Analytics Don't Lie: Pierce and a Lack Of Penalties

New Coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders took as interim coach in midseason and the analytics don't lie when you look at the lack of penalties by his team.

When analyzing the success of NFL teams, one of the most important statistics to examine is the number of penalties called against them.

The Las Vegas Raiders found success under Interim Coach Antonio Pierce, and the foremost contributing factor to this success is almost certainly the improvement in disciplined on-field performanes.

Antonio Pierce, now the permanent coach, has established a concrete difference in the amount of discipline held by the players of this Raiders organization.

In Weeks 1-8 of the 2023 regular season, under the leadership of Coach Josh McDaniels, the Raiders openly struggled and had 44 penalties called against them. During the first eight weeks, the Raiders averaged 5.5 penalties per game.

The leadership of Antonio Pierce stunningly stopped the Las Vegas Raiders' hemorrhaging penalties / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When Pierce was named interim head coach, he sought to address the concerns surrounding penalties and undisciplined play on the field. 

Under the leadership of Pierce, the Raiders cracked down on the number of penalties enforced against them. In Weeks 9-17, the Raiders had 31 penalties. In the last nine games of the season, the Raiders averaged only 3.44 penalties per game.

After the 2023 regular season, the Raiders were the least penalized team in the NFL.

Pierce was responsible for bringing in a new mindset and attitude that revitalized the locker room. Pierce demanded respect in the locker room and received it from players and coaches. 

In Weeks 9-17, the Raiders developed a mindset and environment that fostered discipline and on-field success through decreased penalties.

The culture and attitudes developed under Pierce have cemented themselves into the locker room and within the minds of the players and coaches, resulting in discipline that is there to stay.

Pierce has been named the head coach for the 2023-2024 NFL season and will have an opportunity to display this continued performance of discipline.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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