The long-standing rivalry between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers reached a boiling point during the Chargers’ 34-20 victory over the Raiders in Sunday’s regular season finale.
Fans of the two teams clashed in an explosive altercation at Allegiant Stadium, captured live on television as KTNV’s Nick Walters reported from the scene.
Walters had just concluded an interview with a Raiders fan when the concourse erupted into chaos.
“Would it really be a Raiders-Chargers rivalry game without a brawl breaking out behind you during a fan interview?” Walters posted on X as he shared footage of the melee.
The Raiders’ season ended with a disappointing 4-13 record, including a winless 0-6 performance in the AFC West.
For the Raiders, the focus now shifts to head coach Antonio Pierce, whose job status remains uncertain after his first official season leading the team.
Speculation about Pierce’s future has swirled for weeks, but he insists there’s no indication from team leadership that his role is in jeopardy.
“I haven’t been told anything different,” Pierce told the media. “It’s only coming from the outside. It’s not inside the building. To me there’s nothing to clean up until I hear from inside the building.”
Meanwhile, the Chargers capped off an impressive 11-6 season under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, securing their return to the AFC playoffs after missing out last year.
Their playoff journey begins Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm EST against the AFC South champion Houston Texans.
Harbaugh praised his team’s performance, especially quarterback Justin Herbert, whose precision passing fueled the team’s victory over the Raiders.
“I’m very proud of the way the team played, starting with the quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not going to say unbelievable because I believe it and I see it every day. But there were throws that he was making … that were like handoffs.
“They were right where you would put it if you were handing the ball off on a running play. Just incredible game by him.”
With Harbaugh and Herbert leading the charge, many fans think the Chargers can make some serious noise this postseason.
It’s rare to have a visiting team favored in the playoffs – but that’s the position the Bolts find themselves in against C.J. Stroud and the Texans.
What are your thoughts on LA’s chances?
How about the situation with the Raiders? … Should they stick with Pierce as head coach???
