The Raiders lost. Again. If you’re looking for the final score of the Raider game from this past Sunday, the scoreboard at Allegiant Stadium read 32-13 in favor of the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. It wasn't particularly close, honestly.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the "Silver and Black" faithful were mostly just looking for the exits or another overpriced beer to numb the sting of a three-game skid. It's a weird time to be a Raiders fan. You've got a coach in Antonio Pierce who everyone wants to succeed because he embodies that old-school gritty Oakland vibe, but the actual product on the field in Las Vegas feels disjointed. They're 2-4. That’s the reality. The offense is currently ranked near the bottom of the league in almost every meaningful category, and the defense—while talented—is spending way too much time on the field.
Breaking Down the 32-13 Disaster
Pittsburgh didn't even play that well offensively, which is the kicker. Justin Fields threw for less than 150 yards. Think about that for a second. In the modern NFL, holding a quarterback to under 150 yards usually means you won the game by two touchdowns. But the Raiders turned the ball over three times.
Aidan O'Connell got the start over Gardner Minshew, and while he looked "fine" in stretches, he threw a brutal interception that basically handed the momentum to Mike Tomlin’s squad. When you look at the final score of the Raider game, you see a blowout. What you don't see is the blocked punt. You don't see the fumbled exchange. Those are the "hidden" points that make a 19-13 game suddenly turn into a 32-13 rout.
Alexander Mattison did manage to find the end zone on a gritty 3-yard run early on. For a moment, it felt like the Raiders might actually control the line of scrimmage. That feeling lasted about ten minutes. Then the penalties started. Then the missed tackles happened. It’s a repetitive cycle that has defined the post-Gruden, post-McDaniels era.
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The Davante Adams Shadow
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Davante Adams wasn't out there. He’s dealing with a "hamstring injury," but everyone with a Twitter account knows he’s essentially waiting for a plane ticket to New York or New Orleans.
Playing without a top-three wide receiver is hard. It’s even harder when your run game is averaging a measly 79.5 yards per contest. That is dead last in the NFL. You can't win in this league if you're one-dimensional, and right now, the Raiders are zero-dimensional. Brock Bowers is a star—let’s be clear about that. The rookie tight end is the only reason to watch the All-22 film right now. He caught nine passes for 71 yards against a very physical Steelers secondary. He’s a beast, but he’s a tight end. He can't throw the ball to himself, and he certainly can't block three guys at once.
Maxx Crosby Can’t Do It All
On the other side of the ball, Maxx Crosby remains a freak of nature. He played with a high ankle sprain that would have sidelined most human beings for a month. He’s out there racking up TFLs (tackles for loss) and chasing down Fields like his life depends on it.
But the secondary? It’s leaky.
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When you look at why the final score of the Raider game was so lopsided, look at the rushing defense. They gave up 183 yards on the ground. Najee Harris looked like the 2020 version of himself, bouncing off tackles and stiff-arming defensive backs into the turf. It’s hard to win when you're getting bullied in your own house.
Historical Context: Is This Just Who They Are?
Since moving to Vegas, the Raiders have struggled to find a true home-field advantage. Allegiant Stadium is beautiful, but it often feels like a neutral site game. Against Pittsburgh, it was a "Terrible Towel" takeover. Thousands of Steelers fans flew in, bought up the tickets, and made it loud for the Raiders' offense.
This isn't just a 2024 problem. It’s a systemic issue. Since 2003, the Raiders have had exactly two winning seasons. Two. That’s a generation of football fans who have grown up watching "rebuilding years." The move to Vegas was supposed to fix the finances—and it did—but it hasn't fixed the culture. Antonio Pierce keeps talking about "Raider Identity," but right now, that identity is just "beating ourselves."
What Needs to Change Immediately
If the Raiders want to avoid another top-five draft pick (which, honestly, might be the best thing for them if they want a QB like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders), they have to simplify.
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- Trade Davante Adams already. The distraction is palpable. Get the draft capital, move on, and let Tre Tucker and Brock Bowers become the focal points.
- Commit to the run, even if it’s ugly. They keep abandoning the run because they get behind early.
- Fix the Red Zone defense. They’re giving up touchdowns instead of field goals at an alarming rate.
The schedule doesn't get easier. They’ve got the Rams coming up, then the Chiefs. If they don't find a way to stop the bleeding, we're looking at a 2-6 start that effectively ends the season before Halloween.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're betting on the Raiders or just tracking them for fantasy, keep an eye on the injury report regarding the offensive line. Thayer Munford Jr. and Kolton Miller have been banged up, and without a solid blindside, it doesn't matter if it's O'Connell or Minshew under center—they're going to get hit.
Also, watch the trade wire. The deadline is approaching, and the Raiders are clear "sellers." Expect more than just Adams to be on the block. If they can flip some veteran talent for 2025 picks, they might actually be able to build a roster that doesn't result in a 32-13 final score every other week.
For those attending the next home game, show up early and make some noise. The team is feeding off the energy—or lack thereof—in that building. It’s a tough road ahead, but the NFL is a week-to-week league. A win against a struggling Rams team could change the narrative, but for now, the final score of the Raider game serves as a grim reminder of how far this franchise still has to go.