The Las Vegas Raiders rolled over the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium, winning 63-21 on "Thursday Night Football." It marks the most points scored in Raiders' franchise history and also the most points given up in Chargers' franchise history.
After not scoring in last week's 3-0 loss to the Vikings, just four days later the Raiders' offense came out full steam ahead. The Raiders had three touchdowns in their first three drives, six touchdowns in the first half and nine total touchdowns in the game. They had complete control from the very beginning, while the Chargers looked lost, turning over the ball five times.
Their 42-0 lead after two quarters is the largest halftime lead in franchise history and tied for the second-largest halftime lead in NFL history. In their last four games, the Raiders have scored 46 points, a number they reached Thursday night with just under 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The defense did their job out the gate, forcing a three-and-out followed by two fumble recoveries and shutting out the Chargers (5-9) in the first half.
The Raiders (6-8) had some fun with the win, pulling trick plays as wide receiver Jakobi Meyers completed a touchdown pass to Davante Adams in the third quarter. Las Vegas spread the wealth, with touchdowns from their defense, throws from wide receivers and six different players on offense, eight total, getting in the end zone.
For more on how this game looked, check out our takeaways below.
Why the Raiders won
Heading into the game, Las Vegas was tied for second-fewest passing touchdowns (11) and most interceptions thrown (18) in the league. The offensive struggles were nonexistent on Thursday as the unit scored seven total touchdowns and did not turn the ball over once. The defense did their part, with two touchdowns from their side of the ball. They helped set up the offense with takeaways and turnover on downs.
Raiders' touchdowns would be the story of the first half, and quarterback Aidan O'Connell went on to have four passing TDs just in the first two quarters. He finished the game 20 of 34 with 248 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Heading into Thursday night, the Raiders were tied for the fewest yards per carry with 3.5, had the second-fewest rushing first downs with 55 and had a league-worst first-down percentage rushing the ball at 18.2 percent. Their run game looked vastly different than it had all season as they finished with 26 carries for 124 yards and two rushing touchdowns -- and that was with star Josh Jacobs sidelined. Zamir White, getting the start in Jacobs' place, finished with 69 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Las Vegas finished with more points than their last four games combined.
Why the Chargers lost
To sum it up, the Chargers just did not seem to show up. After another season of not living up to expectations, this embarrassing showing has only increased talks that head coach Brandon Staley's days in L.A. are numbered.
Quarterback Easton Stick started his first NFL game and went 23 of 32 with 257 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, with the touchdowns coming far too late in the game to make a difference in momentum. While the Chargers' season has been a disappointment, Justin Herbert had been able to keep them close most weeks, with six of their eight losses coming by 10 points or fewer. If it was not clear how important Herbert is to this team, it is crystal clear now.
L.A. turned the ball over a whopping five times and aside from the numerous other things the team did not do well on all sides of the ball, you cannot turn the ball over that many times and expect to be competitive. The Raiders scored 35 points off those takeaways.
The Chargers have lost by a combined 55 points so far this season. On 'TNF,' they lost by 42.
Turning point
From the start, this game was going the Raiders' way, as the Chargers did not seem to have any logical game plan or fight in them from the beginning.
The second L.A. fumble, which came around the midpoint of the first quarter, was a really telling drive by the Chargers. They had just given up a fumble on their previous offensive drive, which led to a Raiders touchdown, just as this one would as well.
The touchdown set up by the second Chargers' fumble came in the form of a 22-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers, which could have very well been the play of the game, had it not been for another impressive Meyers' highlight and all the other big plays by the Raiders.
With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Raiders already had a 21-0 lead and it became clear what the story of this game would be.
Play of the game
Jakobi Meyers is just the second Raider in team history to score a touchdown and throw a touchdown pass in the same game.
The Raiders were up 42-0 and with such a comfortable cushion, opted to go bold and have their wide receiver try his hand at a touchdown pass.
Meyers, who already had a 9-yard completion to Davante Adams, found his favorite target yet again, this time for a three-yard touchdown pass. Meyers was a quarterback in high school and proved he still has an arm.
What's next
The Chargers will face the 7-6 Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a win against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders head to Kansas City on Christmas to face the 8-5 Chiefs.
