LAS VEGAS — Break up the Las Vegas Raiders‘ offense.
Four days after getting shut out in a 3-0 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, the Raiders scored a trio of first-quarter touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night. The Raiders had only scored 21 points in a game once before Thursday.
Las Vegas’ first score was a 1-yard TD plunge by Zamir White, his first career score as he was starting in place of injured All-Pro Josh Jacobs. It came on the Raiders’ initial offensive possession. The Raiders had gone 15 straight drives without a point, dating to the final three possessions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. It was their longest such drought since 2019, when they had 18 straight scoreless drives.
A pair of takeaways by the Raiders defense set up the next two scores — defensive end Malcolm Koonce with a strip-sack of Chargers quarterback Easton Stick which rookie defensive end Tyree Wilson recovered and safety Marcus Epps popping running back Joshua Kelly to force a fumble, with Raiders defensive tackle Jerry Tillery jumping on the ball.
The first fumble recovery set up an eye-opening touchdown, as rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell found speedy rookie receiver Tre Tucker, who blew by Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. for a 30-yard touchdown catch.
THAT ROOKIE CONNECTION 🤝#LACvsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/sdMXuyOt6O
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
Tucker had to survive the replay official as he appeared to bobble to ball before going out of bounds. After a lengthy review, the initial call of TD stood.
The second recovery set up the Raiders’ third first-quarter TD, with O’Connell finding Jakobi Meyers for a quick 22-yard score.
AOC WITH THE DIME TO JAKOBI!!!#LACVsLV | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/McEaakZZoJ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023
The Raiders’ 21 points were their most in a first quarter since 2010, when they led 24-0 after one quarter against the Broncos en route to a 59-14 victory. It is also the first time they’ve scored three touchdowns on their first three possessions since 2015 against the New York Jets.
