Week 15 of the NFL season began with the Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) dismantling the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday Night Football, and we’ve got you covered with all the highlights from start to finish!
Quarterback Easton Stick was at the helm for the Chargers after starter Justin Herbert fractured the index finger on his throwing hand in the team’s Week 14 loss to Denver. Herbert visited two hand specialists earlier this week.
On the other side, QB Aidan O’Connell was once again leading the Raiders, making the seventh start of his rookie season.
Here are the top moments!
Raiders strike first
After forcing the Chargers to go three-and-out to open the game, the Raiders put together a 12-play touchdown drive. Shortly after O’Connell hit wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Michael Mayer for a pair of completions that combined for 37 yards, RB Zamir White smacked in a goal-line touchdown on the ground.
ZAMIR WHITE PUNCHES IT IN!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/xFNGct7R5e
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Loose ball!
On the ensuing possession, defensive end Malcolm Koonce strip-sacked Stick and Tyree Wilson fell on the loose ball for the Raiders, who took over at the Chargers’ 42-yard line.
Raiders force a turnover 💪#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/smsju5gtYg— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Go deep!
Four plays after the Raiders recovered the fumble, O’Connell hooked up with wide receiver Tre Tucker for a 30-yard touchdown.
THAT ROOKIE CONNECTION 🤝#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/sdMXuyOt6O
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
ANOTHER fumble!
Safety Marcus Epps stripped the ball out of running back Joshua Kelley‘s possession, and Jerry Tillery fell on the loose ball for the Raiders.
ANOTHER TAKEWAY!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/WUVlwkwBSj
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
What a grab!
Three plays after the turnover, O’Connell hit wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who pulled off a leaping, 22-yard touchdown reception. The Raiders led 21-0 with 3:07 remaining in the first quarter.
AOC WITH THE DIME TO JAKOBI!!!#LACVsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/McEaakZZoJ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Anger
It was a rough first half for the Chargers, and tight end Gerald Everett let out some of that frustration with an emphatic stiff arm.
Wanna see an angry run? 😡 @lightningstrk12#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/8YngQeOjFl— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Chargers cough it up AGAIN
Early in the second quarter, Chargers punt returner Derius Davis had the ball ripped out of his possession by DJ Turner, who recovered it for the Raiders at the Chargers’ 14-yard line.
DJ Turner ripped the ball out and recovered it 🔥#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/vt0RI7SF6E— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Oscar Mayer
Just two plays after the Raiders recovered the muffed punt, O’Connell got the ball out to tight end Michael Mayer, who got into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown.
MICHAEL MAYER FOR SIX!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/265ScR1ja9
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
It’s a rout
Brandon Bolden got the call on the run for the Raiders and thundered into the end zone for a 26-yard score. They led 35-0 with 3:50 remaining in the second quarter.
Brandon Bolden takes the snap and goes untouched! 35-0 @Raiders.#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/KxuzHMF85A— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
It’s not stopping
Los Angeles turned the ball over on downs at its own 49-yard line. Six plays later, O’Connell and Tucker hooked up for another touchdown connection. This one was a 20-yard scores.
So, anyone start Aidan O'Connell in the @NFLFantasy playoffs??#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/YZiSGRTq9w— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
HALFTIME – Raiders 42, Chargers 0
Las Vegas put six touchdowns on the board in the first half and shut out Los Angeles in doing so. All in all, the Raiders out-gained them 283-89 in total yards, while O’Connell threw for four touchdowns.
Trick-play TD
Las Vegas picked up where it left off in the second half, coming right down the field and scoring its seventh touchdown. O’Connell threw the ball behind the line of scrimmage to Meyers, who then threw a 4-yard touchdown to Adams. It was Meyers’ second completion of the game.
O’Connell to Meyers to Adams!#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/pTTjgqHz0u— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Chargers score!
On the first play of the following possession, Stick hooked up with a wide-open Joshua Palmer for a 79-yard touchdown.
Joshua Palmer scores a 79-yard TD to cut the lead down to 42#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/RapvkLoVxz— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Off he goes!
On the last play of the third quarter, Koonce strip-sacked Stick, and defensive tackle John Jenkins picked up and ran the loose ball back 44 yards for a Raiders touchdown.
The big fella John Jenkins rumbles in for a TD!#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/9Lqaw7ntlv— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Oh no!
On the second play of the next possession, Raiders cornerback Jack Jones stepped in front of Stick’s pass, reeled in a sick, one-handed interception and ran it back 15 yards for a touchdown. Las Vegas led 63-7 with 14:31 remaining in the fourth quarter.
This Pick-6! Even Mark Davis couldn’t believe it.#LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/lcFIh6bAAh— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Stick ‘em
Stick hit wide receivers Alex Erickson and Quentin Johnston for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the Chargers were unable to mount a comeback.
stick → erickson
📺 | @nflonprime pic.twitter.com/JDLvYOsKIx
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023
Pregame scene
gettin' warm pic.twitter.com/pCsjnnf04H
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 14, 2023
Time to lock in 🔒#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/1rAmqgFi0y
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 14, 2023