Josh McDaniels’ decision to kick a 26-yard field goal with with just over two minutes left to trim the disadvantage to 23-18 was one thing. Patrick Graham’s decision to call a nickel blitz on 3rd-and-2 just three players that left a wide receiver wide open for an easy first-down conversion was another.
Both contributed heavily to the Las Vegas Raiders’ 23-18 home-opening loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. The duo of dubious distinctions from the chief play callers on the Silver & Black staff — amongst a myriad of other things — scuttled the home team’s hopes of improving to 2-1 inside Allegiant Stadium.