Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has another big decision to make this week. Pierce’s staff will evaluate Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell to determine the Raiders starting quarterback in their Week 6 contest against the Los Angeles Rams.
A “deflating” play for the Las Vegas Raiders
On Monday, Pierce talked about Minshew’s performance against the Broncos. Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Pierce said the Pro Bowl quarterback’s pick-six killed the team’s momentum.
“That was very deflating,” Pierce said. “I think everybody understood and saw that. But he went back out there, and I thought there were some opportunities for us to make plays and at that point we just didn’t. Offensively, we kind of hit the mud. It’s all about the football. You’ve got to protect the football. The easiest way to lose the game is turnovers.”
Related: Davante Adams wants out of Las Vegas
The Raiders were first-and-goal from the Denver 5-yard line when Minshew threw the pick-six to Patrick Surtain. Las Vegas had an opportunity to take a double-digit lead but instead gave up a touchdown to the Broncos that tied the game at 10.
Minshew finished Sunday going 12-of-17 passing for 137 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His replacement, Aidan O’Connell, went 10-of-20 passing for 94 yards.
Do the Raiders trust Aidan O’Connell?
Pierce hinted on Monday that the Raiders could trust O’Connell with the ball if they got the start.
“We know what we’re going to get with Aidan, right?” Pierce said. “That back foot hits the ground, ball comes out, he’s a cerebral player, knows where the ball needs to go. I’ve seen enough of Aidan last year, the spring, to know what to expect from Aidan.”
O’Connell touchdown to interception ratio this season is 1-1, a little better than Minshew’s 4-5 entering Week 6. Neither option makes Pierce’s decision easy for the 2-3 Raiders.
For More Las Vegas Sports News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
