Tag: chargers raiders

2023 Power Rankings Roundup, Week 16: Where Chargers stand after loss to Raiders

Here is what the national media thinks of the Chargers after their loss to the Raiders.

The Chargers are coming off a loss to the Raiders.

Here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts ahead of Week 16:

USA Today: 31 (Previous: 29)

“And Brandon Staley wondered why he kept getting asked if he would relinquish defensive play-calling duties. At least he managed to surrender a team-record 63 points on his way out the door.”

Touchdown Wire: 25 (Previous: 21)

“Watching the Chargers without Justin Hebert is cruel and unusual punishment. At least we’ll see him with a new, hopefully competent, head coach the next time we see him take the field.”

NFL: 27 (Previous: 26)

“It doesn’t feel like the Chargers wanted to make an in-season firing, but last week’s thrashing by the Raiders necessitated a move on head coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco. It just wasn’t working, pretty much from the playoff meltdown last January on, but there were signs before that, too. The entire season is a loss now, with several key players now facing offseason rehab, including QB Justin Herbert. Having Herbert in tow for the prime years of his career will add to the appeal of the job, and the roster isn’t in awful shape, even with some major contract decisions looming. The Bolts are also cruising toward a top-10 pick in April, and if this season has shown us anything, it’s that Patrick Mahomes might not be immortal. Even still, those are wound-licking consolations right now that the Chargers hope might, mercifully, pay off one day.”

CBS Sports: 29 (Previous: 29)

“They had no choice but to fire head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. It’s hard to believe this was a playoff team last year.”

ESPN: 28 (Previous: 25)

We’re No. 1 … in attempts on third-and-short.

“The Chargers are tied for the league’s best in attempts on third-and-short (63), which is defined as third-down plays with less than or equal to 3 yards to the first-down marker or end zone. But the Chargers are also 29th in third-and-short conversion percentage (49.2%). This stat is likely reflective of the Chargers’ ineffective run game, which they have tried to spark all season but still ranks 27th in rushing yards per game (95.7). The Chargers’ ineffective rushing attack makes them somewhat one-dimensional in these scenarios, relying on short passes that the defense can predict. Against the Broncos, for example the Chargers were 0-for-12 on third down. This stat, like many for the Chargers this season, is reflective of missed opportunities.”

Yahoo Sports: 28 (Previous: 27)

“Everyone knew by halftime last Thursday that Brandon Staley was getting fired. That no-show by the Chargers was an embarrassment to the entire franchise. What’s next? You’d probably prefer an experienced coach who can win right away with a talented roster. And yes, Bill Belichick’s name is probably going to come up with this opening a few times.”

The Athletic: 28 (Previous: 27)

Surprise: That it took this long

The Chargers finally fired Brandon Staley, who fell to 24-24 in three seasons with Thursday night’s embarrassing loss. It was the fifth loss in the last six games for Los Angeles, which entered the season with playoff hopes and now is the second-worst team in the AFC, ahead of only the Patriots. Staley was hired because he was supposed to be an up-and-coming defensive guru, but the Chargers are 27th in points (24.6) and yards per play (5.6) allowed.

The infamous moments that led to Brandon Staley’s departure

There are three distinct moments that will forever define Brandon Staley’s career with the Chargers. 

The Chargers fired Brandon Staley on Friday.

While there are various reasons why Staley was let go, there are three distinct moments that will forever define his career with Los Angeles. 

The controversial timeout. The first notorious occasion of the Staley era was the Week 18 game versus the Raiders in 2021. The matchup was not only against division rivals Las Vegas, but it also had beguiling playoff implications. The Bolts and Raiders both had the opportunity to go to the playoffs–if the game ended in a tie. 

In true Justin Herbert fashion, the talented quarterback led Los Angeles on the game-tying drive by throwing a touchdown on the last play of regulation. Overtime led to a Raiders’ field goal and the Chargers responded with a field goal of their own. The game was tied with 38 seconds left and it looked as though each team would get their fairytale ending. Although the Raiders had the ball, it appeared as though they were setting up to let the clock expire when Staley bizarrely chose to call a timeout. 

His decision to call the timeout led everyone to believe that it was the reason Las Vegas went for the first down which set them up for a field goal. This was further confirmed postgame when NBC’s Michelle Tafoya asked Raiders quarterback Derek Carr if the timeout made a difference and he replied, “It definitely did, obviously.” 

The defensive guru loses at his own game. The second notorious moment in Staley’s career was in the 2022 playoffs. Staley has always been a defensive-minded coach and as the saying goes ‘defense wins championships’ so it seemed that he was exactly what the Chargers needed. 

Nevertheless, Staley’s poor decision-making on defense was showcased on primetime when the Bolts faced the Jaguars in the AFC wild-card matchup. It was smooth sailing after Los Angeles scored 27 points and held Jacksonville to none, or so it seemed. Staley’s defensive unit intercepted Trevor Lawrence four times in the first half but what should’ve been total domination quickly turned into total chaos. 

The defensive woes that had hurt the Bolts all season showed its’ ugly face and Lawrence was able to throw four touchdown passes. 

After blowing a 27-0 lead to Jacksonville in the Bolts’ first playoff appearance in four years, it seemed as if Staley wasn’t the right man for the job. People already began to wonder whether he’d be the Chargers head coach after the loss to the Jaguars in 2022. 

The last straw. The Raiders once again played a main role in Staley’s infamous moments as they faced the Chargers on Thursday Night Football. It was arguably the Bolts’ most embarrassing performance in franchise history as they allowed Las Vegas to destroy them 63-21. It was a historic night for the Raiders but it was a horrific night for Staley. 

Just a few weeks prior he had snapped at a reporter in his postgame press conference after losing to the Packers.

“You can stop asking that question,” Staley told the reporter. “I am going to be calling the defenses. So we’re clear. So you don’t have to ask that again.”

Maybe it wasn’t his poor decision making or questionable play calling, but rather, his pride and inability to change that led to Staley’s bitter end. 

Staley had three seasons to make the necessary changes yet he never relented. He continued to dig himself into a hole and he eventually jumped in with the historic 63-21 loss to the Raiders. 

Chargers fire head coach Brandon Staley, general manager Tom Telesco

The Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco era is over in Los Angeles.

The Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco era is over in Los Angeles.

The Chargers fired Staley and Telesco on Friday following the team’s 63-21 loss to the Raiders.

The interim coach and general manager will be announced later today, per the team’s official release.

This is the first time Dean Spanos fired a coach midseason since 1998 when the team moved on from Kevin Gilbride, replacing him with June Jones.

Staley departs after posting a 24-24 record in the three seasons, including a 0-1 record in the only season he made the playoffs in 2022. Telesco spent 11 years as the team’s general manager. Los Angeles was 84-92, with three playoff appearances in that span.

Parting ways with Staley would have made sense after last year’s historic loss to the Jaguars in the postseason. Los Angeles gave him another shot, and things didn’t get any better.

As for Telesco, he brought in top-end players but the depth consistently was lacking, thus never leading to success on the field.

Staley was hired back in 2021 after overseeing the league’s best defense when he was the Rams defensive coordinator in 2020.

Despite being touted as a defensive guru and investing heavily in premium players, that side of the ball remained the weak link since his arrival.

It was on full display as the Chargers allowed the most points in franchise history on Thursday, which was the last straw for Staley.

This season, Los Angeles is 29th in total yards allowed and passing yards allowed and 27th in points allowed.

Beyond the underachieving defenses, Staley was at the helm for a multitude of late-game meltdowns, head-scratching in-game decisions and injuries to big-name players.

In Staley’s three seasons with the Chargers, of the 24 losses, 16 games had been lost by a touchdown or less, with 12 of those decided by three points or fewer.

The Bolts have appeared in the playoffs just three times over the past ten years, have not won the AFC West division since 2009 and last made the AFC championship game following the 2007 season.

Brandon Staley on whether he’ll remain Chargers’ head coach: ‘I don’t know that’

Brandon Staley was pressed by media members following the Chargers’ loss to the Raiders.

Brandon Staley was predictably grilled at his postgame presser following the Chargers’ 63-21 loss to the Raiders. LA went into halftime down 42-0 and gave up a franchise record for points allowed in a game.

Staley was asked whether he thinks he will have his job tomorrow and he responded: “I don’t know that.”

Then, asked if he thinks he should, he said, “Yes.” Why? “I know what I’ve done here for three years. I know what I’ve put into this … I know the type of coach I am.”

Staley also said that losses like Thursdays’ have happened to a number of high-profile coaches when asked a second time why he thinks he should keep his job with the result.

“It’s a reflection on all of us,” Staley said when asked about the result. He went on to push back on other questions. When asked about a potential disconnect in the locker room, Staley denied it outright.

It seems like Staley will have a meeting with ownership after this game. During his press conference, he said that one takes place 24 hours after every game. On Friday or Saturday, we should have some resolution on his fate.

Assuming he is still the head coach, Staley and the Chargers will have to rebound in just a little over the week to play the Bills in a primetime game.

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 63-21 loss to Raiders

Recapping one of the Chargers’ worst losses in franchise history.

Do you really need four of these? Like, really? They let the Raiders score 63 points. Come on.

Social media reacts to Chargers’ 63-21 loss to Raiders

Here is how social media reacted to the Chargers’ embarrassing loss to the Raiders.

The Chargers lost big in Vegas Thursday night.

The Raiders scored 63 points and more than half of those points were in the first half. Although the final score of the matchup was 63-21, it was a clear sign that change is needed within the franchise.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Bolts’ embarrassing loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Everything to know about Chargers’ embarrassing loss to Raiders

The Chargers were embarrassed in prime time.

The Chargers got embarrassed by the Raiders on Thursday night while the entire nation watched.

To recap Los Angeles’ 63-21 loss to Las Vegas, here is everything to know.

Social media reacts to Chargers’ disastrous first half

The world is roasting Brandon Staley’s Chargers.

Although many predicted Thursday night’s matchup against the Raiders to be a dull game, the Chargers defense has allowed Las Vegas to score 42 points and it’s only the first half.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Bolts’ horrific first half:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Raiders?

Find out who the experts are picking between the Chargers and Raiders.

The Chargers are 3-point underdogs to the Raiders in Week 15 of the 2023 regular season. The over/under is 35.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 35.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 13-10 win for the Chargers, with a combined total of 23 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the under.

As for game picks, analysts are picking the Raiders to win.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Raiders
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Raiders
Mike Clay (ESPN) Raiders
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Raiders
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Raiders
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Raiders
NFL.com Staff Raiders (5 to 0)
Bleacher Report Raiders

Thursday’s game will begin at 5:20 p.m. PT and will be televised on Amazon Prime Video.

Who wins Week 15 game between Chargers and Raiders?

Cast your vote for the Week 15 matchup between the Chargers and Raiders.

The Chargers and Raiders are set to face off in a primetime showdown on Thursday night, both sitting with 5-8 records.

Los Angeles enters this game with Easton Stick under center as he replaces Justin Herbert for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his broken right index finger. Last Sunday, after replacing Herbert against the Broncos, Stick went 13 of 24 for 179 yards.

Las Vegas is looking to snap a three-game losing streak. They will be counting on rookie Aidan O’Connell to guide them to victory as he was chosen to start at quarterback this week over going back to veteran Jimmy Garoppolo.

The last time these two teams played was in Week 4, and L.A. came away victorious 24-17 behind a three-touchdown performance from Herbert and a whopping six sacks from Khalil Mack.

Who will win on Thursday night?

Cast your vote below.

[crowdsignal poll=13098247]