Brandon Staley Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

'TNF' games have been nightmares for Chargers under HC Brandon Staley

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/15/23

The Los Angeles Chargers' 63-21 blowout loss against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15 was the latest in a string of "Thursday Night Football" nightmares for the organization under head coach Brandon Staley.

Since Staley took over in January 2021, the Chargers have had three "TNF" contests, all of which have ended in varying degrees of crushing defeat.

Thursday nights have been rough on Brandon Staley and the #Chargers

2021: Lost in OT to Chiefs, failing to convert controversial fourth down while in FG range

2022: Three-point loss to Chiefs

2023: 63-21 loss to Raiders
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 15, 2023

During Staley's first season, Los Angeles got the better of the Kansas City Chiefs in their first meeting in Week 3 on the road. When the teams met again in Week 15, it was a different story.

The Chargers led 14-10 at halftime, 21-13 early in the fourth quarter and 28-21 with under two minutes left to go in regulation, before falling 34-28 in overtime. The setback dropped the Bolts to 8-6 and started a tough stretch to end the regular season (losing three of four) as they finished 9-8 and fell out of the playoff picture.

After opening the 2022 campaign with a win against the Las Vegas Raiders, Staley and company again battled Kansas City hard on "TNF" in Week 2, on the road, but came up short.

Los Angeles again blew multiple leads in this contest, holding advantages of 10-0 and 17-7, before seeing the Chiefs go on a 20-0 run, which included a 99-yard interception return by Jaylen Watson.

There would be no drama in the Chargers' embarrassing loss to the Raiders on Thursday, as Las Vegas rolled out to an unfathomable 49-0 lead early in the second half and coasted to victory.

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