Las Vegas Raiders win in stunning fashion, 32-31 over Denver
By Brad Weiss
Raiders struggle with turnovers in the second half but hang on to win
In the second half, the Raiders were plagued with turnovers, including two in a three-plan span, giving the lead back to the Broncos. Up 17-13, the Raiders saw a Carr throw tip off the hands of Waller, and into the hands of a waiting Justin Simmons.
After a Brandon McManus field goal, the Silver and Black got the ball back, and on the second play of the drive, they attempted a reverse with rookie Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs was blasted on the play, fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Denver. The first-year wideout was helped to the sideline, and eventually back into the locker room.
The Broncos would capitalize on the next drive, as Melvin Gordon scored from ten yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter. That gave the Broncos their first lead since the first quarter, as the momentum swung big time in Denver’s favor, and they took a seven-point lead on a two-point conversion from Lock to Jerry Jeudy.
After another Carr interception, this one on a horrible read where he missed the safety, the Raiders got a huge sack on Lock to end the Broncos drive. Starting at their own ten-yard line, Las Vegas went 90 yards in nine plays, including the 104th and 105th catch of the season for Waller, tying and breaking Tim Brown’s record.
A Josh Jacobs’ 28-yard touchdown run tied the game at 24, setting the stage for another dramatic end to a Raiders game this season.
The Broncos looked to have the game in hand late in the fourth quarter, this after Lock hit Jeudy for a 92-yard touchdown for the organization’s longest play in 12 years. It appeared to be another late-game collapse for the Raiders, but as he has done numerous times in his career, Carr led his team back.
Las Vegas would score to go down one point with under a minute left, and just like last year, they decided to go for two and the win. The only difference was, this time, the Raiders got the two, as Carr hit Waller for victory No. 8.