Frustrated Pierce hints at changes after Raiders lose 5th straight

CINCINNATI — The Raiders limped out of Paycor Stadium following a 41-24 loss to the Bengals on Sunday with their future as cloudy as ever.

Their quarterback situation is up in the air after Desmond Ridder was summoned from the bench in the third quarter to replace struggling starter Gardner Minshew. There’s no telling who will get the call following the team’s bye week.

Meanwhile, despite scoring an opening-drive touchdown for the fourth time in five games, the Raiders’ offense pulled another Houdini act in Cincinnati and disappeared. The offense didn’t find the end zone again until there were 41 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

A frustrated coach Antonio Pierce hinted there could be changes before the Raiders’ next game against the Dolphins on Nov. 17. He said “everything” needed to be looked at after the team’s fifth straight loss. It remains to be seen if that means taking away play-calling responsibilities from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

“We have to do a much better job to put us in position to get us to a point where we actually have a chance to win and not play catch up,” Pierce said.

Disappointing defense

The Raiders’ defense deserves its share of blame as well. The group allowed the ninth-fewest points in the NFL last year. But the Raiders continued their season-long slide Sunday by letting the Bengals score on their first five drives, not counting a quarterback kneel at the end of the first half.

Cincinnati led 31-10 by the end of the third quarter. The Raiders’ defense sprung leaks everywhere. There was no pass rush and quarterback Joe Burrow shined with 251 yards and five touchdown passes.

Tight end Mike Gesicki gashed the Raiders for 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. Running back Chase Brown added 120 rushing yards on 27 carries.

“There’s nothing to say,” defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “You got to show up and get better. That’s all we can do. Control the controllables.”

The Raiders have been preaching that message all year. It hasn’t helped them get better.

The Bengals entered Sunday at 3-5. They look more than capable of making a run now. The Raiders have a way of adding that shine to teams.

“Today was not a good day at the office,” Pierce said.

The only question for the Raiders (2-7) now is how low they can sink.

Their two wins are tied with eight other teams for the fewest in the NFL. They have a far better chance of landing the top pick in the draft than they do of earning a playoff spot.

“It sucks to lose five in a row,” Crosby said. “That’s really all it is. It sucks.”

The Raiders pledged to use their bye week to come up with answers. That they will play with pride and professionalism the rest of the way. That’s all they can do. But their slump has shown no signs of ending.

“We’ve got a long rest of the season, but I believe in the people in this locker room,” cornerback Nate Hobbs said.

QB change

Sunday was the third time Minshew was replaced in a game this season. He lost his job outright to second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell after five games and only gained it back when O’Connell fractured his right thumb.

Minshew completed 10 of 17 passes for 124 yards Sunday. He was replaced after committing his NFL-leading 12th turnover on a botched exchange with wide receiver DJ Turner. The Raiders went with Ridder, who they claimed off the Cardinals’ practice squad Oct. 22, the rest of the game.

“It’s frustrating,” Minshew said. “I always want to be out there with my guys.”

Ridder completed 11 of 16 passes for 74 yards. The former University of Cincinnati standout threw a 22-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Brock Bowers on the Raiders’ final offensive play.

“It feels good to just be out there playing the game I love with the guys I work hard with every day.,” Ridder said.

Ridder, who started 13 games for the Falcons last year, could be in line to start when the Raiders return from their bye. It could be one of many changes coming to the team moving forward.

“That reset, it goes for all of us,” Pierce said. “It’s a group effort. We have to find a way to get better.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.