Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce made team owner Mark Davis forget about last week’s 3–0 loss to the Vikings by crushing the Chargers with a 63–21 victory four days later.
But Pierce has done a lot more than just embarrass a divisional rival in a prime-time matchup. He has a strong case to become the permanent coach in Las Vegas.
The Chargers, on the other hand, fired Brandon Staley after the dreadful Thursday Night Football performance. Will Los Angeles swing big by hiring Bill Belichick if he becomes available at the end of the regular season?
We take a look at the Chargers’ and Raiders’ coaching vacancies for this week’s “Fact or Fiction.”
Antonio Pierce should coach the Raiders in 2024
Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports
Manzano’s view: Fact
Remember when the 2023 Raiders’ offense failed to score above 20 points in eight games under Josh McDaniels as the coach? So much has changed for the better since Pierce took over as the interim coach in Las Vegas, including the 63 points dropped on the Chargers last week. Pierce’s team could have checked out a long time ago. Instead, the Raiders (6–8) are competing and have split their last six games. The coach quickly established a team identity, with a rugged defense and a physical, run-heavy offense. (Las Vegas rushed for 124 yards vs. the Chargers without Josh Jacobs.) Pierce has also shown a willingness to learn, evident by seeking advice from former NFL coaches Tom Coughlin, Marvin Lewis and Adam Gase. Yes, the Raiders need to find a franchise quarterback and more talent defensively. But the star players, including Davante Adams, have bought into Pierce, and the rookie class (including tight end Michael Mayer and wide receiver Tre Tucker) is producing. Davis needs to let Pierce build off what he’s done in the past six games, much of which the organization has not seen in a long time. Pierce can help his case by winning a few more games, as the Raiders finish the regular season at Chiefs, at Colts and vs. Broncos.
Chargers need to hire Bill Belichick as head coach
Manzano’s view: Fiction
The Chargers (5–9) definitely need a head coach with experience after hiring three first-timers in the past 11 seasons (Staley, Anthony Lynn and Mike McCoy). Now if the Patriots fire Belichick, the Chargers should definitely interview the legendary coach. But the team should also express interest in Jim Harbaugh and Dan Quinn, two potential candidates with plenty of experience and success in the NFL. It also wouldn’t hurt to reach out to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, or Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, because of what they could do with quarterback Justin Herbert. Neither Johnson and Smith have been a head coach, but the Chargers need to do an extensive search to ensure the next coach lasts longer than four seasons, or at least wins more games. Also, Los Angeles isn’t known for spending big on established coaches. The organization might not be willing to meet Belichick’s or Harbaugh’s requirements, but perhaps it has a better chance of landing Quinn, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Or maybe the coach in Pittsburgh might become available in a few weeks.
Steelers, Mike Tomlin should part ways after the season
Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports
Manzano’s view: Fiction
With a three-game losing streak, the Steelers (7–7) will probably miss the postseason for a second consecutive season. But that shouldn’t be enough for Pittsburgh to fire Mike Tomlin, who has yet to have a losing season since becoming coach in 2007, and will likely extend the streak to 17 seasons, with games remaining against the Bengals, Seahawks and Ravens. The organization would be wise to keep Tomlin either way. Yes, the offense has been bad the past two seasons, and the team needs to find a franchise quarterback (Kenny Pickett isn’t the answer). But Tomlin has gotten plenty right in the past two decades; it wouldn’t make sense to move on from a Super Bowl-winning coach who usually wins nine or more games per season and often has a stellar defense.
Bills will win the AFC East
Manzano’s view: Fact
The Bills (8–6) did their job by winning back-to-back games against the Chiefs and Cowboys to tie the sixth and seventh teams in the AFC. But Buffalo also has a strong shot of stealing the AFC East from the Dolphins (10–4), who shut out the Jets, 30–0, on Sunday. If Miami loses one game in the next two weeks (against either the Cowboys or Ravens), and the Bills beat both the Chargers and Patriots, then the division will come down to Week 18. The Bills, who beat the Dolphins in Week 4, play in Miami for the regular-season finale.
Buccaneers will win the NFC South
For the Buccaneers’ sake, the third time might be the charm. Initially, I thought the Saints would win the subpar NFC South, but I changed my mind after a rough stretch for Derek Carr & Co. I then thought the Falcons would win the division after back-to-back victories improved their record to 6–6. But Atlanta now has a two-game losing streak and sits one game behind New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the standings. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, have a three-game winning streak and will eventually win the NFC South thanks to how well they’re playing on both sides of the ball. Tampa Bay put plenty of pressure on Jordan Love during its 34–20 victory in Green Bay. Baker Mayfield had 381 yards and four touchdowns; he might receive a few votes for Comeback Player of the Year if continues to do what he’s done in the past month. The Buccaneers have a tough home game against the Jaguars next week before hosting the Saints in Week 17 and ending the regular season in Carolina.
