Setting a franchise record for most points in a single game, the Raiders vs Chargers Week 15 matchup on Thursday night was a complete 180 from the outing against the Vikings this past Sunday. In a 63-21 victory, the Raiders topped their previous scoring record of 59 points in their win against the Denver Broncos on October 24, 2010. Last night’s defeat for the Chargers was their worst since October 1, 2000 when they gave up 57 points to the St. Louis Rams.
“We knew at halftime what the record was,” said Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce. “We want to be aggressive regardless of what the score was. If we had 21 or 10, we were going to be aggressive. That was our mindset.”
By halftime, the Raiders were already up 42-0. The Chargers haven’t even crossed midfield by then, mostly due to the loss of star quarterback Justin Herbert who is out for the season for a fractured index finger, and their five-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen who sat out due to an injured heel. Regardless, Raiders quarterback Aiden O’Connell threw four touchdowns in the first half while running backs Zamir White and Branden Bolden rushed for a touchdown each.
Raiders vs Chargers Week 15 | 2023 Season Highlights
One of the greatest plays of the night came early in the third quarter when O’Connell dropped back on a 2nd & 4 and short passed to receiver Jakobi Meyers behind the line of scrimmage. Meyers then threw into the end zone to feed Davante Adams who led his team in yardage for the day with 101 yards. Tre Tucker led all players with two touchdowns, while Myers himself also caught a touchdown pass early on in the first quarter.
If we haven’t already factored in the final nail in the coffin, Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick fumbled at the end of third quarter. Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins picked up the fumble and returned for 44 yards to the house. On the very next drive, Stick threw an interception right into Raiders cornerback Jack Jones who caught the ball with one hand and drove it down for the pick six.
Throughout the obliteration, the Chargers did manage to score three touchdowns. One went to Joshua Palmer for a 79 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Two more tuddies came in the fourth quarter to Alex Erickson and Quentin Johnson.
Bouncing back from one of their worst games in history, the Raiders played one of their best games to date and put out an electrifying performance at Allegiant Stadium. In an AFC West rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, the Raiders will have a Christmas Day showdown next Monday night.
Raiders vs Chargers Week 15 Summary
Raiders vs Chargers Matchup History
Read more Las Vegas Raiders 2023 highlights:
Week 14 – Vikings vs Raiders
Week 12 – Raiders vs Chiefs
Week 11 – Raiders vs Dolphins