One week after his team overcame a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win at Baltimore, Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce called out the Raiders for a lack of effort in their home opener.

“As the game went on,” Pierce said, “I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions. And we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

The previously winless and seemingly dysfunctional Carolina Panthers took a 14-point lead into halftime and never looked back as they cruised to a 36-22 victory on Sunday. The Raiders (1-2) lost for the 59th consecutive time when trailing by 14 or more at halftime, according to Stathead.

“It’s poor, it’s just not good enough,” Pierce said. “The crowd was ready. I appreciate the crowd, (and) everybody showing up, they did their part — we did not.

“We got our (butt) whooped.”

Las Vegas, which never led, allowed more than 21 points twice in nine games after Pierce took over as interim coach last season. The Raiders, who are now 17-18 at Allegiant Stadium, have allowed more than 21 points in all three games this year with Pierce as the full-time coach.

The Raiders allowed the Panthers to score on eight of their 11 drives, not including a final series where the Panthers kneeled down.

Packers adding sacks to interceptions

Intercepting passes isn’t the only way the Green Bay Packers’ defense bothers opposing quarterbacks.

Green Bay (2-1) sacked Will Levis eight times Sunday in a 30-14 victory at Tennessee that gave the Packers two straight wins without injured quarterback Jordan Love. It was the Packers’ highest sack total since they tied a franchise record with nine in a 31-14 triumph over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 2, 2005.

Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the defense has shown an impressive ability to produce big plays. Green Bay picked off a pair of passes by Levis — returning one for a touchdown — and has recorded at least two interceptions in its first three games.

The pass rush needed some time to get going. Green Bay delivered just one sack in each of its first two games – a 34-29 loss to Philadelphia in Brazil and a 16-10 victory at home over Indianapolis.

McCaffrey goes to Germany to see doctor

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey went to Germany to consult with a specialist about his Achilles tendinitis.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that McCaffrey made the trip in hopes of resolving an issue that has bothered him since early in training camp and has forced him onto injured reserve to start the season.

“I know he’s going to see a specialist that I believe can help him with his Achilles process,” Shanahan said Monday. “I think he’s doing that over these next few days, and hopefully, it’ll help.”

McCaffrey got hurt early in training camp and missed four weeks of practice before returning to the field on a limited basis before the season opener Sept. 9.

He was a late scratch for that game and then went on injured reserve on Sept. 14, two days after experiencing pain in the Achilles tendon following a practice. He is eligible to return for a Week 6 game at Seattle but there is no indication that he is close to being able to play.

Chargers’ James suspended one game

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James was suspended one game without pay by the NFL on Monday for repeated violations of rules intended to protect players’ health and safety.

James has five unnecessary roughness penalties in his last 18 games, the most in the league by a defensive player. All five have involved blows to the head of an opponent with his shoulder or helmet.

Jon Runyan, the league’s vice president of football operations, cited the league’s ban on lowering the head and initiating contact with the helmet. Runyan pointed to James’ targeting of Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth during the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-10 loss at Pittsburgh as the last straw.

James lowered his head and hit Freiermuth, drawing a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. James had an unobstructed path to Freiermuth and could have adjusted the way he delivered the hit.

James said after the game that he didn’t ask the referee why he was penalized.

“I’m not here to referee, I’m playing fast and not thinking about a flag,” he said. “I’ll look at the film and see if they send me a fine. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or neck.”

The Chargers (2-1) host Kansas City on Sunday. James can appeal the suspension before a hearing officer jointly appointed by the league and the players’ union. The appeal would be heard either Tuesday or Wednesday with an expedited decision.

Herbert, Bosa, OTs could be out for Chargers

After four starters, including star quarterback Justin Herbert, missed the end of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Jim Harbaugh deflected all questions about the mounting injuries Monday, deferring until the team is required to release an injury report after practice Wednesday.

In addition to Herbert’s right ankle sprain that left him in a walking boot, the Chargers (2-1) enter an AFC West matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs with concerns about both starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (knee) and outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip).

Alt’s injury could be the most significant, as media reports indicated the rookie right tackle suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament on the Chargers’ final offensive play Sunday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Alt likely will miss time, but won’t require surgery.

Browns DE Garrett listed as ‘day to day’

Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett didn’t sustain any further injuries to his feet while continuing to play in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants and is still listed as “day to day.”

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Garrett underwent an MRI on Monday. Stefanski did not provide any specifics about the test results or Garrett’s injuries, only offering the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year “is battling.”

While the Browns got a mostly positive outlook on Garrett, the news wasn’t as good on starting right guard Wyatt Teller, who suffered a sprained knee ligament and is likely headed to injured reserve.

Garrett had to be helped off the field at one point in Sunday’s 21-15 loss. He twice went into the sideline medical tent for attention and treatment before returning to the game. The All-Pro edge rusher was limping badly afterward and had to be driven to his car on a cart.

Garrett revealed he’s dealing with multiple issues in his lower legs, but said he’s determined to keep playing.

Briefly

Lions >> Detroit coach Dan Campbell announced that defensive end Marcus Davenport will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury and linebacker Derrick Barnes will miss a “significant amount of time” with a knee injury.

Ravens >> Yannick Ngakoue is returning to Baltimore. The team is signing the edge rusher three games into the NFL season, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract had not been announced. Ngakoue, 29, last played for Baltimore in 2020 after a trade that year from Minnesota

49ers >> Star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave will likely miss the rest of the season because of a partially torn triceps.