LAS VEGAS — The Raiders decimated the Chargers in a historic 63-21 decision Thursday. The lopsided result doesn’t necessarily put them back in the playoff hunt — they’re still 6-8 and their chances remain minuscule. But in scoring the most points in a game in franchise history, the Raiders’ blowout victory represents a major sign of promise that extends far beyond just one game.
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That’s because the Raiders’ two-way shellacking of the Chargers was packed with impressive performances from young players on both sides of the ball. Whether or not the Raiders ultimately fall short of the postseason, that’s something that could positively change the team’s fortunes in the years to come.
Let’s start with the offense. Missing three starters — running back Josh Jacobs, left tackle Kolton Miller and center Andre James — Las Vegas got off to a red-hot start, scoring 21 points in the first quarter. The offense followed that up with another 21 points in the second quarter, while the defense continued to hold the Chargers scoreless, to lead 42-0 at the half. It tied for the second-largest halftime lead in NFL history.
The Chargers defense has been terrible all season, but this was on another level. One week after being shut out in an embarrassing 3-0 home loss to the Vikings, the Raiders delivered their best scoring performance ever.
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“We kicked some ass today,” interim head coach Antonio Pierce said Thursday.
Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell delivered his finest outing as a pro. He completed 20 of 34 passes (58.8 percent) for 248 yards, four touchdowns (all in the first half) and zero interceptions. He displayed significant growth from his rocky career debut against the Chargers back in Week 4.
“You try not to get too high and try not to get too low,” O’Connell said after the game. “This week, (former starter) Jimmy (Garoppolo) actually did help me a lot. We had some good discussions about what the NFL is, how hard it is every week and how hard it is to bounce back. … But it’s week to week. Anything can happen. I’ve got great guys in my corner — (veteran backup) Brian (Hoyer) and Jimmy are both super supportive — and they’re helping me tread through the waters here in my first year.”
The Raiders should remain aggressive when it comes to adding a quarterback this offseason no matter how well O’Connell plays down the stretch, but he should get a chance to compete for the starting job in 2024. At the very least, he has proven he could be a reliable backup capable of stepping in as a spot starter.
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Thursday night, rookie receiver Tre Tucker hauled in three catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns, the first scores of his career. The first was a 30-yard strike from O’Connell in the first quarter. Tucker bobbled the pass — something that has happened too often this season — and the ruling on the field was questionable, but his exceptional speed and smooth route running were signs of his big-play potential.
Tucker would later exhibit those traits for a second time on a 20-yard touchdown grab from O’Connell in the second quarter. This time, he left no doubt about whether it was a catch. He’s becoming the playmaker the Raiders envisioned when they drafted him in the third round last April.
6 TOUCHDOWNS IN THE FIRST HALF!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/JvHhnNrPTj
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
“It starts back with what (former head coach) Josh (McDaniels) was saying. He was a great coach. He pushed me really hard. He told me, ‘You were drafted high here for a reason. You came to play,'” Tucker said Thursday. “It was just understanding that my role is what I make it. … Each and every week, I’ve just gotten better.”
Rookie tight end Michael Mayer hauled in four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. Both as a receiver and blocker, the Notre Dame product has only gotten better as the season has gone on.
“I think it’s just having confidence in myself,” Mayer said Thursday. “It’s finding my identity and finding what I can do to help this team win.”
MICHAEL MAYER FOR SIX!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/265ScR1ja9
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
With Jacobs out due to a knee injury, second-year running back Zamir White made his first career start. The fourth-round pick in 2022 was drafted to replace Jacobs but had just 37 career carries coming into the game because of Jacobs’ reliability.
“It’s been a long time coming for me,” White said. “I’ve been patiently waiting behind J.J. He’s a great player, so I was just waiting my turn. I was finally able to go out there and just give it what I got.”
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Against the Chargers, White had 17 carries for 69 yards and made three catches for 16 yards. He showed off his short-yardage power on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, the first of his career.
Down two starters on the offensive line, the Raiders moved second-year man Dylan Parham from his usual spot at left guard to center and, for the second straight game, started another second-year man, Thayer Munford, at left tackle. Munford may be best suited to be a swing tackle, but that’s still a valuable role on the O-line. Parham, on the other hand, showed why he’ll likely be the Raiders’ starting center next season. The Raiders had decent success running the ball and held up well in pass protection, allowing just one sack, a stark contrast to the seven they allowed in the first meeting with the Chargers.
“They did an awesome job,” O’Connell said of the offensive line. “They’re not the ones scoring touchdowns; they’re just doing the dirty work. … They really led the way tonight.”
Although the Las Vegas offense understandably drew the most attention, several up-and-coming players on defense shouldn’t be overlooked. The defense scored twice on turnovers, both of which were caused by young players. Yes, the Raiders were facing a Chargers offense that was without star quarterback Justin Herbert and talented receiver Keenan Allen, but the defense shut the Los Angeles attack down until the game was well out of reach. Patrick Graham’s unit has been good all season, but its consistency in its level of play has shown that it’s no fluke.
In the wake of the release of defensive end Chandler Jones earlier this season, third-year defensive end Malcolm Koonce has made a drastic leap after being a non-factor in his first two seasons in the league. Against the Chargers, he had two sacks, three quarterback hits and two forced fumbles. Koonce’s second forced fumble was returned 44 yards for a touchdown by defensive tackle John Jenkins in the third quarter.
BIG MAN TUDDY!!!#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/crRnc5uUD9
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Rookie defensive end Tyree Wilson, the seventh pick in last April’s draft, has left much to be desired, but Koonce’s emergence has been instrumental in helping the Raiders produce a solid pass rush. He has four sacks and three forced fumbles this season, has generated consistent pressure and has greatly improved against the run.
“I’m just trying to make the best of my opportunities,” Koonce said Thursday. “I’m trying to become a complete player and an all-around good football player in general, not just a pass rusher.”
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At the second level of the defense, third-year linebacker Divine Deablo led the Raiders with 12 tackles. Fellow linebacker Robert Spillane has been excellent this season, but Deablo has quietly been a reliable running mate.
In the secondary, second-year cornerback Jack Jones, third-year nickelback Nate Hobbs and third-year safety Tre’von Moehrig all played well. Hobbs and Moehrig are locks to be starters next year, and Jones could put himself in the mix if he keeps making plays like his athletic 15-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
HOUSE CALL FOR JACK JONES! #LACvsLV | 📺 PRIME pic.twitter.com/CnpB53BdNR
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
“This is a talented individual,” Pierce said of Jones. “When we brought him in, I told (owner) Mr. (Mark) Davis and (interim general manager) Champ (Kelly) this is a guy that just needs some loving and maturity and he needs a good locker room around him, which we have. He’ll really blossom here.”
The Raiders’ most complete game of the season was a showcase for a litany of players still on rookie contracts. When it comes to their future, how much that’s replicated over the next three games means far more than the team’s record. The Raiders had core veterans — receiver Davante Adams, defensive end Maxx Crosby, safety Marcus Epps and Spillane, among others — show out as well, but we already know what they’re about. In order to achieve something sustainable, they must be complemented by the progression of the younger players on the roster. Whoever owner Mark Davis hires as the franchise’s next leaders — he hopes it’s Kelly and Pierce — the value of having a collection of cheap, ascending talent already onboard can’t be overstated.
“This is just the start of it,” Jack Jones said Thursday. “We’re getting it going. We’re putting our foot in the door and we’re going to make some noise.”
(Photo of Tre Tucker: Candice Ward / Getty Images)
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