Why the NFL Delayed the Start of the Chargers vs. Raiders Game on “Monday Night Football”

With NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on site, the NFL decided to delay the start of Monday night’s game between the Raiders and Chargers due to lightning. Instead of kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET, the Raiders kicked off the Chargers at 8:50 p.m. ET.

Here’s a look at what exactly happened Monday night.

• The lighting was seen outside the SoFi Stadium moments before Monday night’s game kicked off.
• The NFL has decided to delay the start of the game to 8:55 p.m. ET a few minutes before the game’s initial kick-off time.
• After about 20 minutes late, kickoff was rescheduled until 8:50 p.m. ET.
• Although SoFi Stadium is a dome, the open sides of the stadium posed a security risk.
• Fans have been asked to leave their seats during the weather delay. The players were asked to leave the field.
• Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen told ESPN’s Lisa Salters that he and his teammates waited in uniform in their locker room during the delay.
• Play resumed after the 35-minute delay.

According to the NFL rulebook (Rule 17, Section 4), the commissioner has full authority to determine whether a game should be delayed or postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Once play resumed, the Chargers made up for lost time, as Justin Herbert ended the game’s first practice with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Donald Parham Jr.