Raiders-Chargers: What they’re saying, Raiders make franchise history with 180-degree turnaround

4 days after getting shutout, Las Vegas puts up 63 points

The old adage that “the NFL is a week-to-week league” has never been more true than when comparing the Las Vegas Raiders Week 14 and Week 15 performances of the 2023 campaign. Just four days after getting shut out and suffering an embarrassing 3-0 loss, the Raiders turned around and set a franchise record for points scored by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 on Thursday Night Football.

While Los Angeles managed to add a few garbage time touchdowns to save a shred of dignity, this game was never really in doubt. Las Vegas got things started with a three-and-out by the defense, then marched down the field on a 12-play touchdown drive only to get the ball back via a fumble four plays later and tack on another score before another fumble and six-point drive by the Silver and Black to jump out to a 21-point first-quarter lead.

To make matters even better, the Raiders got key contributions from their role players. Malcolm Koonce finished with a career-high two sacks, both of which were strip sacks, while Zamir White and Tre Tucker recorded their first NFL touchdowns—two for Tucker—and even veterans like Brandon Bolden and 330-pound John Jenkins managed to find paydirt. In total, eight different players scored touchdowns which is the first time in league history.

It was a dominant effort, as Antonio Pierce eloquently put in the quote below, as a few of the highlights from the post-game press conferences and posts/tweets on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, are listed below.

It’s been a month since the Raiders have been able to bust them out, but the victory cigars are back!

Aidan O’Connell was reportedly on a short leash tonight and the coaching staff put the ball in his hands. He responded by going 20/34 with 248 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, and there was never a thought of pulling him from the game.

This was an insane pick-six from Jack Jones and Mark Davis couldn’t believe it.

It’s time for the victory plunge!

A different vibe with Davante Adams walking off this field this time.

Much different…

Jenkins recaps his 44-yard touchdown run.

Raiders honored Hall of Famer Richard Seymour tonight.

Jakobi Meyers threw a touchdown pass to Adams, and the latter recapped the play in the locker room while taking a not-so-subtle jab at his teammate too.

Pierce addressed the team after the game with a loud “RAAAAAAIIIIIDDDDDERRRSSS!”