A week after being shut out at home the Raiders exploded for a team-record 42 first-half points against the Chargers and won going away, 63-21 at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday night.
The Raiders’ 63 points were the most in team history, and quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s four first-half touchdown throws were the most in the NFL this season. It was a team effort, as the Raiders converted five Chargers turnovers into five touchdowns, including a pick-6 interception and a fumble return for a touchdown on consecutive possessions.
Here are the winners and losers after this historic Raiders victory with a historic amount of winners to match.
Winner: RB Zamir White
The Raiders first touchdown came on their first possession on offense, after a three-and-out from the Chargers. Running back Zamir White got the start for injured RB Josh Jacobs and took advantage, converting a 1st-and-goal run for six points. It was his first career touchdown.
White ended up with 69 yards rushing on 17 carries and added 16 receiving yards. Las Vegas had 124 team rushing yards without Jacobs.
Winner: Offensive line/OT Thayer Munford
The Raiders played with a makeshift offensive line due to injuries to offensive tackle Kolton Miller and center Andre James. They paved the way for White and didn’t allow a QB sack in the first half, shutting down superstar DE Khalil Mack, who had six sacks the last time these teams met.
Winner: WR Tre Tucker
After a turnover by the Chargers, wide receiver Tre Tucker caught a touchdown pass from O’Connell and gave the Raiders a 14-0 lead. It was his first career touchdown, and he wasn’t done. Tucker also notched a second TD grab near the end of the first half to give the Raiders their historic 42-0 lead, the second-largest first-half lead in NFL history.
Winner: WR Jakobi Meyers
After Tucker’s first score, the Chargers turned it over again and the Raiders quickly converted with a O’Connell touchdown pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Meyers also had a touchdown throw — yes a touchdown throw — to WR Davante Adams later in the game.
Winner: TE Michael Mayer
After the teams traded second-quarter punts, the Chargers turned it over on special teams. The Raiders quickly capitalized with another O’Connell touchdown pass, this one to tight end Michael Mayer for a 28-0 lead. Mayer looked impressive overall on his four catches on five targets.
Winner: DE Malcolm Koonce/S Marcus Epps
Defensive end Malcolm Koonce looked incredible all evening and forced two fumbles, the first setting up Tucker’s first touchdown. His second strip-sack was on a vicious hit and resulted in a fumble return for a touchdown from defensive tackle John Jenkins. Safety Marcus Epps forced an early fumble to set up Meyers’ score.
Winner: DT John Jenkins
Simply put, Jenkins lived every defensive lineman’s dream with his scoop-and-score. The touchdown gave Las Vegas a 56-7 lead.
BIG MAN TUDDY!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/crRnc5uUD9
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Winner: Cornerback Jack Jones
Just when the national TV audience didn’t think it could get any worse for the Chargers, it did, thanks to an incredible one-handed pick-6 by cornerback Jack Jones. The score gave the Raiders their franchise record in points.
HOUSE CALL FOR JACK JONES! #LACvsLV | 📺 PRIME pic.twitter.com/CnpB53BdNR
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Winner: WR D.J. Turner
Wide receiver D.J. Turner caused a fumble on a Chargers punt return, setting up the touchdown reception for Mayer. It was a huge play for a player who’s been on and off the active roster over the last season-plus.
Winner: QB Aidan O’Connell
During a week when many wondered if he’d be benched, O’Connell led the Raiders onslaught. At night’s end, he had 248 passing yards and four touchdowns, good for a 120.7 QB rating.
Winner: OC Bo Hardegree
Many wondered whether offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree was up to the task as well. Such is the case after being shut out less than a week ago. Hardegree moved to the coaches’ booth and worked magic, even calling multiple successful trick plays, two resulting in touchdowns.
Hardegree diled up not one but two WR passes from Meyers to Adams. They were 2-2 with one touchdown.
16 ➡️ 17 FOR THE TD!!! #ProBowlVote + @jkbmyrs5 + @tae15adams pic.twitter.com/ILqcf8RJJ1
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Earlier in the game, Hardegree called a direct snap to seldom-used RB Brandon Bolden. The play worked like a charm, and also exposed the Chargers’ lack of will this Thursday night.
BRANDON BOLDEN WANTED IN ON THE ACTION!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/xu6seWewoh
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Winner: Coach Antonio Pierce/GM Champ Kelly
Team owner Mark Davis said that his coach and GM search is “wide open” but he’d like his interim coach and GM, Antonio Pierce and Champ Kelly, to get the job. A week after being shut out, the Raiders’ historic night against a division rival gives their chances for permanent roles a major boost.
Winner: WR Davante Adams
One more winner, and that’s Davante Adams. He broke free for some nice catch-and-runs, ending up with 101 receiving yards on eight receptions, along with his touchdown.
Loser: RB Josh Jacobs
The Raiders were without Jacobs, but it didn’t matter much. It’s certainly no indictment on Jacobs — you simply never know what will happen in the NFL or any sport for that matter. Although it can’t be discounted that Jacobs is without a contract for next season, and Las Vegas must decide on his future as a Raider soon.
But regardless, seeing the rout unfold, Jacobs certainly must have wished he was out there with his teammates. That’s the real loss.
Loser: CB Amik Robertson
Whether CB Amik Robertson is playing well or playing poorly, he’s often in the middle of the action.
He got run over with a stiff arm early in the game, and when he met the Chargers receiver later on and made a nice tackle, he got called for taunting. In the second half, he allowed a Chargers wide receiver to run by him for a 79-yard touchdown catch, though there appeared to be a miscommunication with S Tre’von Moehrig on the play.
If it wasn’t already clear, this game proved that anything can happen in the NFL. The Raiders have struggled to score more than 20 points all season and they surpassed that total in the first quarter. Their 42 first-half points were the most in NFL history after being shut out the previous week.
How much this win will mean for Pierce, Kelly, O’Connell, and others remains to be seen. But for now, Raiders fans can simply enjoy a historic beatdown of a division rival. As for the Raiders, they have to find a way to keep their intensity at a high level until their next game at Kansas City on Christmas.
