Raiders gentle up Bolts for 63 in scoring ‘frenzy’

LAS VEGAS — 4 days after bottoming out with a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings within the lowest-scoring indoor sport in NFL historical past, the Las Vegas Raiders balled out in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers, beating their AFC West rivals 63-21 on Thursday evening whereas setting a franchise document for factors scored in a sport.

The 63 factors have been the third most by a crew within the Tremendous Bowl period, and the second most in NFL historical past by a crew that was shut out in its earlier sport, one behind the 64 factors the 1934 Eagles had in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Raiders additionally scored essentially the most factors in a prime-time sport for the reason that 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

From zero to 63?

“I used to be into it,” Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce stated of the blue temper that enveloped the crew after Sunday’s loss. “I needed to slap myself to get out the funk, and [the players] bought me out the funk. They introduced me alongside, and, hell, we kicked some ass at present.

“It grew to become a frenzy.”

It was an entire demolition because the Raiders ended a three-game shedding streak to enhance to 6-8 whereas scoring seven touchdowns on offense and two on protection. That they had 5 takeaways, scoring a landing after each. The Raiders’ 35 factors off takeaways are tied for essentially the most this century, equaling the 2013 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on the Raiders and the 2012 New England Patriots on the New York Jets within the notorious “Butt Fumble” sport.

The Raiders led 42-0 at halftime.

When receiver Jakobi Meyers hit Davante Adams for a 3-yard landing go to place the Raiders up 49-0 within the third quarter, Meyers grew to become the primary non-QB this century to throw a go together with his crew up by at the very least 40 factors. Meyers additionally grew to become the second Raiders participant in franchise historical past with a passing TD and receiving TD in the identical sport, becoming a member of Corridor of Fame operating again Marcus Allen in 1983 in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Raiders’ two defensive TDs — a 44-yard fumble return by defensive sort out John Jenkins and an acrobatic 16-yard pick-six by Jack Jones — have been their first pair in a sport since 2006, when Nnamdi Asomugha and Chris Carr returned interceptions for scores in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Ben Roethlisberger.

With Raiders interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree shifting as much as the press field from the sphere, rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw deep and excelled.

“Clearly, after final week’s efficiency, we needed to make a change,” Pierce stated of shifting Hardegree to the next vantage level. “And I feel it labored out effectively for us.”

O’Connell, who entered the day simply 5-for-20 with one TD and two interceptions on passes of 20-plus air yards, went 3-of-4 with three TDs on such passes within the first half. He’s the primary Raiders QB to throw three TDs of at the very least 20 yards in a sport since ESPN started monitoring air yards in 2006.

O’Connell completed 20-of-34 for 248 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns. He stated the quick week really helped the Raiders recover from the shutout loss to the Vikings as a result of they might not dwell on it.

“It was enjoyable to observe, and enjoyable to be part of,” stated O’Connell, who posted a career-best 120.7 passer score after he had a 66.0 passer score in opposition to the Vikings. “Generally, the celebs simply align.”

Las Vegas, which had scored 20 factors or fewer in 11 of 13 video games, had eight gamers rating TDs. Together with the playoffs, that is tied for the second most in a sport in NFL historical past, and the fifth time that has occurred total.

The Raiders have been with out All-Professional operating again Josh Jacobs (quad), left sort out Kolton Miller (proper shoulder) and heart Andre James (proper ankle) and have a prolonged break earlier than dealing with the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day.

The Chargers have been with out their two greatest offensive gamers, with star quarterback Justin Herbert out for the season following surgical procedure to restore a fractured proper index finger earlier this week and main receiver Keenan Allen out with a heel damage.

In Herbert’s place, Easton Stick was 23-of-32 for 257 yards with three touchdowns but additionally threw an interception and misplaced two fumbles.

Raiders proper sort out Jermaine Eluemunor stated there was “numerous pent-up aggression” after being shut out on Sunday.

“Final week sucked, shedding 3-0,” stated Eluemunor, who shut out Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack after he bought six of his league-leading 15 sacks in opposition to the Raiders in Week 4.

“That is f—ing embarrassing. … And everybody simply wished to come back out right here at present and simply … let all of it out. Particularly on a brief week like this.”

Raiders All-Professional receiver Adams agreed.

“Clearly, we nonetheless bought issues to play for, however you have to have that satisfaction of your final title and the crew you play for and all of us had that on our thoughts at present,” he stated after catching a game-high eight passes for 101 yards and the landing.

“We rallied and discovered a solution to do it the fitting approach. Began out nice, protection bought on the sphere and bought them proper off and I feel we have simply been type of snowballing off what they have been doing all yr and we have got to discover a solution to be somewhat bit extra constant on offense.”

With the Miami Dolphins beating the Denver Broncos 70-20 in Week 3, that is the primary season by which a number of groups have scored at the very least 60 factors since 1972.

“We was on the opposite aspect of [a shutout] final week and it felt a sure approach,” Pierce stated. “No apologies right here. Sorry.”