The Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders AFC West matchup on Thursday night was one of the more lopsided NFL games in a while. With respective records of 5-8 and little chance of making the postseason, both teams entered the game.
The Raiders discovered motivation to contend. Chargers didn’t either. The Chargers should fire head coach Brandon Staley right away based alone on the contrast between the two performances during L.A.’s 63-21 loss.
Early in the season, Staley—the defensive mastermind selected from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021—was already under pressure. Justin Herbert’s early career has been mostly wasted by Los Angeles, as his defenses have fallen short, his staff has struggled to devise a workable running game, and his decision-making during games has been at best dubious.
The Chargers were rated 17th in points allowed per game, 16th in points scored per game, 27th in yards per carry, and 29th in overall defense as of Thursday.
Even worse, Herbert’s season-ending surgery this week to treat his fractured right index finger cost Los Angeles.
In spite of everything, this defeat marks the lowest point in Staley’s career.
No, the Chargers have little motivation to play hard or a lot of confidence going into Thursday. The Raiders, who are in a similar situation and have already fired head coach Josh McDaniels following Week 8, didn’t do the same.
The opportunity to compete for interim coach Antonio Pierce’s job was the main driving force for Las Vegas. Without a doubt, the players on the Las Vegas roster would adore continuing to play for a manager that has a good rapport with and understanding of his players.
Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby told the team’s official media department, “You want to play for somebody like that because you know he’s got your back” (h/t ProFootballTalk’s Michael David Smith).
The Las Vegas players blasted anyone who had any doubts about their commitment to battle for their head coach on Thursday—after all, they did lose 3-0 in a game in Week 14. Against the rival Chargers, the Raiders surely put on their best show of the season.
At the break, Las Vegas was ahead 42-0. In the second part of the game, it maintained its offensive mindset. There was no attempt on the part of the Chargers. From the first kickoff until the last siren, the players appeared disinterested in being present.
Before Thursday, Brandon Bolden had not been carried once this season, and Los Angeles allowed him to run unchallenged for a touchdown.
They allowed quarterback Aidan O’Connell to pass for four touchdowns to three separate teammates, even though he wasn’t even sure he would start in Week 15. This was due to performance issues.
Even though Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller and center Andre James were both out of the game, the Chargers defense, which sacked O’Connell seven times in their previous encounter, only got to him once on Thursday.
On offense, where quarterback Easton Stick was consistently under pressure, things weren’t much better. The Chargers hardly attempted to find the ball or stopped defensive tackle John Jenkins from streaking into the end zone after one of Las Vegas’ sacks resulted in a turnover.
