Simply while you thought issues could not worsen for the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9), they someway outdid themselves in an embarrassing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) on “Thursday Night time Soccer,” falling 63-21. Listed below are three takeaways from the Raiders’ one-sided victory:
Chargers HC Brandon Staley is pretty much as good as gone: If it wasn’t already a foregone conclusion, the Chargers’ efficiency in Week 15 all however assured Staley’s destiny.
The Chargers appeared lifeless from the bounce and confirmed little, if any, battle as soon as the sport obtained out of hand. Within the blink of an eye fixed, the Raiders had a 21-0 benefit via the primary quarter earlier than including on to guide 42-0 at halftime, the biggest deficit confronted by the Chargers within the franchise’s historical past. On the break, a visibly distraught Staley admitted to sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung that his staff “didn’t come able to play,” which could be the understatement of the yr.
Credit score to Staley for taking his medication, but when former Seattle Seahawks All-Professional Richard Sherman had his manner, he’d have canned the pinnacle coach earlier than the beginning of the third quarter.
Following Thursday’s rock-bottom second, the writing is on the wall for Staley and the Chargers. Change is on the best way. The one query is whether or not he’ll be employed come Monday.
Raiders offense did what they favored vs. Chargers: Every week faraway from a 3-0 shutout loss towards the Minnesota Vikings, the offense was unstoppable on Thursday. Led by QB Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas produced its highest-scoring output in franchise historical past, surpassing the earlier mark of 59 (2010).
O’Connell threw for 248 yards (7.3 YPA) whereas changing into the primary Raiders QB since Daryle Lamonica (1969) to throw 4 first-half TDs. In the meantime, he joins Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis and Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud as the one rookies to have 4 passing scores in a recreation this season. Unsurprisingly, O’Connell wasn’t the one Raider to hitch the scoring parade. Eight completely different Raiders discovered the tip zone, probably the most by a staff because the 1950 Los Angeles Rams.
Whereas the Raiders made historical past on the scoreboard, so did the Chargers, solely not in the best way they might have favored. The 63 factors towards is probably the most allowed in a recreation by the Chargers, topping the earlier mark of 57 factors set in 2000.
Raiders protection continues to shine: A shiny spot a lot of the yr, the protection has stepped it up a notch because the bye week. They shut out the Chargers within the first half after permitting solely three factors to the Vikings every week in the past in a 3-0 loss. The unit did surrender 21 factors, however all of them got here with the sport effectively in hand.
In opposition to a hapless Chargers offense led by QB Easton Stick, they took full benefit and did not permit their first rating till the staff had constructed up a commanding 49-0 lead. In the meantime, they completed the night time with 5 takeaways (4 fumbles, one interception), together with a fumble restoration for a rating from defensive sort out John Jenkins and a pick-six by cornerback Jack Jones.
After the win, the Raiders are 6-8, and consider it or not, they’re nonetheless alive within the AFC playoff race. In the event that they’re to remain within the hunt, they will want their protection to maintain acting at a excessive degree.