The Las Vegas Raiders managed to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-14 on Christmas Day last season, and it looks like Antonio Pierce has the recipe for making it a regular occurrence.
In his appearance on Maxx Crosby’s The Rush Podcast last weekend, the 45-year-old tactician said that for them to beat their AFC West rivals again, he is taking notes from the Detroit Pistons back in the day when they implemented the “Jordan Rules” to stop the Chicago Bulls.
“We’ve got the Jordan Rules, and we’ve got what I’m calling now, as long as I’m here, the Patrick Mahomes Rules,” said Pierce. “You remember when Jordan was going through it with the Pistons, all those guys in the ’80s before he became Air Jordan, the Pistons used to whip his (behind). Any time he came to the hole: elbows, feeling him, love taps. We’re in his head, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.”
Why Antonio Pierce believes that the Las Vegas Raiders can pull this off?
Upon being appointed as the head coach last season, the Las Vegas Raiders went 5-4 under his guidance, including winning three of their last four to cap off the regular season while outscoring their opponents 130-72 in the process.
A key reason why they were good towards the end is because of their improved defense, as they were ranked first in points, first in defensive touchdowns, third in sacks, and eighth in rushing, despite having one of the youngest defensive backfields in the NFL, with only Maxx Crosby as their proven star.
How can the Las Vegas Raiders bolster their defense?
But if the Las Vegas Raiders want to maintain their defensive production next season, they may have to add another proven talent, and Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda suggests that they should think about poaching L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs.
“If he hits the open market, expectations are that Sneed will sign a long-term contract that averages around $18.5 million annually, just under the tag amount,” wrote Pauline. “If the Chiefs can’t sign Sneed in the offseason, where could he land? Keep an eye on the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders.”
Doing so will hit two birds with one stone to the benefit of Antonio Pierce and co. since acquiring Sneed will not only bolster their defense but also hurt their division rivals in a big way.