Las Vegas Raiders set franchise record in 63-21 rout of Los Angeles Chargers, keep playoff hopes alive

NEW DELHI: The Las Vegas Raiders delivered a commanding 63-21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in a game that saw quarterback Aidan O'Connell throw for four touchdowns in the first half. This explosive performance helped the Raiders set a franchise record for most points in a game.
The Raiders, now 6-8, showcased a remarkable turnaround from their previous game, where they were shut out in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.O'Connell, completing 20 of 34 passes for 248 yards, played a pivotal role in the victory, keeping the Raiders' slim AFC wild-card hopes alive.

The scoring barrage began with Zamir White's 1-yard run in the first quarter. O'Connell then orchestrated a series of touchdowns, connecting with Tre Tucker for a 30-yard score and Jakobi Meyers for a 22-yard touchdown, both following Chargers turnovers.
The second quarter sealed the game for the Raiders as they built a commanding 42-0 halftime lead. O'Connell capitalized on a fumbled punt, throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Michael Mayer, and later connected with Tucker for a 20-yard touchdown. Brandon Bolden's 26-yard touchdown run and Davante Adams' 3-yard scoring reception from Jakobi Meyers extended the lead.
In the second half, the Raiders continued to dominate, reaching 49-0 with Meyers tossing a 3-yard scoring strike to Davante Adams. The defense contributed to the scoring with John Jenkins returning a fumble 44 yards and Jack Jones intercepting a pass and returning it for a 16-yard touchdown.
Chargers quarterback Easton Stick, starting in place of the injured Justin Herbert, had a solid second half, throwing for three touchdowns, including a 79-yard strike to Joshua Palmer. Despite this effort, the Chargers' losing streak extended to five in their last six games, securing a losing season.
(With Reuters inputs)