Special teams was special for the Raiders all day against the Broncos. A big kick return by Dylan Laube set up the Raiders touchdown early in the second quarter to jump to a 7-3 lead. Then a fake punt pass from AJ Cole to LB Divine Deablo would set up a field goal to help the Raiders go up 13-9 at the half.
To begin the third quarter, the Raiders defense would stop the Broncos for a three-and-out, making for the first time since week four that they started a drive with a lead in the third quarter.
It would last six plays.
On the fourth play of the Raiders’ possession, Gardner Minshew would get his arm hit as he threw by Broncos edge rusher Nick Bonitto and Brandon Jones would pick it off.
Two plays into the Broncos’ ensuing possession, Nix found Courtland Sutton for the touchdown to take a 16-13 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos would go on another drive into Vegas territory. A tackle for loss by Maxx Crosby followed by a batted pass by Tre’von Moehrig would stall the drive, but the Broncos still added a 45-yard field goal to extend the lead to 19-13.
The Raiders answered back with a drive that ended with a 53-yard Daniel Carlson field goal to bring it back to a three-point game at 19-16.
Again, it didn’t last long as the Broncos marched down the field for a touchdown. The big play was a 37-yard catch and run by Marvin Mims that put the Broncos in first and goal at the two. Next play, Bo Nix made a perfect throw for Courland Sutton in the back of the end zone for the score and a 26-16 Broncos lead.
With the game now a two-score difference, and just over five minutes left, the Raiders would need to work quickly if they hoped to have a chance.
Three straight completions to Bowers, Meyers, and Turner would put the Raiders in first down at the Denver 44. A nice 25-yard pass from Minshew to Meyers put the Raiders inside the 20 and another completion to Meyers for 15 yards put them in first and goal at the four.
From there three straight incompletions brought on the field goal unit to try and make it a one score game. Carlson converted on the chip shot to make it 26-19 with 3:38 remaining.
The Raiders defense got the offense the ball back, but on the first play Gardner Minshew is sacked and left the game injured and headed for the locker room.
Desmond Ridder came in at QB and on his second play, he was hit as he threw, causing a fumble and the Broncos recovered in scoring range.
A field goal by the Broncos off the turnover brought it back to a two-score lead, which sealed the Raiders’ fate, as they would love their seventh straight game.
