You're probably searching for a final score, but there is a major catch. If you are asking who won the Oakland Raiders game, you’ve gotta look at a calendar first. The "Oakland Raiders" technically don’t exist anymore. They haven't played a snap under that name since late 2019.
It's a bit of a gut punch for the East Bay faithful. The team officially packed up their silver and black gear and headed to the desert, becoming the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. So, if you’re looking for a result from this past Sunday, you’re actually looking for the Las Vegas Raiders score. Honestly, it’s a distinction that still stings for fans who spent decades tailgating at the Coliseum.
To give you what you’re looking for: the Raiders' most recent game (as of mid-January 2026) was their Week 18 season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. In a gritty divisional battle that lacked playoff implications but had plenty of pride on the line, the Raiders managed to pull off a 24-17 victory. They finished the season on a high note, even if the overall record wasn't exactly what fans in Vegas—or the lingering die-hards in Oakland—were hoping for.
Why People Still Search for the Oakland Raiders
It’s funny how branding works. For a huge chunk of the NFL's history, the Raiders and Oakland were synonymous. You think of the Mud Bowl. You think of John Madden’s frantic energy on the sidelines. You think of the "Black Hole." Even though the team is playing in a billion-dollar "Death Star" (Allegiant Stadium) in Nevada, the digital footprint of the "Oakland Raiders" is massive.
Google still sees thousands of people every week asking who won the Oakland Raiders game because, for many, the move just hasn't fully computed. It’s a bit like an old friend moving across the country; you still associate them with their childhood home.
But let's talk about that last game.
The Raiders relied heavily on their defensive front. Maxx Crosby, who is basically the heart and soul of that franchise at this point, stayed relentless. Even in a "meaningless" game, he was lived in the Chargers' backfield. It’s that "Commitment to Excellence" vibe that Al Davis championed, even if the geography has changed. The game was won in the trenches, with a late rushing touchdown sealing the deal in the fourth quarter.
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The Identity Crisis of a Franchise
When a team moves, they usually try to scrub the old city name as fast as possible. Not the Raiders. They know their history is tied to the grime and grit of Oakland.
If you look at the TV broadcasts, you’ll still see fans in the stands wearing "Oakland" jerseys. They aren't buying the new Vegas merch. They are keeping the 510 area code alive in spirit. This creates a weird situation for casual fans or those who haven't followed the NFL closely for a few years. They go to check the score, type in the old name, and get confused when the search results show "LV Raiders."
Breaking Down the Recent Performance
The Raiders' journey since leaving Oakland has been a roller coaster. There’s no other way to put it. They’ve had coaching carousels, high-profile draft busts, and moments of absolute brilliance.
In their recent win against the Chargers, we saw a glimpse of what the team could be. The offense looked rhythmic. The quarterback—whoever happens to be under center in this post-Carr era—actually took care of the ball. Most importantly, the defense didn't collapse in the final two minutes, which has been a recurring nightmare for this franchise for a decade.
- The Defense: Finally showing some teeth. They aren't just relying on one superstar anymore.
- Special Teams: Solid. Field goals were converted, and field position was flipped.
- The Culture: Antonio Pierce has brought back a level of "Raider Mystique" that feels more like the Oakland days than the corporate Vegas vibe.
The win wasn't pretty. It was a "Justin Tucker-esque" grind at times, though obviously with different personnel. It was the kind of game that would have made the old fans at the Coliseum proud. Lots of penalties, a bit of trash talking, and a physical style of football that left both teams bruised.
What Really Happened with the Move?
The move from Oakland to Las Vegas wasn't just about a new stadium. It was a financial necessity in the eyes of the NFL. The Oakland Coliseum was, to put it lightly, a relic. It had sewage issues. It had lighting issues. It was a dual-purpose stadium that looked awkward during baseball season when the Athletics' infield dirt was still on the gridiron.
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When Mark Davis couldn't get a deal done with the city of Oakland for a football-only stadium, Vegas came calling with $750 million in public funding. That was the end of an era.
So, when you ask who won the Oakland Raiders game, you’re actually tapping into a piece of sports history that is still being written. The Raiders won their last game, but they did it as the Las Vegas Raiders. The ghost of Oakland still haunts the win-loss column, though.
Historical Context: The Last Game in Oakland
For those who want to remember the actual last time the Oakland Raiders won a game in their home city, you have to go back to late 2019. Their final home game in Oakland was actually a heartbreaking loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a somber exit. Fans were literally ripping seats out of the stadium. It wasn't the "win" the city deserved after years of loyalty.
The last actual win as the Oakland Raiders happened on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers (ironically) on December 22, 2019. They won 24-17. It’s almost poetic that their most recent game in 2026 ended with a similar scoreline.
Looking Ahead: Can They Win Consistently?
The problem with the Raiders hasn't been winning a single game; it's winning enough of them to matter. Whether they are in Oakland or Vegas, the "Autumn Wind" needs to blow a bit harder in the postseason.
Experts like Hondo Carpenter and various beat writers have pointed out that the Raiders' identity is currently in flux. Are they a powerhouse defensive team? Are they a high-flying Vegas act? The win against the Chargers suggests they are leaning back into that "bully ball" style that worked so well in the 70s and 80s.
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To really understand the current state of the team, you have to look at the roster construction.
- The Salary Cap: They’ve navigated some tricky waters lately, shedding big contracts to find more depth.
- The Draft: They’ve shifted focus to "high-floor" players rather than just chasing "track stars" with 4.3 speed.
- The Coaching: Stability is the goal. No more mid-season firings if they can help it.
Basically, the Raiders are trying to bridge the gap between their storied Oakland past and their glitzy Vegas future. Winning games like the one this past weekend is the only way to keep both fanbases engaged.
How to Track Raiders Scores Correctly
If you want to keep up with the team without the confusion of the city name, here is the best way to do it. Stop searching for "Oakland." It sounds harsh, but it'll save you a lot of broken links and outdated articles.
Use these terms for better results:
- "Las Vegas Raiders live score"
- "NFL scoreboard"
- "Raiders post-game highlights"
The NFL's official app and sites like ESPN or Bleacher Report have completely transitioned. If you search for Oakland, you're likely to get "historical" content or AI-generated junk that doesn't realize the team moved six years ago.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you were looking for the score to settle a bet or just to see how your team did, the Raiders walked away with a "W" in their final game of the 2025-2026 season. They beat the Chargers 24-17.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Update your bookmarks: Change any "Oakland Raiders" sports filters to "Las Vegas Raiders" to ensure you get real-time updates.
- Check the Draft Order: Since the season is over, the Raiders' win actually shifted their draft position. They are currently slated to pick in the middle of the first round.
- Watch the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on the coordinator hires. The win was good, but the offense still needs a creative spark to compete with the likes of Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West.
The "Oakland" name might be gone from the scoreboard, but the Raiders' knack for dramatic, down-to-the-wire wins remains exactly the same.