Raiders Today

Raiders vs. Chargers Live Game Thread

The Las Vegas Raiders try to win their third game in a row with a season finale at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Ezekiel Trezevant

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general overall view of Allegiant Stadium during the opening kickoff of the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Las Vegas Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general overall view of Allegiant Stadium during the opening kickoff of the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Las Vegas Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The Las Vegas Raiders will face the Los Angeles Chargers for the second time this season. The last time these two teams faced each other was during Week 1 when the Chargers beat the Raiders in Los Angeles.

Remember the rule of five. The game is over if the Las Vegas Raiders win that key statistical battle. For those who don't remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Raiders have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game. On average, teams that reach the rule of five scenarios win 91 percent of their NFL games.

Their Week 1 matchup set the tone for both teams. The Chargers have secured a playoff berth, and the Raiders have secured one of the better picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The Chargers' playoff seeding has yet to be solidified. So, their road matchup against the Raiders on Sunday still has some importance for playoff purposes.

Raiders head coach believes that while much has changed for the Raiders since Week 1, he does not think much has changed with the Chargers since then. Pierce feels the Raiders have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the Chargers on Sunday.

"Nothing,” Pierce said. “They're physical. I mean, I think the quarterback is playing really really well, taking care of the football. Number 15, that rookie [Ladd] McConkey is doing a hell of a job. But, I mean it's the same identity when we were ready for them in Week 1. Physical, downhill, big backs, take care of the football, playing really really well on defense. Obviously, some good numbers there with what they're doing with the points from a defensive standpoint, but obviously a well-coached team, well prepared. We'll have our hands full."

Pierce acknowledged a few players who have persevered during a complex and challenging season for everyone involved.

"Aidan O'Connell, quarterback, just for what he went through," Pierce said. "Isaiah Pola-Mao would be one. Big Mike [Michael Mayer] because we lost him for a couple weeks, and I think he bounced back, had a great reception, some good blocks in the game. And then to be honest, I try to givecredit to some guys that have just been consistent each and every game. Robert Spillane, I mean from day one, Week 1, has been a really really good player for us. Tre'von Moehrig, another player that stands out that's just been consistent from day one. So those are ones just off the top of my head."

Be sure to follow along with our live game thread throughout the contest.

START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:

TIMEOUT: Chargers use first timeout of the first half.

PENALTY: Block in the back on the Raiders, enforced from spot of the punt.

SCORING UPDATE No. 1: Raiders make 40-yard field goal. Raiders lead, 3-0.

SCORING UPDATE No. 2: Chargers connect on 33-yard field goal. Tie game, 3-3.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER

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START OF THE SECOND QUARTER:

PENALTY: Neutral zone infraction on Chargers defense.

PENALTY: Offsides on Chargers.

SCORING UPDATE No. 3: Raiders score on 25-yard TD pass from O'Connell to Meyers. Raiders lead 10-7.

TIMEOUT: Chargers use second timeout of first half.

TIMEOUT: Raiders use first timeout of the first half.

PENALTY: Holding on Raiders defense.

PENALTY: False start on Chargers offense.

PENALTY: Holding on Chargers offense.

SCORING UPDATE No. 4: Chargers connect on 32-yard FG. Raiders lead, 10-6.

TIMEOUT: Raiders use second timeout of the first half.

SCORING UPDATE No. 5: Chargers make 49-yard FG. Raiders lead, 10-9.

TURNOVER: O'Connell throws interception on Raiders 30-yard line.

SCORING UPDATE No. 6: Chargers score touchdown to take the lead. Chargers lead 17-10 after converting on two-point conversion.

END OF THE FIRST HALF.

The Raiders were playing a solid half of football until the final two minutes of the half. Clinging to a one-point lead, O'Connell threw an ill-advised pass under pressure that the Chargers intercepted. They would score a few plays later to take a seven-point lead into halftime.

That was the most significant set of plays of the first half after an otherwise admirable performance by the Raiders. Las Vegas' offense moved the ball well until the Raiders' took a 10-3 lead.

Then, it seemed the Raiders' offense had trouble sustaining momentum. The Chargers get the ball first after halftime, and a touchdown on that drive may be enough to put this game out of reach for the Raiders.

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START OF THE THIRD QUARTER

PENALTY: Delay of game called on the Chargers offense.

PENALTY: Defensive pass interference on the Raiders in the endzone.

SCORING UPDATE No. 7: Chargers connect on a 20-yard FG. Chargers lead, 20-10.

PENALTY: Holding called against Chargers defense.

SCORING UPDATE No. 8: Raiders connect on 47-yard FG. Chargers lead, 20-13.

PENALTY: False start on Chargers offense.

START OF THE FOURTH QUARTER:

SCORING UPDATE No. 9: Chargers score touchdown. Chargers lead 27-13.

PENALTY: Illegal contact called on Chargers defense.

TIMEOUT: Chargers use second timeout of the second half.

TURNOVER: Raiders turn the ball over on downs.

TIMEOUT: Chargers take second timeout of second half.

TIMEOUT: Raiders take first time out of second half.

SCORING UPDATE No. 10: Chargers score touchdown. Chargers lead 34-13.

SCORING UPDATE No. 11: Raiders score touchdown. Chargers lead 34-20.

FINAL: Chargers defeat Raiders, 34-20.

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Ezekiel Trezevant
EZEKIEL TREZEVANT

Ezekiel is a former Sports Editor from the Western Herald and former Atlanta Falcons beat writer.

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