Antonio Pierce continues to botch his coaching duties due to a terribly missed challenge

The Las Vegas Raiders’ decision to strip Antonio Pierce of the interim head coach title is looking worse every week. Not only are the Raiders in the spotlight for the No. 1 pick, they’re finding themselves making very basic mistakes in prime time against their division rivals.

In the Raiders’ Black Friday duel with the Kansas City Chiefs, Aidan O’Connell had a chance to tie the game with a third-down dump to running back Ameer Abdullah. Although it was clear and obvious to everyone involved that Abdullah was given a terrible spot just before the marker, Pierce didn’t question the play.

On the next play, Kansas City managed to stop the Raiders and take over the downs. A drive that could have brought the game to 10-10 on the road was wiped out as Kansas City took a 13-3 lead with a field goal and later extended the lead to 16-3. This is another piece Pierce would like to have back.

Pierce hasn’t had much to do this season. Injuries and ineffectiveness have forced O’Connell, Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder in and out of the lineup, and Vegas attracts players from all over the world to play running back.

Even if you’re a Pierce fan who believes he doesn’t need to be judged by wins and losses this season, mistakes like that aren’t what you want to see. Sure, he could develop into a good coach, but how many years can the Raiders spend figuring that out?

Pierce likely faces a very lengthy rebuild. With the siren songs of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders calling Vegas’ name, Pierce may be in on the tank job. How else can you explain a complete lack of coaching skills?

Pierce is a good football player who will stay with the game for decades, but Raiders fans shouldn’t scoff if they’re frustrated with his performance as a coach. Even in a close game against mighty Kansas City, Pierce’s weaknesses emerge.