After ten straight losses, the Raiders found themselves within striking distance of the number one overall pick in the draft. To get it, however, they would have to keep losing.
They didn't do that this Sunday, defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 to stop the losing streak. On the other hand, the win means they are no longer in position for the top pick but have to face it sixth overall pick.
While many fans are thinking about the future and putting a franchise quarterback at the top of the draft, the players on this team and the coaches aren't thinking about it at all right now. They think about the opponent in front of them.
When Pierce was asked what he says to fans who want the Raiders to lose out on draft position, he replied, “No comment.” But with his next answer he conveyed that message.
“Look, we work 80 hours a week. Staff and players come here to work for more than 40 hours. We don’t do this to lose,” Pierce said. “We’re not doing this for anyone’s fantasy football team or anyone’s draft projections. None of this matters to us. The only thing that counts is victory. And that’s all we want to do.”
So for the first time since September — a span of nearly three months — the Raiders woke up to a win. You may not be particularly happy that the season is long gone, but it's definitely a better feeling than watching the defeats keep piling up.
