A midseason coaching change seemed unlikely for the Chargers as soon as Justin Herbert was ruled out for the season. After a 63-21 "Thursday Night Football" drubbing, however, speculation about Brandon Staley's job is set to intensify yet again.
The Raiders looked like an entirely different team than the one that was shut out by the Vikings four days earlier, firing on all cylinders in the early minutes of the win on Thursday. Las Vegas jumped out to a 42-0 lead by halftime, carving up the Chargers' defense with four touchdown passes from rookie QB Aidan O'Connell. The defense and special teams did their job as well, setting up the offense with a short field twice in the first quarter.
As the score became more lopsided, the game effectively turned into a practice for the Raiders' offense. Las Vegas broke out a handful of trick plays, two of which went for touchdowns, and the Chargers had no answers for anything the Raiders ran.
If Los Angeles does make a midseason change and move on from Staley, the defense's ineptitude will have been the final straw. The unit was utterly lifeless in the first half, failing to generate consistent pressure against a depleted Raiders offensive line and allowing both Michael Mayer and Brandon Bolden to walk into the end zone completely untouched.
MORE: 8 best candidates to replace Brandon Staley if Chargers make a change
It's tough to pin the Chargers' loss on QB Easton Stick, who had a respectable night with a thin receiving corps. Turnovers were an issue — he lost the ball twice after getting crushed by Malcolm Koonce, and Jack Jones later turned what seemed like an ordinary checkdown into a one-handed pick-six — but Stick showed solid command of the offense and made some tight throws with the game out of reach. Still, the Chargers (5-9) looked like a team headed nowhere in their current state.
The Raiders (6-8) might not be headed to the playoffs, but they came out motivated and set a franchise record for points in a performance that might help interim coach Antonio Pierce make his case to keep his job on a full-time basis.
MORE: Where the Raiders' 42-point first half ranks in NFL history
The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Chargers vs. Raiders on "Thursday Night Football." Check out all of the key moments you might have missed.
Chargers vs. Raiders final score
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
Chargers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
Raiders | 21 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 63 |
Chargers vs. Raiders results, highlights from 'Thursday Night Football'
(All times Eastern)
Final: Raiders 63, Chargers 21
11:29 p.m. — And that'll do it! What a night for the Raiders, who recover from a shutout at the hands of the Vikings and hang 63 points on the Chargers in an epic blowout.
11:27 p.m. — The Raiders seem content to just run down the clock as much as possible at this point. They can't take it to zero, though.
RAIDERS 63, CHARGERS 21
11:22 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Make it a three-touchdown night for Stick, who finds the rookie Quentin Johnston in the end zone to cut the lead to 42.
Touchdown Quentin Johnston. @MrJohnston____#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/AVEBFb548Z
11:18 p.m. — The Chargers are moving the ball methodically and have themselves into the red zone after a neutral zone infraction by the Raiders.
11:13 p.m. — Derius Davis runs back the punt all the way to the house...but a holding call will bring the whole thing back.
11:11 p.m. — The Raiders will punt it away on 4th & 1, so 70 points is not in the cards right now.
RAIDERS 63, CHARGERS 14
11:05 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Stick hits Alex Erickson with a great tight-window pass to give the Chargers their second touchdown of the night. It's 63-14, Raiders.
stick → erickson
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023
📺 | @nflonprime pic.twitter.com/JDLvYOsKIx
11:04 p.m. — Palmer, who had easily the Chargers' most explosive play of the night, comes through with a great catch to set up LA in the red zone.
11:02 p.m. — Ekeler gains some steam and bursts ahead with a nice first down run. The Chargers are looking to get to double-digits, and this is their best chance.
10:59 p.m. — Stick finds Stone Smartt for a first down. That's Smartt's second first down of the night as the Chargers try to find any traction at all.
RAIDERS 63, CHARGERS 7
10:54 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Unbelievable. Jack Jones reads Stick perfectly, gets a jump on the play, and snags the ball right out of the air for the easy pick-six. It's 63-7, Raiders.
This Pick-6! Even Mark Davis couldn’t believe it.#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/lcFIh6bAAh
10:53 p.m. — Chargers center Will Clapp has been carted to the locker room.
End of third quarter: Raiders 56, Chargers 7
10:45 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Koonce strips Stick again! It's a big man touchdown for John Jenkins, who muscles his way down the field for the Raiders' eighth touchdown of the night. The Raiders have hung 56 points on the Chargers.
The big fella John Jenkins rumbles in for a TD!#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/9Lqaw7ntlv
10:43 p.m. — Los Angeles strings together a pair of first downs, with Stick finding Ekeler for 12 yards, but the Chargers still have work to do to get the ball into Raiders territory.
10:39 p.m. — The Chargers are able to get the Raiders' offense off the field after Ameer Abdullah comes up three yards short of the first down.
10:35 p.m. — Michael Mayer prevents another quick Raiders drive by picking up a first down on 3rd & 5.
10:32 p.m. — The Chargers go three-and-out themselves, with Easton Stick now 12-of-17 for 160 yards and a touchdown on the night. Nearly half of his yardage came on Palmer's touchdown alone.
10:25 p.m. — An Eric Kendricks sack quickly ends the Raiders' drive, so the Chargers will get another opportunity but are set to start deep in their own territory.
RAIDERS 49, CHARGERS 7
10:21 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — And just like that, the shutout is over! Joshua Palmer just beats Amik Robertson for 79 yards, and Easton Stick has his first NFL touchdown pass.
Joshua Palmer scores a 79-yard TD to cut the lead down to 42#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/RapvkLoVxz
RAIDERS 49, CHARGERS 0
10:16 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Raiders are just toying with the Chargers now. Meyers (yes, Jakobi Meyers) hits Adams for a touchdown, and Las Vegas leads 49-0 as Antonio Pierce keeps his foot right on the gas pedal.
O’Connell to Meyers to Adams!#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/pTTjgqHz0u
10:15 p.m. — Jakobi Meyers sets up 1st & Goal with a 10-yard catch-and-run. O'Connell is up to 226 yards.
10:13 p.m. — The Chargers had a chance to either force a field goal or get the Raiders off the field, but a facemask grab gifts Las Vegas a first down. That kind of night.
10:10 p.m. — The Raiders starting the second half with the ball almost feels like cruel and unusual punishment for the Chargers. After O'Connell hits Davante Adams for 18 yards, Zamir White runs for 15. The Chargers' defense looks like it's checked out.
End of first half: Raiders 42, Chargers 0
9:55 p.m. — The Chargers will head to the break down by 42. Los Angeles' defense looks inept against a Raiders offense playing without Josh Jacobs and with a majority backup offensive line. This next half might be Brandon Staley's last as the team's head coach.
RAIDERS 42, CHARGERS 0
9:51 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — O'Connell had all the time in the world to throw, and he took advantage. It's a touchdown for Tre Tucker to put the Raiders up by 42. An unreal first half on every level.
So, anyone start Aidan O'Connell in the @NFLFantasy playoffs??#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/YZiSGRTq9w
9:47 p.m. — Terrific effort by Ameer Abdullah to get a few extra yards, though the call of a first down is reversed and gives the Raiders 3rd & 1 well into Chargers territory. Las Vegas is in field goal range.
9:45 p.m. — Austin Ekeler is stopped short of the first down marker, and Gerald Everett was offsides anyway. That's the kind of night it's been for the Chargers.
9:42 p.m. — The Chargers will go for it on 4th & 1, because what else can you do? Two minutes until halftime.
RAIDERS 35, CHARGERS 0
9:36 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — What a call by the Raiders! Brandon Bolden takes a direct snap and runs into the end zone untouched. Mayer wasn't touched on Las Vegas' previous TD. It's been that kind of night for the Chargers' defense.
Brandon Bolden takes the snap and goes untouched! 35-0 @Raiders.#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/KxuzHMF85A
9:34 p.m. — Davante Adams goes for 24 yards on a pass from O'Connell, and the Raiders follow it up with a Jakobi Meyers pass to Adams for nine. This offense is pulling out all of the stops tonight.
9:29 p.m. — Stick throws incomplete on third down, so it'll be another punt for the Chargers down 28.
9:27 p.m. — Look who's making an impact: Quentin Johnston finally gets on the board with a 17-yard grab to turn a 2nd & 22 into a 3rd & 5.
RAIDERS 28, CHARGERS 0
9:22 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — No one was even near Michael Mayer, who was able to waltz into the end zone. The Raiders are up by 28 after putting zero on the board last week.
The rookies are putting on a show in Las Vegas! This time it’s Michael Mayer with a TD.#RatedRookie | #RaiderNation
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) December 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/y0M0wwu4XI
9:18 p.m. FUMBLE — The Chargers lose the ball AGAIN. Derius Davis gets stripped on the punt return, and the Raiders instantly have it in the red zone with a chance to go up by four touchdowns.
DJ Turner ripped the ball out and recovered it 🔥#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/vt0RI7SF6E
9:17 p.m. — The Raiders go nowhere on their drive, so the Chargers' defense is starting to show some life. Los Angeles will get the ball back.
9:12 p.m. — Stick comes under pressure and throws incomplete on third down. The Chargers will punt again.
9:09 p.m. — Stick hits Stone Smartt for a first down, which isn't a sentence Chargers fans were hoping to ever hear this season.
9:04 p.m. — Abdullah gets eight yards, but the Raiders aren't in a position to go for it on 4th & 2. They will punt it away for the first time tonight.
9:02 p.m. — O'Connell comes under heavy pressure on second down, so it'll be 3rd & 10 for Las Vegas with a chance for the Chargers to turn this into solid field position if they can get the stop.
End of first quarter: Raiders 21, Chargers 0
8:57 p.m. — Stick gets crushed by former teammate Jerry Tillery on third down to end the first quarter. The Chargers will punt, and they'd like to forget that quarter ever happened.
8:56 p.m. — Gerald Everett stiff arms his way to a first down for the Chargers. LA remains in its own territory.
8:55 p.m. — It might feel like piling on at this point, but it's worth noting Brandon Staley comes from a defensive background. The Chargers' defense, like it has for much of Staley's tenure, looks lifeless tonight.
8:54 p.m. — The Chargers fumble again but recover...that could have been another mess.
RAIDERS 21, CHARGERS 0
8:49 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Wow! A perfect throw by O'Connell, and a terrific diving catch by Jakobi Meyers for the Raiders' third touchdown of the night. Three possessions, two set up by turnovers, and 21 points for Las Vegas after getting shut out last week.
Aidan O'Connell drops a dime and the @Raiders are up 21-0!#LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/QBQN3Hu7ct
8:46 p.m. FUMBLE — What a disaster for the Chargers. Joshua Kelley loses the football on the kick return, and Los Angeles has now committed two turnovers 11 minutes into the game.
8:42 p.m. — The call is confirmed, and the Raiders lead by 14.
RAIDERS 14, CHARGERS 0
8:39 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — O'Connell is dropping dimes! He puts it right into Tre Tucker's arms in the end zone, and the Raiders are in full control already. With the way the Chargers' offense has played, this will be a serious uphill battle for Los Angeles. The play is under review.
Aidan O'Connell has Tre Tucker wide open for a @Raiders TD! #LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/LKd2bOi78B
8:38 p.m. — Michael Mayer helps the Raiders pick up a big first down, taking Las Vegas into Daniel Carlson's range.
8:36 p.m. FUMBLE — Malcolm Koonce comes in and knocks the ball free from Stick. The rookie Tyree Wilson recovers, and the Raiders will take over with a chance to work their way into field goal range.
OUR BALL!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/gdwnLqu9oc
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
8:34 p.m. — Stick has settled in a bit, hitting Jalen Guyton and Gerald Everett for back-to-back first downs.
RAIDERS 7, CHARGERS 0
8:28 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — After Michael Mayer sets up 1st & Goal, the Raiders drive it in on a run by Zamir White! They didn't score last week, but it's already 7-0, Las Vegas.
Zamir White hits paydirt for #RaiderNation #LACvsLV on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/IS3mppzXyP
8:25 p.m. — O'Connell got the job partly because Jimmy Garoppolo couldn't get the ball to Davante Adams, and now O'Connell connects with Adams for a big 24-yard gain. The Raiders are in the red zone after getting shut out last week.
8:22 p.m. — Ameer Abdullah pushes forward for the first 1st down of the night.
8:21 p.m. — Aidan O'Connell goes for it all on 2nd & 2, but Tre Tucker didn't gain enough separation from Michael Davis.
8:20 p.m. — Zamir White, filling in for Jacobs, gets started with an impressive 8-yard run.
8:18 p.m. — The Chargers work it to 3rd & 3, but Stick's third down pass to Gerald Everett falls incomplete. The Raiders force a quick three-and-out. We could see a few of those tonight.
8:15 p.m. — The Chargers will start with the ball, so Stick will get an opportunity right away.
7:45 p.m. — Unlike some of this season's notable backup quarterbacks, Easton Stick isn't a rookie. In fact, he's waited almost five full years for the opportunity to start.
gettin' warm pic.twitter.com/pCsjnnf04H
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 14, 2023
7:15 p.m. — The job status of Chargers coach Brandon Staley is one of the major storyline entering tonight's game, but it feels as though the franchise would've made a change already is a firing was coming midseason. Win or lose, Staley is likely on his last legs in Los Angeles.
6:45 p.m. — Easton Stick won't have a whole lot to work with in his first NFL start. Could this be rookie Quentin Johnston's opportunity for a breakthrough?
6:20 p.m. — There were a few notable injury updates before tonight's game, with Keenan Allen and Josh Jacobs both out but Raiders stars Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby slated to play.
Chargers vs. Raiders start time
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 14
- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT)
Thursday night's game between the Chargers and Raiders will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
MORE: When was the NFL's last 0-0 tie?
What channel is Chargers vs. Raiders on today?
- Game: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 14
- TV channel (Los Angeles): KTTV (Channel 11)
- TV channel (Las Vegas): KNTV (Channel 13)
- Live stream: Amazon Prime Video | DAZN (in Canada)
Thursday's clash between the Chargers and Raiders will air exclusively on Amazon Prime outside of the Los Angeles and Las Vegas local markets. Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color analyst) will be on the call from Allegiant Stadium.
MORE: Why Al Michaels won't be calling playoff game for NBC this season
Viewers in Los Angeles can watch the game on KTTV (Channel 11), while viewers in Las Vegas can watch on KNTV (Channel 13).
Audience members in Canada can stream it on DAZN, which carries every NFL game of the season.