Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) – Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) : 63-21
We didn’t expect much from the Thursday match between two teams far from the race for the playoffs in the AFC. But the incompetence of the Chargers and the hubris of the Raiders made for a completely crazy game.
With three touchdowns on their first three possessions, Aidan O’Connell (20/34, 248 yards, 4 TDs) and the Las Vegas players quickly took off. Things even got out of control. 42-0 at halftime for the Raiders. 63-7 in the last quarter, before finally two touchdowns from the Chargers to soften – very relatively – the debacle.
In their entire history, the Raiders had never scored so much. The previous record was 59 points, in 2010 against the Broncos.
In their entire history, the Chargers had never conceded so many points. The previous record was 57 points, in 2000 against the Rams.
Already the leader of a disappointing team, Brandon Staley is now a humiliated coach.
Easton Stick and the Chargers in torment
If the Raiders were able to break away so quickly, it’s because the opposite attack did nothing. Or worse. Not only did the Chargers punt four times in the first half, but they especially lost two fumbles and failed on a fourth attempt. The fumbles each time returned the ball to Vegas on the opponent’s field, with a touchdown as a penalty each time.
Easton Stick (23/32, 257 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int), who was making his big debut, lost the first ball. Joshua Kelley (5 carries, 22 yards) the second. And when Stick ended up finding Joshua Palmer (4 rec, 113 yards, 1 TD) for a touchdown in the third quarter (49-7), the Raiders defense did it again, with a new fumble snatched from the quarterback then returned for a touchdown, then a one-handed interception, also directly converted into a touchdown by cornerback Jack Jones !
After this action, at 63-7, the Raiders were even able to afford to rest their starters. And it was only there, with a softer defense, that Stick and his teammates added 14 points.
The Raiders are celebrating
The symbol of this crazy evening? Raiders who shone on offense in many ways. O’Connell threw all four of his touchdowns in the first half. He was logically helped by Davante Adams (8 rec, 101 yards, 1 TD), but not only that. Zamir White (17 races, 69 yards, 1 TD), Tre Tucker (3 rec, 59 yards, 2 TDs) and Michael Mayer (4 rec, 39 yards, 1 TD) also stood out.
The coaches even had fun calling trick plays a lot. A Brandon Bolden touchdown scored on a direct wildcat snap. Another one thrown by Jakobi Meyers to Adams.
A few days after a dismal 3-0 defeat against the Vikings, the Raiders took revenge on a Chargers defense completely on the street.
On the other hand, Brandon Staley’s days seem numbered more than ever.
2023-12-15 06:17:05
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