Insights from Strategy Sessions on the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders battle for an AFC playoff spot, the behind-the-scenes strategy sessions led by head coach Antonio Pierce and his coordinators have become a critical driver of the team’s success. These closed-door meetings—held daily during the week, with film breakdowns, opponent scouting reports, and playcalling debates—are where the Raiders turn data into action, refining game plans to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and maximize their own strengths. Unlike the public-facing press conferences or game-day decisions, these sessions reveal the team’s strategic mindset: a mix of adaptability, attention to detail, and a willingness to lean into the Raiders’ core strengths (like their pass rush and play-action passing). Insights from Strategy Sessions on the Las Vegas Raiders pulls back the curtain on these meetings, exploring the key decisions that shaped recent wins, the lessons learned from losses, and how the coaching staff’s collaboration is guiding the team through a tight playoff race.

Insights from Strategy Sessions on the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the game plan adjustments that fueled the Raiders’ Week 15 win over the Denver Broncos—a strategy born from three days of intensive film study. During the sessions, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham highlighted a critical weakness in Denver’s offense: the Broncos’ offensive line struggled to block interior pass rushers when facing a four-man front. Graham and his staff decided to shift rookie defensive tackle Byron Young to a more interior role, pairing him with veteran Bilal Nichols to create pressure up the middle. Offensively, coordinator Mick Lombardi focused on exploiting Denver’s vulnerability to play-action passes—especially after film showed the Broncos’ linebackers often bit on fake runs. The result? Young recorded two sacks, Nichols added a tackle for loss, and quarterback Aidan O’Connell completed three play-action passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. “We don’t just wing it—every play is tied to what we see on film,” Pierce said after the game. “In those sessions, we argue, we test ideas, and we only lock in a plan when everyone’s on board. That collaboration is why we executed so well against Denver.” The sessions also included input from players: O’Connell suggested a specific play-action route to target Denver’s slot corner, a tweak that ended up being the Raiders’ go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Another key insight from the Raiders’ strategy sessions is how the coaching staff addressed the team’s turnover problem following a Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. After O’Connell threw two interceptions and Josh Jacobs lost a fumble against the Chiefs, the strategy sessions shifted focus to ball security—with Lombardi leading drills and film breakdowns of the turnovers. The staff identified patterns: O’Connell was forcing passes into double coverage when under pressure, and Jacobs was holding the ball too loosely when hit from the side. To fix this, Lombardi added “pressure scenarios” to practice, where the offensive line allowed simulated sacks to teach O’Connell to either throw the ball away or scramble. For Jacobs, the sessions included film of NFL running backs with strong ball security (like Derrick Henry) and drills where coaches hit him with padded sticks to practice tight carries. The adjustments paid off in Week 17: O’Connell didn’t throw an interception, and Jacobs held onto the ball despite six tackles that would have previously risked fumbles. “Turnovers aren’t just player mistakes—they’re coaching mistakes if we don’t fix them,” Lombardi said. “In strategy sessions, we don’t blame; we problem-solve. We found the patterns, created drills to counter them, and now we’re seeing results.”

A critical aspect of Insights from Strategy Sessions on the Las Vegas Raiders is the emphasis on “situational football”—a focus that has helped the Las Vegas Raiders win close games and highlights the team’s strategic discipline. In nearly every strategy session, the coaching staff dedicates 30 minutes to practicing high-leverage scenarios: fourth-down decisions, red-zone offense/defense, and two-minute drills. For example, ahead of the Broncos game, the sessions included a deep dive into Denver’s red-zone defense, which ranked 28th in the NFL in touchdown percentage. The Raiders’ staff noticed the Broncos often used a Cover 2 zone in the red zone, leaving the flat open for running backs. They designed a play where Jacobs would fake a run up the middle, then leak out to the flat for a short touchdown pass—a play that worked twice in the game. “Situational football wins or loses games in the NFL,” Pierce said. “We spend more time on fourth-and-1 than we do on some regular plays because we know those moments define seasons.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, this focus has been a game-changer: they rank 8th in the NFL in fourth-down conversion rate (58%) and 10th in red-zone touchdown percentage (63%)—stats that directly reflect the work done in strategy sessions.

Another revealing insight from the strategy sessions is how the coaching staff adapts plans based on player availability, a skill that has become essential amid the Raiders’ injury struggles. When defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins was sidelined with a knee injury, the strategy sessions shifted to integrating Young into the starting lineup—but not by forcing him to mimic Hankins’ playstyle. Instead, Graham and his staff analyzed Young’s strengths (quickness off the line, ability to penetrate gaps) and designed plays that let him use those skills, rather than asking him to focus on run-stopping like Hankins. Similarly, when wide receiver Hunter Renfrow was out, Lombardi adjusted the passing game to rely more on Jakobi Meyers’ deep speed, adding more vertical routes to the game plan. “The worst thing you can do is put a player in a position to fail,” Graham said. “In strategy sessions, we build plans around who’s available—not who we wish was available. For the Las Vegas Raiders, that means being flexible. If a key player is out, we don’t just plug someone in—we rewrite the playbook to fit their strengths.” This adaptability was on full display in Week 15: Young’s two sacks came from plays designed specifically for his speed, and Meyers’ 45-yard reception was a vertical route added to exploit his strengths in Renfrow’s absence.

Wrapping up Insights from Strategy Sessions on the Las Vegas Raiders is the role of player-coach collaboration in these meetings—a dynamic that has fostered trust and improved execution for the Las Vegas Raiders. Unlike some NFL teams where strategy is dictated solely by coaches, the Raiders’ sessions include input from veteran players: Maxx Crosby weighs in on pass-rush schemes, Davante Adams offers feedback on coverages, and O’Connell shares how opposing defenses are reacting to his tendencies. For example, ahead of the Week 17 game against the Colts, Adams noted that Indianapolis’ cornerbacks often pressed receivers at the line but struggled with quick releases. The staff adjusted the game plan to include more quick slants and outs—routes that let Adams use his release speed to get open. The result? Adams caught six passes for 89 yards, including a game-clinching first down in the fourth quarter. “When players have a voice in the strategy, they play with more confidence,” Pierce said. “They’re not just executing a plan—they’re executing their plan. For the Las Vegas Raiders, that collaboration is what turns good strategies into great ones.” This dynamic has also strengthened team morale: players feel valued, and coaches gain on-field perspectives that film alone can’t provide. Insights from Strategy Sessions on the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately shows that success in the NFL isn’t just about talent—it’s about the work done in quiet rooms, where coaches and players come together to turn ideas into wins. As the Raiders head into the final week of the regular season, these strategy sessions will remain their most valuable tool in the fight for a playoff spot.