Raiders and Chargers Thursday Night Football highlights as Las Vegas sets franchise record for points

Four days after they were shut out in a 3-0 home defeat, the Las Vegas Raiders broke the franchise’s single-game scoring record in a 63-21 annihilation of the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Raiders preyed upon Chargers mistakes, turning all five Los Angeles turnovers into touchdowns — two directly on a scoop-and-score by John Jenkins and a pick-six by Jack Jones.

Las Vegas jumped out to a 42-0 halftime lead — nearly the NFL record — with quarterback Aidan O’Connell tossing four touchdowns. The Raiders also had two scores on the ground before the break. O’Connell finished 20-for-34 for 248 yards in a massive bounce-back performance after his Sunday struggles against the Minnesota Vikings.

Easton Stick got the start for the Chargers with Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert lost for the season. Stick went 23-for-32 for 257 yards with three touchdowns. He did throw a pick-six … when the Chargers were already down 56-7. He wasn’t the Chargers’ only problem this night.

While the Raiders (6-8) were celebrating one of the biggest beatdowns in team history, the Chargers (5-9) were left licking their wounds after one of their biggest defeats. The 63 points were the most the Chargers have ever allowed (and only six teams have ever scored more in one regular-season game). Their sloppy — at times embarrassing — performance also ratchets up the pressure on coach Brandon Staley, whose seat has gone from hot to downright scalding. — Jace Evans

Winners and losers from Raiders’ win over Chargers

WINNERS

Antonio Pierce, Raiders rebound: The Raiders were shut out last week and bounced back by setting a franchise record 63 points in a single game.

The Raiders’ effort late in a disappointing season is a testament to interim head coach Antonio Pierce. They are still fighting and playing with good effort.

The Raiders had a 42-0 halftime lead. The Raiders set a franchise record for their largest ever halftime lead. Las Vegas also set an NFL record for scoring the most points in a first half after being shut out the previous game.

In 2009, the Patriots set an NFL mark for largest ever halftime lead when they were ahead 45-0 over Titans at halftime. The Raiders almost matched the mark.

The Raiders scored 42 combined points in their last four games. They torched the Chargers for 63 on Thursday night.

Raiders defense: The Raiders defense forced five turnovers. Malcolm Koonce, DJ Turner, Robert Spillane and Marcus Epps all forced fumbles. Koonce forced two fumbles and tallied two sacks.

The Raiders recovered four of the Chargers’ fumbles and cornerback Jack Jones had a nice pick-six.

Las Vegas scored 35 points off Chargers turnovers.

Aidan O’Connell: The rookie quarterback was in danger of losing his starting job in Week 15, but his performance against the Chargers will give him at least another week as the team’s starter.

Against a hapless Chargers defense, O’Connell passed for 248 yards and four touchdowns in what was his best performance of his rookie season.

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Raiders star wideout Davante Adams produced eight catches, 101 yards and one touchdown.

Chargers draft status: The Chargers are at the point where they have to start thinking about the upcoming NFL draft. The Chargers entered Week 15 with a record that has them positioned with the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Chargers are sure to climb higher in the top 10, especially if they continue to perform like they did against the Raiders.

LOSERS

Brandon Staley: The Chargers’ head coach was trending on social media on Thursday night for all the wrong reasons. Staley entered Week 15 on the hot seat. The temperature on his seat can’t get any hotter after the Chargers’ embarrassing performance.

Staley has a 24-24 record as Chargers head coach. He might not have that title for much longer.

The Chargers’ effort on Thursday night was a clear indication that Staley’s message isn’t resonating anymore in the locker room.

Michael Davis, Chargers defense: Chargers cornerback Michael Davis allowed six catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone. The Raiders picked on Davis for much of the game. But Davis was hardly the only problem for an abysmal Chargers defense.

Poor tackling combine with a terrible effort was a consistent theme throughout the game. The defense played as if they didn’t want to be in Las Vegas.

The 63 points are the most points the Chargers have ever given up. — Tyler Dragon

Raiders-Chargers highlights

Four days after losing 3-0, the Raiders scored 42 points by halftime, didn’t let the Chargers cross midfield until the third quarter and rolled to a record-setting 63-21 victory on Thursday night.

Where Raiders’ 63 points ranks among most-ever in an NFL game

The Las Vegas Raiders set a franchise record for most points in a game — also had the biggest point differential for a team from one game to the next — and finished with the eighth-most points scored by a team in a game.

Here are the highest points totals for a team in NFL history:

1. 73-0 — Chicago Bears over Washington in NFL championship game, Dec. 8, 1940

2. 72-41 — Washington over New York Giants, Nov. 27, 1966

3 (tie). 70-20 — Miami Dolphins over Denver Broncos, Sept. 24, 2023

3 (tie). 70-27 — Los Angeles Rams over Baltimore Colts, Oct. 22, 1950

5 (tie). 65-24 — Los Angeles Rams over Detroit Lions, Oct. 29, 1950

5 (tie). 65-20 — Chicago Cardinals over New York Bulldogs, Nov. 13, 1949

7. 64-0 — Philadelphia Eagles over Cincinnati Reds, Nov. 6, 1934

8 (tie). 63-21 — Las Vegas Raiders over Los Angeles Chargers, Dec. 14, 2023