Las Vegas Raiders run over Denver Broncos, win 37-12
By BD Williams
The Las Vegas Raiders took care of business on Sunday, beating division rival Denver 37-12, running their record to 6-3 on the season.
The game started about as well as could be hoped for, with the Las Vegas Raiders kickoff team pinning the Denver Broncos deep in their own territory. The Raiders defense forced a three-and-out and got the ball back to their offense with favorable field position. Derek Carr and the offense continued the strong momentum by driving from mid field with a clutch 3rd and long conversion to Hunter Renfrow and a touchdown scamper from Josh Jacobs.
The Broncos would answer back with a long drive of their own on the ensuing possession. The Raiders defense bends, but doesn’t break, and they force the Broncos to settle for a field goal.
The Raiders failed to convert on the following drive, but after the Broncos offense took the field, an overthrow from Drew Lock right into the hands of Jeff Heath gives the Raiders the ball back with great field possession. Unfortunately, the turnover failed to materialize into any points and the Raiders struggled to move the ball downfield.
Faced with a 3rd and 1, Josh Jacobs was unable to convert.
The punt team pinned the Broncos on their own 2-yard line to start their first drive of the second quarter. Three plays later Nicholas Morrow blitzed off the edge and sacked Lock, who briefly lost the ball only to recover it again.
The Broncos would be forced to punt from their own 3 yard line, and Hunter Renfrow stringed together a fantastic return only to have it called back due to penalty.
After a three-and-out from the Raiders offense, the Broncos would get the ball back. Trayvon Mullen gave up two big catches in man coverage and the Broncos were able to advance to the red zone. Lamarcus Joyner came up bit with a stop on 3rd down against a rub route on the outside, and forced the Broncos to settle for another field goal to make the score 7-6.
The Raiders offense, looking to get things going, got their first 1st down in three possessions and drove the length of the field due to some hard running from Josh Jacobs and a big 3rd down reception from Bryan Edwards. The offense lost gas, however, after a crucial drop from Nelson Agholor on what would have been a sure touchdown and had to leave the field with three points courtesy of Daniel Carlson.
With time winding down on the game clock, the Broncos took the field attempting to get ahead. Big passes, missed tackles, and a roughing the passer penalty allowed the Broncos to drive downfield to the Raiders red zone.
A QB scramble for a TD was called back after an Oscar Award-winning sell from Jeff Heath, to throw his arms up demonstrably signaling to the refs that he was being held. With time ticking down, Drew Lock attempted a prayer into the end zone only for Jeff Heath to step in front of the slant and intercept the ball, his second of the game.
The Raiders retained the lead, 10-7 at halftime.