The Las Vegas Raiders season finale, like much of their 2024 season, didn't go in their favor.
They ended the season with a 4-13 record following a 34-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the first time they've been swept by the AFC West foe since 2018.
The Chargers had an efficient showing against the Silver and Black – holding time of possession for nearly 39 minutes while accumulating 473 total offensive yards and scoring a touchdown or field goal on seven straight possessions.
"It's simple math. Take care of the football, be efficient on third down in the red zone, run the football, time of possession," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said after the loss. "Today, that didn't happen."
Aidan O'Connell completed 70.6 percent of his passes against the Chargers for 214 yards and two touchdowns. It was a bit of a rollercoaster season for the second-year quarterback as he fought through injuries and a quarterback battle throughout.
"It's just an up-and-down year for myself personally and a hard year for our team," O'Connell said. "Just trying to be grateful, not take things for granted and when I'm on the field, understand how really priceless those reps are. I try to take every rep like it's my last. It was difficult to be in and out like that. ... Grateful for my teammates for having my back and getting to win some games down the stretch.
Two positive outliers of the game, and the season, were the showings of Jakobi Meyers and rookie Brock Bowers. Meyers finished with a season-high 123 receiving yards against the Chargers, reaching the 1,000 receiving yards mark for the first time in his career. He's also the 11th undrafted receiver in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
"This was a group effort," Meyers said. "This ain't just me going out here running routes asking for the ball. A lot of people wanted me to get that [1,000 yards] so it's for all of us and we're going to celebrate this together whenever we can."
Bowers finished his Pro Bowl rookie campaign with four catches for 50 yards and his first touchdown grab inside Allegiant Stadium. His 112 receptions are the third-most by any tight end in NFL history in a single season and the most by any rookie in league's history.
Meyers and Bowers also became the first Raiders duo to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season since 2016.
"It was awesome, so happy for him," Bowers said of Meyers' milestone. "It couldn't happen to a better guy. He's a great guy and I'm super happy for him."
"During spring I was like, 'This dude is a baller, I don't know how he's not getting more catches,'" Bowers added. "And this year he exploded. It was cool to see"
The Raiders can hang their heads on a hard-fought season through injuries and personnel changes, but now, all eyes will be on offseason improvements. Among them, free agency and the draft. As of now, the team is set to have 28 players become free agents. As for the 2025 NFL Draft, the Raiders are slotted to have the sixth pick.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41), defensive end Andre Carter II (99) and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (33) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 40-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) makes a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) celebrates with tight end Brock Bowers (89) after making a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) celebrates with quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) after making a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (33) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 47-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Fans before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (33) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7), defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) goes to make a 12-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a 12-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates after making a 12-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and running back Alexander Mattison (22) after making a 12-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
