Josh McDaniels Makes Bizarre, Costly Decision on Late Field Goal in Raiders’ Loss

Josh McDaniels’s decision to kick a late field goal had football fans in disbelief.

The Raiders fell to 1–2 after a defeat Sunday night against the Steelers, and fans were skeptical of one critical decision from head coach Josh McDaniels.

Trailing 23–15 with just over three minutes remaining, Las Vegas opted to kick a field goal on fourth-and-five at the 29-yard line. However, Pittsburgh committed a penalty on the attempt that extended the drive. 

After receiving a fresh set of downs, the Raiders worked the ball down to the 8-yard line when McDaniels stunningly went back to kicker Daniel Carlson on fourth down with just 2:22 left on the clock, a decision that backfired. Carlson converted to make it a 23–18 game, but by the time Las Vegas got the ball back, there was just 12 seconds left on the clock. 

After the game, McDaniels explained his decision to take the three points instead of risk it for the touchdown and two-point conversion, saying, “we needed multiple possessions.”

"We needed multiple possessions." #Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, on why he kicked the FG down 8 points. pic.twitter.com/rIvIWlYQyu

— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) September 25, 2023

The NFL world was left scratching its head after McDaniels’ questionable decision during the loss in Week 3, and fans had plenty to say on X.

There really isn't a reasonable justification for kicking that field goal. If you turn the ball over on downs, you still have your time outs. Not sure how you explain it to your team.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 25, 2023

I keep refreshing the Steelers Raiders box score bc my brain physically cannot process that field goal

OPPONENT SHMOPPONENT YOU STILL GOTTA DRIVE THE LENGTH OF THE FIELD pic.twitter.com/fOg0tyFWe2

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 25, 2023

yeah but at least they got that field goal

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) September 25, 2023

“Hey coach, down 8, need a TD here”

Josh McDaniels:

pic.twitter.com/fQRKkejoEy

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 25, 2023

Josh McDaniels masterplan:

get the ball back w 12 seconds left at his 15-yd line

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 25, 2023

All the Raiders have to do here is get one play to get in field goal range, kick a field goal, convert an onside kick, hit another play to get in field goal range, and kick another field goal to win the game. Easy.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) September 25, 2023

So the #Raiders were actually hurt by that penalty on the first field goal. All they did was burn more time for the same field goal. You’d think that’s why they would have gone for a TD the second time.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 25, 2023

Josh McDaniels has lost his mind

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) September 25, 2023

Josh McDaniels should get a Gatorade bath from Steelers players for winning them the game.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 25, 2023