When Antonio Pierce took over as interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, he created the tradition of smoking victory cigars after every win. With Pierce now in the full-time job in 2024, the Raiders haven’t lit a single stogie since the first month of the season.

The 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14 means the Raiders have lost nine straight games while the team and head coach have broken a record this fall and made the same mistakes over and over again.

Pierce’s game management has been an issue all season and the first instance on Sunday came when he challenged a catch by Tre Tucker on the sideline that wasn’t even close. Additionally, Las Vegas had opportunities to clinch the win on fourth-and-short on consecutive drives and elected to punt both times.

The most egregious decision to punt came on the second fourth down. The Raiders trailed by four yards and had just gained eight yards on third-and-9 for a fourth-and-1. Running back Sincere McCormick averaged 5.2 yards per carry on the afternoon and had converted a short yardage attempt early in the game, but Las Vegas batted the ball away instead of rolling.

Granted, the Silver and Black were on their own 29 yard line. But what did the team have to lose with a record of 2-10? Furthermore, the Buccaneers marched right down the field on the next possession and still took a two-point lead, a poetic end to a cowardly decision.

The other big theme that continued was the Raiders’ terrible quarterback play. Aidan O’Connell was 11-19 for 104 yards and an interception as well as a lost fumble before leaving the game early due to injury.

Put all of that together and you get a team that’s 2-11 heading into the final four weeks of the campaign, leading to some frustrating posts on X/Twitter.

The challenge that wasn’t close…

Pierce talks about the team after the game.

More game management issues.

Sounds like O’Connell’s season may be over.

The play that injured O’Connell should have hit the passer hard.

Six different starting quarterbacks since Derek Carr, oops…

The Raiders are No. 1 with the Jaguars’ win. Will Shedeur Sanders be the seventh starter after Carr?

However, this was a great play by Brock Bowers, and Bowers made some history today.

Great run from McCormick.