HENDERSON, Nev. — On its surface, the Las Vegas Raiders’ 5-4 finish under interim coach Antonio Pierce doesn’t seem all that impressive.
But it’s how the Raiders got there, and what it looked like in going 8-9 overall and flirting with a postseason bid that has tongues wagging.
Especially with openings still at general manager and head coach, with interim GM Champ Kelly and Pierce the purported front-runners to retain their gigs.
But no matter who is running the Raiders’ ship next season, there will be issues to address. As such, here are three that jump to the forefront.
How does a unit that returned a pair of All-Pros in wide receiver Davante Adams and running back Josh Jacobs, as well as former 100-catch Pro Bowl wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, finish 27th in total offense and 23rd in scoring? That’s probably more of a question for the previous staff headed by Josh McDaniels.
Because while Pierce tried to jump-start the offense by benching high-priced but oft-injured veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, it didn’t quite work out.
Sure, O’Connell finished with a flourish, throwing eight touchdown passes without an interception in the Raiders’ final four games.
But any semblance of competent quarterback play against the Minnesota Vikings (a 3-0 loss at home, really?) in Week 14 and Indianapolis Colts in Week 17 and the Raiders likely make the playoffs.
