s the No. 1 guy who bounced around a little bit and found his home in Tampa Bay. He plays the game a little bit like Brett Favre, who I played against in the league. He is very fiery, he will do anything to make a game. “The play is never dead with him,” Pierce said of Mayfield. “You have to keep an eye on him and then stay behind cover. So that will be a challenge. But I mean, he obviously has the arm talent, a very talented player. And then you see, he has some really good players on his team, right?

“Mike Evans is there and that will be a big challenge for us too. And those two running backs, seven (Bucky Irving) and one (Rachaad White), do a really good job for him in pass protection and running routes as well.”

Las Vegas’ defensive performance in the loss at Kansas City showed a group that was in pursuit of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Whether it was Chaisson, Crosby or a host of defensive linemen heading to the Wolf Pack, the Raiders’ five-sack total was a bright spot in another wise, dark season.

Las Vegas needs a similar performance to stop a Bucs offense that ranks fifth in scoring and third in red zone conversions (touchdowns). The Raiders must be prepared to make Mayfield uncomfortable in the pocket and on the run as he tries to escape pressure.

“We’re not the most patient people in the world, but there’s a trust factor that’s going to be key this week because Baker can make something out of nothing with those loose plays because he’s pretty good at that.” Also in relation the way he steps in the pocket, he avoids the rush,” Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said of Mayfield. “Sometimes you’ll see a lot of free runners coming at him and he’ll let them miss, look down the field and throw the ball.” So that’s going to be important. We need to eliminate the explosive plays, and this is one way quarterbacks can do that.”

Note quote:

“It’s really important that the boys get into their role. I think AP (Antonio Pierce) talked about this last week. You are committed to your role. So if your task is to take five snapshots, those have to be your best five snapshots. You have to take advantage of that. So, the guys who don’t play as much and are on the package, you have to play your role right there. And as far as adding more D-Ends, the league is just different, man. They can all climb. I mean, I remember when I first came into the league you were talking about maybe four or five quarterbacks, everyone else you threw the orange dot out there, that’s where they stood. And it’s a headache, man. I mean, it’s every week. You see how my entire behavior changes. You have to deal with these guys every week, man. And it doesn’t get any better because all the guys in college that I see when I watch five minutes of college football, they can all run too, so it’s fun.” – Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham on using the NASCAR package of four defensive ends on the field at the same time and letting the defensive linemen take on niche roles