Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) scores on a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Chargers in first half action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Thu Dec 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) put the hurt on the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) Thursday night. At the half the Raiders led 42-0 and never looked back. The Chargers did manage three touchdowns in the second half but the Las Vegas lead was insurmountable. The final was 63-21. 

Thursday night the Raiders took on the Chargers.Two struggling teams, two teams with identical records going into this game and both teams looking to improve their season record. The Chargers were without quarterback Justin Herbert who went through a surgery on his fractured right index finger. Season-ending injuries more often than not sink a team and the recovery time for Herbert is roughly six weeks. 

In other words this season is finished for the quarterback. The Chargers relied on back-up quarterback Easton Stick to lead the charge. The Raiders continued to stick with Aiden O’Connell.

 Las Vegas had a tough loss to the Vikings last Sunday in a very winnable game that all came down to a turnover; a Hunter Renfrow fumble at the Minnesota 20 yard-line. In the fourth quarter of the Minnesota game. Raider running back Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury and missed tonight’s game.

Game recap: The first quarter of this game was a shocker. When the quarter came to and end the Raiders had a 21-0 lead. The last play of the opening quarter was a sack of the San Diego quarterback Easton Stick as the Las Vegas defense manhandled him the entire quarter. The first Raider touchdown was a one yard rush from Zamir White. 

Las Vegas kept the heat on and at 4:41 quarterback Aiden O’Connell connected with Tre Tucker for 30 yards and a 14-0 lead. At 3:07 the Raiders struck again with O’Connell finding Jakobi Meyers for 22 yards and their third touchdown of the game leading 21-0. This was an amazing start for Las Vegas 

The Raiders recovered another fumble deep in the Chargers territory in the second quarter at 9:32. The Chargers had given the ball away three times so far in this game. The Raiders turned that turnover into an eleven yard touchdown courtesy of O’Connell to Michael Meyer giving Las Vegas a 28-0 lead.

 O’Connell had thrown for 134 yards and three touchdowns so far in this game. The game had turned into an absolute nightmare for San Diego and would prove to be unending. The first half was a happy, happy night for Raider fans present at Allegiant Stadium for this nationally televised game. 

Las Vegas even turned to some razzle dazzle which eventually resulted in another touchdown. Brandon Bolton who had not carried the ball all season had two rushes, the second resulting in a 26 yard run and the Raiders fifth touchdown extending the Raiders lead to 35-0. 

The Las Vegas defense was having their way with the Charger’s offense and Los Angles was defenseless suffering stops on most of their possessions. It had been all Raiders, all night through two quarters. 

Just for good measure, Tre Tucker celebrated his second touchdown catch of the game with 0.31 seconds left in the half for a 42-0 Raider lead. There was still another half of football to play but the Chargers had a huge mountain to conquer. This was the largest half time lead in Raider team history.

O’Connell had thrown for 198 yards and four touchdowns in the half. The Las Vegas receiving effort was stellar with Devante Adams leading the pack with five catches for 73 yards. Las Vegas would get the ball to start the second half.

Apparently Adams wanted in on the action. At 10:42 in the third quarter he caught a three yard pass from Jakobi Meyers and the Raiders continued their onslaught leading 49-0. They would end the third quarter with a 44 yard fumble recovery for yet another touchdown. 

The Raiders John Jenkins ambled down the field leading the Charger defense on another wild goose chase taking a 56-7 lead. Earlier the Chargers had scored at 10:27 when Easton Stick connected with Joshua Palmer for their first touchdown of the game.

The Raiders opened the fourth quarter with another pick by Jack Jones for a 63-7 lead. This game was all but done at the half and this was just icing on the cake. The Chargers did score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. 

What a night for the Raiders. O’Connell finished with 4 touchdowns and 248 passing yards. They rushed for 124 yards with Zamir White leading the way with 69 yards. Adams had a stellar night receiving for 101 yards and one touchdown. This team that got shutout last Sunday came back with a vengeance and put on an amazing display. 

The Raiders will be back on the field Christmas Day taking on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Chiefs have had their struggles lately and will be looking to turn that around. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 10:00 AM