Views from 400’s Week 15 Thursday Night Football Roundtable

If you thought last week’s Thursday Night Football game was bad, just wait until you truly digest this week’s.

These teams aren’t even worth previewing. You should know that backup quarterback Easton Stick is starting for the Los Angeles Chargers tonight, while Aiden O’Connell gets the call again for the Raiders after they were shut out by the Vikings last Sunday.

If there was one game we would skip a roundtable for, it would be this one.

We wouldn’t do that to you though!

Read below for our best bets, predictions, and analysis ahead of this horrific game.

Grosser than a Vegas motel room.

This game somehow has an over/under over 30 with Easton Stick facing off against Aiden O’Connell. Stick is an unproven FBS rookie while AOC has taken a play out of his female counterpart’s playbook, sharing the football with his opponents. Why in the world should I watch this game?

BH: Daniel Carlson went to Auburn. I’ll be watching to see him kick.

MK: This could be a fun game with some points. Neither defense is particularly good, or even decent. I won’t completely write this one off.

JA: Maybe Brandon Staley gets fired after this and we get to watch his downfall? We could also see a fun “mini-battle” between the two big pass rushers in the game. Let’s see if Maxx Crosby or Khalil Mack can be more dominant.

Long end of the stick?

We haven’t seen much from Easton Stick. Is there any chance he leads the Chargers to a solid end to the season?

BH: No. The Chargers stink. Justin Herbert is overrated but he wasn’t the reason they have as many issues as they do. Stick and Quentin Johnston could have a fun rapport for the final stretch though.

MK: Maybe he can lead them to a strong finish but the playoffs are out of reach. Los Angeles needs to move on from general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Brandon Staley.

JA: No, the Chargers are cooked this year. Joey Bosa, Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are all likely done for the season. Los Angeles is better off tanking.

What happens in Vegas?

The Raiders obviously needed more than a move to fix themselves. Where does Vegas go from here?

BH: Getting rid of Josh McDaniels was the right move. Now we’ll see if owner Mark Davis can make another good move and retain interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Las Vegas has been a different team under their interim head coach. While the winning-streak is gone, the Raiders are still playing competitive football.

MK: The Raiders have some nice pieces on the roster. Defensive end Maxx Crosby has become the best player on the team. Running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams are premier players at their respective positions on offense, so the talent is there. I don’t think the Raiders are that far away. They just need to be smart in the offseason and acquire some offensive line help and a proper quarterback.

JA: The Raiders offense is a mess. This team needs a new quarterback as well as an offensive-minded head coach or offensive coordinator to completely revamp things. You shouldn’t be getting shut out in games with a kicker that can hit from 60 yards away.

When in Rome

Best bet for this awful game?

BH: I alluded to it above. Quentin Johnston looked much more comfortable once Easton Stick took over last week. You should be slamming his over 32.5 receiving yards before the oddsmakers catch on.

MK: I refuse to ever take the Chargers. I don’t like the hook, but give me Raiders -3. I’ll personally be playing -2.5 to avoid a push.

JA: I have a few for you actually. I like the Raiders on the money line, the game under 34.5 points, and Davante Adams to score a touchdown.

Prediction

We are so due to hit a final score. I need your predictions boys.

BH: I’ll take the Raiders in a close one, 18-16.

MK: Las Vegas gets it done, 17-9

JA: Looks like we are all on the same page boys. Raiders win it 16-12.