Raiders’ Antonio Pierce says team ‘heard a whistle’ ahead of game-deciding botched snap in loss to Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is not holding back in expressing his frustration just over 24 hours after his team’s tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Pierce, who is in his first full season as the Raiders head coach, spoke to the media and shared his belief that referees had blown a whistle just before the crucial fumble on a poorly timed snap. According to Pierce, if a whistle had been blown, the play would have been ruled dead.
The Raiders are planning to submit video evidence to the NFL office to support their claim and request further review of the controversial play. After the Raiders defense forced the Chiefs to punt with only two minutes left in the game, Las Vegas had a chance to attempt a game-winning field goal. However, a costly mistake on third down led to a fumble on a premature snap by the Raiders center as quarterback Aidan O’Connell was preparing to make a play. The Chiefs recovered the fumble, ultimately sealing their victory.
Despite the referees penalizing the Raiders for an illegal shift on the play, Kansas City declined the penalty since they had recovered the fumble. The NFL clarified that a false start would have been enforced if the clock was running at the time of the mishandled snap. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell took full responsibility for the error, admitting that he clapped too early, causing the botched snap.
The defeat to the Chiefs secured a playoff spot for Kansas City, while the Raiders will look to bounce back when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week. Pierce and his team are determined to regroup and focus on their upcoming matchup.
In conclusion, the Raiders’ heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs has sparked controversy and disappointment among players and fans alike. Despite the setback, Pierce remains determined to lead his team to success in the remainder of the season. Stay tuned for more updates on the Raiders and the NFL as the season progresses.
