Las Vegas not only manages an extraordinary victory against the Chargers to kick off the 15th NFL game day, the Raiders also make franchise history.

How quickly the tide can turn. Just three days after the 3-0 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings, the Las Vegas Raiders celebrated a win to kick off the 15th matchday of the current NFL season – and what a win it was!

In the Thursday Night Game, the team led by Head Coach Antonio Pierce won 63:21 against the Los Angeles Chargers, setting a franchise record in the process. The team had never won higher in history. The previous highest win came in October 2010, when they beat the Denver Broncos 59-14.

Against the Chargers, the Raiders led 42-0 at halftime at home in Allegiant Stadium, just three points shy of the New England Patriots, who hold the current record for the largest halftime lead in NFL history with a 45-0 win over the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 season. The Chargers, on the other hand, have never trailed by such a large margin at halftime in team history.

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell put in an impressive performance in the game, completing four touchdown passes in the first half to Jakobi Meyers, Brandon Bolden and Tre Tucker twice.

After the break, star receiver Davante Adams also put a touchdown on the scoreboard, although he received the pass from fellow receiver Meyers. In total, Adams had eight receptions for 101 yards.

Raiders defense shines

The Chargers, on the other hand, had much less going for them. With playmaker Justin Herbert out for the season, Easton Stick took over as starting quarterback. He managed three touchdown passes to Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and Alex Erickson after the break, but also had to accept an interception.

After the Raiders took a significant halftime lead, L.A. was no longer able to pose a serious threat, as the hosts’ defense also shone significantly. The aforementioned interception was carried into the end zone for a pick six and a 44-yard fumble return touchdown was also scored.

After five losses in the last six games and a record of 5:9, the Chargers, led by heavily criticized head coach Brandon Staley, are in last place in the AFC West, while the Raiders are one place ahead with six wins and eight losses.