This is Antonio Pierce’s last opportunity to argue that he ought to be the Raiders’ head coach.

Monday, December 25, 2023, in Kansas City, during the first half of an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs, Antonio Pierce, the interim head coach of the Raiders, watches from the sidelines.

(AP) HENDERSON, Nev. As he has stated, Antonio Pierce has one more opportunity to enhance his record on the grass.

The Raiders’ defense has improved this year, and he has invigorated the previously lifeless locker room. Conversely, Pierce has had trouble making decisions during games; he frequently punts on the side of the field where the opposition is playing and wastes timeouts.

All of that might not matter if owner Mark Davis is already determined to pursue a coach like Jim Harbaugh, who has guided Michigan to the national championship game against Washington on Monday, and to once more follow the bright light.

But Sunday’s season finale against the Denver Broncos could mean more to coach and staff if Davis is still thinking about taking the interim tag off Pierce’s job title.