THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 15: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

BY ADAM GREENE

I hope you are sitting down because this is going to hit hard. There are just four weeks of regular season NFL football left and that officially starts with this one as Brandon Staley and Antonio Pierce both conclude their farewell tours as NFL coaches, facing off in what could turn out to be a “loser leaves town” matchup as the Los Angeles Chargers travel to Sin City to take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football.

As two of the original AFL teams, these squads have faced off twice a season (barring strikes and such) since 1960. This will be the 129^th all time meeting between the clubs, with the Raiders holding a 68-58-2 advantage in the series. Los Angeles won the last contest on Oct. 1, 24-17. Justin Herbert (now out for the season) was 13 of 24 passing for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win. Joshua Kelly rushed 17 times for 65 yards. Josh Palmer caught three passes for 77 yards.

In the loss, Aiden O’Connell was 24 of 39 passing for 238 yards, no TDs and a pick. Josh Jacobs carried the ball 17 times for 58 yards. He added eight receptions for 81 yards. Devante Adams caught eight passes for 75 yards.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (-3, O/U: 34)

Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.

Broadcast: Amazon Prime

Kickoff: Dec. 14, 8:15 p.m.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-8)

Chargers fans, all four of them, are probably pretty bummed that Justin Herbert broke his finger last week and is out for the year. Head coach Brandon Staley, probably not as much because that’s likely the only reason he remains employed as Los Angeles fell 24-7 to the Denver Broncos in a result that could have been predicted from the moon. Herbert was 9 of 17 passing for 96 yards, no TDs and a pick before exiting the game and the 2023 season. Easton Stick, who I remain shocked is a real person, was 13 of 24 passing for 179 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in relief. Both QBs were sacked a combined six times. Austin Ekeler rushed 10 times for 51 yards and a score. He added five receptions for 39 yards. Rookie Quentin Johnson caught three passes for 91 yards. The defense sacked Russell Wilson twice and picked him off once.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-8)

Any thought that Antonio Pierce could keep the Raiders head coaching job or that rookie Aiden O’Connell might have an NFL future were dashed in historic fashion as Vegas lost 3-0 to the Minnesota Vikings last week, in the lowest scoring NFL game in 16 years. Wide receiver Devante Adams called it “embarrassing,” but that is far too kind for the absolute crapshow delivered by both teams last Sunday. O’Connell finished 21 of 32 passing for 171 yards, no touchdowns (shocking) and an interception in the loss. He was sacked four times. Adams caught seven passes for 53 yards. The defense allowed just 99 yards total passing and sacked Joshua Dobbs five times before he got the hook for Nick Mullens.

THE PICK

Last week we all assumed, for good reason, that we could get a nightmare of a Thursday night game, but the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers delivered a sloppy, stupid, yet entertaining performance. I’m not sure we’ll get the same this week. I assumed I’d be writing about an interim Chargers coach this week, but, as I mentioned earlier, I think Herbert’s injury kept the executioner’s ax away from Staley’s neck for at least four days. If he loses this one, he won’t even be let onto the plane. And it’s a short flight, but Staley will be walking it. Chargers 13, Raiders 6

Last week

Straight up: 6-9

Against the spread: 6-9

Season

Straight up: 102-64

Against the spread: 92-74

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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