By Case Keefer (contact), Danny Webster (contact)

Published Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 | 2 a.m.

Updated 0 milliseconds ago

WEEK 15
• Who: Chargers (5-8) at Raiders (5-8)

• When: 5:15 p.m.

• Where: Allegiant Stadium

• TV: Prime Video

• Radio: Raider Nation Radio 920 AM, KOMP 92.3 FM

• Betting line: Raiders -3, over/under: 34

Raiders 63, Chargers 7 — 14:31 left, 4th quarter

Seventy is within reach, as the Raiders achieve a new franchise record for points in a single game.

Jack Jones intercepts Easton Stick on a screen pass, returning it 15 yards and pushing the Raiders past 60 points for the first time in franchise history. The previous record was 59 points, set in October 2010 against the Denver Broncos, coached by former coach Josh McDaniels.

This marks the fifth turnover forced by the Raiders in this game.

End of third quarter: Raiders 56, Chargers 7

Touchdowns are abundant, with even 330-pound defensive tackle John Jenkins scoring.

Malcolm Koonce secures his second strip sack of the game, and Jenkins runs the loose ball 44 yards, surpassing 50 points for the Raiders.

The franchise record, set in 2010, is 59 points. At this pace, the Raiders might hit 70.

Raiders 49, Chargers 7 — 10:27 left, 3rd quarter

The Raiders score again. Jakobi Meyers, a former college quarterback, connects with Davante Adams for a 3-yard score, marking the seventh touchdown of the Raiders’ night.

Notably, the Chargers not only cross the 50-yard line for the first time but also score a touchdown on their first play of the second half, with Easton Stick finding Joshua Palmer for a 79-yard touchdown, ending the shutout bid.

Now, the question is how much longer the Las Vegas starters will stay in the game.

Halftime: Raiders 42, Chargers 0

Tre Tucker’s second touchdown of the half, a 20-yard pass from Aidan O’Connell, concludes a historic first half for the Raiders, leading 42-0.

The Raiders tie a franchise record for the most points in a half, set on Oct. 19, 1969, against O.J. Simpson and the Buffalo Bills, resulting in a 50-21 victory.

More records might be broken if this momentum continues. O’Connell throws four touchdowns in the half, and the Raiders outgain the Chargers 283-89.

Raiders 35, Chargers 0, 3:50 left in the second quarter — Bolden scores on trick reverse

Brandon Bolden, primarily known for special teams, surprises by scoring touchdowns.

Executing a Wildcat sweep to the left side, Bolden scores a 26-yard touchdown, setting a new season-high in points and surpassing 30 points for the second time this season (30 in Week 9 against the New York Giants).

With over two quarters to go, the Raiders show no signs of slowing down.

Raiders 28, Chargers 0, 9:15 left in the second quarter — Raiders score off another Chargers fumble

The Chargers fumble for the third time in the first half and fail to cross the 50-yard line. The Raiders find it easy going.

Aidan O’Connell throws his third touchdown pass of the half to Michael Mayer, with an 11-yard score, extending the Raiders’ lead by four touchdowns. This comes moments after Chargers receiver Derius Davis fumbles during a punt return inside the Raiders’ 15-yard line.

In yardage, the Raiders outgain the Chargers 169-60.

Raiders 21, Chargers 0, 3:07 remaining in the first quarter — An onslaught at Allegiant Stadium

Another fumble, another touchdown for the Raiders, and it’s not even 6 p.m. yet.

Chargers running back Joshua Kelley fumbles on the Chargers’ first play of their third drive, with the Raiders recovering at the Los Angeles 31-yard line.

The Raiders need only three plays to find the end zone. On a third-down conversion, O’Connell connects with Jakobi Meyers down the right sideline for a 22-yard touchdown, solidifying an insurmountable lead for the Raiders.

Las Vegas converts five-for-five on third downs.

Whatever went wrong on Sunday against Minnesota is going right on Thursday night.

Raiders 14, Chargers 0, 4:41 remaining in the first quarter — Raiders capitalize on fumble, up two scores

The Raiders dominate the first 10 minutes.

Following the Raiders’ opening-drive score, the defense steps up. Edge rusher Malcolm Koonce sacks and forces a fumble on Chargers quarterback Easton Stick, with Tyree Wilson recovering at the Los Angeles 41-yard line.

After the fourth third-down conversion of the quarter — a 10-yard pass to Michael Mayer on 3rd and 8 — O’Connell finds Tre Tucker on a deep post for a 30-yard touchdown, putting the Raiders up two touchdowns in the first quarter.

The Chargers have no answer for the Raiders, and it seems they might not even have an answer for themselves.

Raiders 7, Chargers 0, 8:04 remaining in the first quarter — Raiders strike first, eclipse last week

Starting with the Chargers called for fair catch interference, Aidan O’Connell leads the Raiders on a 12-play, 68-yard drive. Zamir White scores a 1-yard touchdown, getting the Raiders on the board.

O’Connell and the offense convert three third downs on the drive, two on the ground from running back Ameer Abdullah. White and Abdullah share carries with Josh Jacobs (quad) not playing.

This is a significant improvement for the Raiders after being held without a point in Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Minnesota. It’s a combination of O’Connell making good reads with his throws and the running game finding a rhythm without Jacobs.

With the Chargers going 3-and-out on their first drive, the Raiders have reasons to feel good about this start.

Raiders down a trio of injured offensive starters

The Raiders are officially without three offensive starters for Thursday Night Football, including two vital contributors. The Chargers are also without three offensive starters, including two key players.

While it might level the playing field with both AFC West rivals significantly weakened, it doesn’t make for the anticipated matchup.

There’s nothing particularly surprising in the teams’ just-released inactives report, but it confirms that Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will miss his first game in two seasons due to a quad injury. He joins Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and receiver Keenan Allen as Pro-Bowlers who will miss the second meeting between the teams this season.

Los Angeles narrowly defeated Las Vegas 24-17 in Week 4, with a big factor being how thoroughly the Chargers’ defensive line outplayed the Raiders’ offensive line. Now, Las Vegas’ offensive line is in much worse shape, with center Andre James (ankle) and left tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) both out.

The Chargers’ third

missing starter alongside Herbert and Allen is tight end Donald Parham.

Injuries have taken some of the shine off the game, but the Chargers and Raiders are known for playing close, drama-filled games. This might be another one.

Pregame Preview

Ever since the NFL introduced Thursday Night Football as a season-long venture in 2012, fans have complained about lower-quality games compared to their Sunday counterparts. This week’s matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Easton Stick, with both teams battling to avoid last place in the AFC West, may amplify those complaints.

O’Connell, a rookie quarterback, comes off his worst game—a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Stick, a longtime backup, steps in after Chargers starter Justin Herbert broke his index finger last week. The point spread shifted 6.5 points toward the Raiders after Herbert’s injury.

Though neither team is technically eliminated from playoff contention, a miracle is required for them to reach the postseason.

Favorable Matchup: Raiders’ Defensive Line vs. Chargers’ Offensive Line

Despite the scoreless performance in the last game, the Raiders’ defense performed well against the Vikings, holding them without points until the final two minutes. The defensive line, led by edge rusher Maxx Crosby and supported by Malcolm Koonce, Janarius Robinson, and Tyree Wilson, disrupted the Vikings’ offense. The Chargers’ offensive line, ranked 24th by Pro Football Focus, is vulnerable. If the Raiders maintain the same energy, they could dominate the Chargers’ offensive front.

Quotes:

“We’re not even watching the game. It’s on to the Chargers — divisional game at home, Thursday Night Football, we’re excited about it… (But the Vikings’ loss) hurt. It was disappointing. It was unexpected.” – Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce on focusing on the Chargers game after the previous loss.

“I don’t really know what to say about that. I’m sorry to the fans who came to watch that. They deserve better. Raider Nation deserves better.” – Jermaine Eluemunor apologizing on behalf of the offense for the Vikings’ game.

“If you’re able to go out on the field and you’re not playing to your fullest because of losing, or because the season’s not going exactly our way, then that’s a shame on you. I don’t think that’s what we have in this locker room. Regardless, it sucks, like it’s terrible. We hate losing. I hate losing. I’m sick of it.” – Maxx Crosby on maintaining focus despite a three-game losing streak.

“You could say there is something extra, but it is what it is. You want to play well against your team knowing where you came from. There’s a lot of respect but a lot to get back too from how it turned out.” – Khalil Mack on facing the Raiders and elevating his game.