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Final | Broncos 34, Raiders 18
The Broncos snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders on Sunday, dominating the visitors, 34-18.
Pat Surtain II had two interceptions, including one he returned 100 yards for a touchdown. Rookie QB Bo Nix completed 19 of 27 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and another one by reaching the ball over end zone.
Denver (3-2) will next host the Los Angeles Chargers at 2:05 p.m. Sunday.
More Broncos coverage:
- Broncos’ Sean Payton on sideline exchange with Bo Nix: “There’s still a little bit of Ferris Bueller in this player.”
- Bo Nix Watch: Broncos QB delivers best performance of season in rout of Raiders.
- Broncos four downs: Who needs Brock Bowers? Denver’s got a QB that’ll yell at Sean Payton.
- Broncos report card: From slow start to domination, Denver’s beatdown of Raiders featured all three phases.
- Broncos icon Randy Gradishar: Pro Football HOF induction “a blessing.”
- WATCH: Broncos’ Pat Surtain II picks off Raiders’ Gardner Minshew II, returns it 100 yards for touchdown.
Fourth-quarter updates
Ballgame (5:15 p.m.): Vegas can’t convert. Broncos win. — Nguyen
Sacked (5:12 p.m.): Zach Allen sacks Aidan O’Connell. It’s fourth-and-17 for the Raiders at the two-minute warning. — Nguyen
Challenge fails (5:09 p.m.): The play stands. — Nguyen
Challenge (5:08 p.m.): Sean Payton threw the challenge flag to see where Aidan O’Connell threw the ball after he was called for intentional grounding. — Nguyen
Failed onside attempt (5 p.m.): Raiders went for the onside kick. Denver’s Levi Wallace wraps it up. The Broncos will start with the ball at the Vegas 44. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Raiders (4:56 p.m.): No one scores 35 straight points on these Raiders. Ameer Abdullah punches in a 3-yard touchdown. Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Meyers got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Vegas converts on the two-point conversion. Broncos 34, Raiders 18 with 4:01 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (4:44 p.m.): All engines are firing now. Bo Nix finds Josh Reynolds for an easy 9-yard touchdown. Broncos 34, Raiders 10 with 8:14 to go in the game. — Nguyen
No. 2 for PS2 (4:41 p.m.): Pat Surtain II with Pick No. II. A dominant second half for the Broncos, who are going to be 3-2 in 10:07. — Schubert
Tip drill. 👐
📺: FOX | @PatSurtainll pic.twitter.com/uaO3d78XnC
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 6, 2024
Pat Surtain II starting to make his early case for defensive player of the year with his second pick today. It has been the only thing missing on his decorated resume. For those in the back, he turns opposing receivers to Chick-Fil-a. They are never open on Sunday. — Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (4:35 p.m.): Bo Nix reaches over the end zone and gets the ball in. Denver’s up three scores now. — Nguyen
Take it in yourself, 🔟!
📺: FOX
pic.twitter.com/yFltkFIdHF— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 6, 2024
This thing is done. An eight-play, 53-yard touchdown drive puts the game on ice. Bo Nix dives over the pile for the TD and then engages in a LENGTHY conversation with Sean Payton afterward. No bro-hug from what could be seen from the press box. — Schubert
Big run (4:30 p.m.): A huge hole opened up for Javonte Williams, who rumbled down for the 17-yard gain. He has 105 total yards on the day (55 rushing, 50 receiving). — Nguyen
Run, Bo, run (4:28 p.m.): On the first play of the drive, Bo Nix scrambles for 11 yards. Then Javonte Williams runs for 7 yards. A defensive holding has Denver at the Vegas 35-yard line. — Nguyen
Third-quarter analysis — Broncos 20, Raiders 10
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Given how fired up Bo Nix looked on the sideline talking to Sean Payton, maybe dial up another deep ball?
Third-quarter updates
Three-and-out (4:26 p.m.): In a completely unsurprising development, it does not look like Aidan O’Connell is the answer for the Raiders. Three-and-out and the Broncos got the ball back near midfield. — Schubert
QB change (4:22 p.m.): And now Aidan O’Connell is in at quarterback. It appears Minshew’s day is done. — Schubert
Dropped (4:19 p.m.): That would’ve been the nail in the coffin. Bo Nix had his former Oregon teammate Troy Franklin completely wide open in what would’ve been a touchdown. Franklin dropped the pass. Denver punts. — Nguyen
OOF. Bo Nix nearly had a deep bomb to Troy Franklin for a touchdown. Franklin was WIDE OPEN. And Nix might’ve overthrown him a touch, but Franklin should probably reel that in. Bookmark that. A touchdown there would’ve been a deathblow for the Raiders. — Schubert
Picked (4:13 p.m.): Riley Moss is having a season. And now a day. Gets the first pick of his career. Hard to explain how good he has been with his coverage. He is sticky. He and Surtain II have been among best duos in league this season. — Renck
Gardiner Minshew tried tom pick on Riley Moss twice in one-on-one coverage. Neither time worked. And the second was a pick. — Schubert
Sacked (4:12 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper and Jonah Elliss combined for that sack on Gardner Minshew II. — Nguyen
It’s a TD (4:06 p.m.): That’s two TDs Jaleel McLaughlin has generated in the red zone this year that maybe nobody else on the roster makes.
Fourth-and-1 against Tampa and this one. Heck of an effort by No. 38.
Broncos up two scores on Las Vegas. — Gabriel
Touchdown, Broncos? (4:04 p.m.): Bo Nix swings the ball out to Jaleel McLaughlin who flies in and hits the pylon. But he may have been down before he got in the end zone. Officials are reviewing. — Nguyen
Huge gain (4:02 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Lil’Jordan Humphrey who cannot be taken down as rumbles for a 27-yard gain. — Nguyen
Huge return (4 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr. ran back a 38-yard punt return to give Denver the ball at the 50-yard line. A too-many-men penalty by Vegas put them on the Raiders’ 45-yard line. — Nguyen
Casa Bonitto (3:58 p.m.): On third-and-11, the Broncos’ front four broke through the Raiders’ O-line and Nik Bonitto sacked Gardner Minshew II for his third sack of the year. — Nguyen
Nik Bonitto posted sack on last drive. Here is what Alfred Williams told me about the young rusher this week. “Unbelivable talent.. He is everything I wanted to to be as a pass rusher getting off the ball.. When he juked under his punch and got the sack vs. the Jets, that’s stuff that Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, and Elvis Dumervil did.” — Renck
Riley. Moss. (3:56 p.m.): Great pass deflection by Riley Moss to force Vegas to third-and-9. — Nguyen
Rough drive (3:55 p.m.): Broncos got from first-and-20 to second-and-7 on a 13-yard McLaughlin run. They’re averaging 5.9 per carry on the day.
Then: Incomplete, sack, punt. — Gabriel
Injury (3:53 p.m.): Raiders’ defense take a hit with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins being ruled out for the rest of the game due to a foot injury. — McFadden
Sacked (3:52 p.m.): Maxx Crosby now has 15.5 sacks against the #Broncos in this his 11th game vs. them. And still nearly two quarters to go. — Renck
Halftime update
Celebrated (3:43 p.m.): Broncos Ring of Fame ceremony at halftime for Steve Foley and Riley Odoms. Great to see these greats honored. Both pleaded in their speech for current team to finish off the Raiders. Cap tip to onwers Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner for bringing alums back into the fold with special events. This franchise should always embrace its history. — Renck
Halftime analysis — Broncos 13, Raiders 10
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos lead without much offense. A pick-six from Pat Surtain II and FG drives that covered 26 and 38 yards.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: The Raiders are trying their best to let Denver end the streak.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: These two teams deserve each other.
Bo Nix is now the fifth different Broncos QB Maxx Crosby has sacked since 2019. Unofficially, here’s the takedown count for America’s No. 1 orange and blue killer: Russell Wilson — 5 times; Drew Lock — 4.5 times; Teddy Bridgewater — 3 times; Sparky Stidham — 1 time; Nix — 1 time.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos offense is an Orange Sloth. But the Raiders did stupid stuff with a pick six and a penalty that have accounted for 10 points. So Denver leads. Going to have to be more functional offensively to snap eight-game losing streak vs. Raiders.
Second-quarter updates
Field goal (3:32 p.m.): Wil Lutz’s 59-yard attempt went wide left, but a personal foul penalty on the Raiders gave Denver another chance. Lutz makes the 44-yard attempt to end the half. Broncos 13, Raiders 10. — Nguyen
Biggest play of Troy Franklin’s young career so far was a 19-yarder to get the Broncos to the edge of FG range late in the half. The Raiders took it from there and gift-wrapped 15 more yards to make the Wil Lutz FG much easier. — Gabriel
The Raiders gifted the Broncos 10 points in that half, first with Gardiner Minshew’s disastrous overthrow of Brock Bowers at the Denver goal line, then with one of the dumber personal foul penalties you’ll soon on Wil Lutz 59-yard miss at the end off the first half. If the Broncos win this, give Antonio Pierce a game ball. — Schubert
27-second drill (3:29 p.m.): Denver ball at its 33 with 27 seconds to go. — Schubert
One more chance (3:28 p.m.): Looks like the Broncos will get the ball back with a little less than 30 seconds left. — Schubert
Broncos could have used that timeout they burned trying to make the fourth-down decision in the first quarter. — Gabriel
One more chance? (3:27 p.m.): Sean Payton wants this ball back. It’s third-and-14 at the Raiders 9 with 1:18 left. Get a stop here and a field goal is still in play for Denver. — Schubert
Punt (3:24 p.m.): Broncos are forced to punt it back to the Raiders. Minshew will have 1:33 to work his magic starting at the Raiders’ 13. — Schubert
Sacked (3:20 p.m.): Christian Wilkins dusted Quinn Meinerz on that sack. — Gabriel
No targets (3:18 p.m.): Broncos receivers have been targeted 2 (!) times in the passing game so far. — Schubert
Nix has 77 yards passing and one reception by a receiver. Each week there are weird/humbling stats with this offense that defy logic — Renck
Rare successful screen (3:18 p.m.): A rare successful screen pass to Javonte Williams has the Broncos in business at the two-minute warning. The 26-yard gain has Denver to its 35, first and 10. Get points on this drive and take a lead into halftime and they will have the Raiders to thank. — Schubert
Denver’s offense (3:09 p.m.): Broncos offense so far today:
- 16 plays
- 71 total yards
- 3 first downs
- 0 for 4 on third down
— McFadden
Denver’s offense entered today converting 24.6% of third downs (No. 31 in the NFL). They’re 0/4 so far today. — Gabriel
Defensive stop (3 p.m.): Great play from P.J. Locke to break up Minshew’s third down pass to Meyers. The Broncos are back on offense. — McFadden
Interception (2:52 p.m.): Pat Surtain II picked off Gardner Minshew II in the end zone for a 100-yard touchdown. — Nguyen
A 100 YARD PICK 6!! @PatSurtainll pic.twitter.com/Xh3CG05U9J
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
A 100-yard pick-six is a great way to show off the throwback unis. — Kelly
We were one play away from 17-3 Raiders. Instead, Gardiner Minshew overthrows Brock Bowers, and we’ve got ourselves a tie ballgame. — Schubert
Broncos Pat Surtain II with 100-yard TD. Pick Six brings life to crowd. And his defensive player of the year campaign. Minshew with brutal pass. Overthrew Bowers and right into Surtain’s belly. Got ourselves a game. IT’s 10-10 with 8:43 left in half. Could have easily been 17-3…. It his second longest in franchise history to 103-yarder by Aqib Talib in 2017 vs. Cowboys. — Renck
The refs threw a flag for holding on that return but decided the image of Surtain taking a pick back 100 yards in these retro uniforms was way to sweet to wipe from the books. Right decision.
(In actuality, though, nice work by the crew to pick up the flag after Minshew got blasted by Jonah Elliss and basically dragged him down, too.) — Gabriel
Big gain for Vegas (2:49 p.m.): Justin Strnad got clipped in in the hole and Riley Moss got kicked out and Abdullah rolled for 40 yards to open this drive for the Raiders. They are dominating the Broncos defense so far. — Gabriel
.@Ameerguapo finds a big gap!
📺: #LVvsDEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/IaKYOUQWIu— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
The Raiders are averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
Las Vegas entered the game averaging 3.63 yards per attempt — 29th in the league. — McFadden
Field goal, Broncos (2:45 p.m.): The Broncos somehow (see: Maxx Crosby) turned first-and-10 at the Raiders 22 into a 51-yard field goal. It’s 10-3 with 12:23 left in the second quarter. — Schubert
Typically nothing good happens when you face second-and-38. Broncos had to salvage a FG out of that disastrous drive and they did. — Gabriel
Maxxed out (2:43 p.m.): Maxx Crosby has 14.5 sacks vs. Broncos in 11 games. He entered today 9-1 vs. Broncos. When he goes into Hall of Fame, he should invite a few Denver linemen for giggles. — Renck
First-quarter analysis — Raiders 10, Broncos 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos defense from the first four weeks has not been found so far today. But the Broncos offense from the first four weeks has been. That spells trouble on 1977 day.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: This isn’t the same Broncos defense we saw the last three weeks.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos defense gashed in first quarter. They allowed 138 yards, seven first downs and 10 points. They allowed 101 yards, 6 first downs and 6 points in the first half last week. Yes, weather was a factor. But Minshew’s mobility is much better than Aaron Rodgers in and out of the pocket.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Gardiner Minshew always seems to bring some magic with him to Mile High. As strange as it might sound, we’re just halfway through Denver’s second possession of the game. The second march is looking a lot better than the first. This is a game for touchdowns. Gotta get one here.
First-quarter updates
Mimsy (2:36 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr. gets in on the action with the jet sweep to the left for a 17-yard gain. — Nguyen
Field goal, Raiders (2:32 p.m.): The Raiders’ second possession ends with a Daniel Carlson field goal. It’s 10-0 Vegas with 1:27 left in the first quarter. Bo Nix and the Broncos offense are going to have to show up today. — Schubert
First downs (2:28 p.m.): Raiders already have seven first downs this afternoon. Last week the Jets didn’t hit seven until the third quarter. — Gabriel
Minshew’s moxie (2:25 p.m.): Minshew brought the MOXIE to Empower Field today. Already he’s scrambled for a pair of first downs on third-and-long. — Schubert
Minshew is going to work against Denver’s defense. He is 4 for 4 with 79 yards and a touchdown. — McFadden
Passing woes (2:18 p.m.): Nix misses an easy first down in the flat to 33 and then forces a slant to Sutton, who had no separation, on third down. Not much going for the passing game on the first drive of the game. — Gabriel
All of that just to punt the ball back to the Broncos. On the bright side: Another fantastic punt from Riley Dixon, who’s becoming a master of pinning teams inside their 10. — Schubert
Bo Nix has to be sharper. Drive fizzled when missed wide open Javonte Williams for first down in the flat. Broncos punt. Nix 1-3 on drive. Gotta be better — Renck
Fourth-and-inches (2:15 p.m.): Sean Payton showing some onions on the Broncos’ first possession, going for it on fourth-and-short at his own 34. Javonte Williams converts. Love the aggression. — Schubert
Little surprised Payton pulled the trigger and went for it from his own 34. But the left side of the OL and Javonte Williams made him right. — Gabriel
Touchdown, Raiders (2:10 p.m.): The No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft this spring, Las Vegas TE Brock Bowers, has a 57-yard TD to start the game.
Let’s see what the No. 12 pick, Broncos QB Bo Nix, has as a response. — Gabriel
Brock Bowers 57 yarder!! 🙌
📺: #LVvsDEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/owAbIim8o7— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
The guy drafted AFTER Bo Nix looks pretty good, huh?
Brock Bowers just made P.J. Locke look like a middle schooler beasting him on a jump ball that Gardiner Minshew essentially just threw up for grabs. — Schubert
Bo Nix and offense going to have to carry their water today. Not going to win games 10-9. This sets up as a breakout game. Going to need it. This is first time Broncos have allowed points on the opening drive this season. — Renck
Coin toss (2:04 p.m.): Broncos won the toss and defer to the second half. — McFadden
Pre-game updates
’77 vibes (12:41 p.m.): Just got off the elevator that included Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar. The 1977 vibe is real. There was a ceremony last night for the 1977 team, and from talking to people who were at the private event, it was the first full gathering of the team ever. A lot of great players, great memories. Broncos need to honor that today by beating the Raiders — Renck
Broncos inactives (12:35 p.m.): WR Devaughn Vele, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, TE Greg Dulcich, DL Eyioma Uwazurike and QB Zach Wilson. — McFadden
The Broncos clearly thought TE Greg Dulcich was the better receiving option to start the season, but after four games and just five catches for 28 yards, they’ve made him a gameday inactive and will give Lucas Krull a chance. — Gabriel
Welcome to sunny Denver (12:08 p.m.): Hey all, it’s a beauty of a day at Empower Field for the throwback to 1977. Outside the stadium the Broncos unveiled the busts of the newest pair of Ring of Famers in TE Riley Odoms and DB Steve Foley. The crowd gathered around cheered loudly except for a chorus of boos as Las Vegas’ buses pulled up. Now, it’s up to the current group to do what Broncos teams of old have plenty of experience with: Beating the Raiders. — Gabriel
Scouting report (10:30 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Raiders in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 20, Raiders 13
It’s next to impossible to know what you’re going to get from the Denver offense at this point. Weather impacted last week’s outing, but Bo Nix and company weren’t exactly a juggernaut before that. But the defense has been solid and Vance Joseph’s group knows it will have to be good again this week. This eight-game losing streak has to an end at some point. The Broncos aren’t great, but at home, coming off two straight road wins and with Las Vegas as banged up as it is, there’s no reason Sean Payton’s team should lose this one.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Raiders 13
The Broncos defense is legit and I expect the Raiders to be their next victim. Denver’s offense hasn’t been good but with better weather this week, expect Bo Nix to have his best performance as a rookie. The Broncos will snap their dreadful losing streak and go a game above .500. Denver will give its fanbase a reason for hope moving forward.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 18, Raiders 15
The last time the Broncos beat the Raiders “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X was the top song. It was 2019, and it only seems like streets were unpaved back then. The Raiders have won eight straight against Denver, only six shy of their longest streak of dominance (14 against Denver from 1965-71). The Broncos have a chance to make a statement. Coach Sean Payton needs to call a game that fits Bo Nix, while leaning on the run game. It will be hard on the eyes, but the Broncos escape with a late field goal from Wil Lutz.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 16, Raiders 14
Dang it, I believe in Vance Joseph. I believe in PS2. I believe that if Sam Darnold could get there, Bo Nix can get there, too. But two things keep bugging me. One, the Raiders might be the NFL’s most volatile stock in a volatile league — you never know what you’re gonna get. Two, Minshew Magic travels well. The Jorts King has a better career passer rating on the road (91.0) than at home (88.9) and a better TD-interception ratio (33-13 vs. 29-14), too. Still, the bet here is VJ is Minshew’s Voldemort, and the orange and blue pull ahead on a field goal late.
Broncos-Raiders NFL Week 5: Must-reads
As a fifth-grader playing high school football, Malcolm Roach was the life of the party. That’s still the case in Denver.
A 10-year-old Malcolm Roach stood on the sidelines in full pads as the chatter began building. It was the fourth quarter of a Southern Lab University School varsity football game in 2008, and the Kittens — coached by Malcom’s dad, Mike Roach — were up by more than 50. Bigger than most kids his age in Baton Rouge, La., Malcolm was certain he could hold his own against high school players — even as a fifth-grader. So did the rest of the team.
“Put him in for kickoff,” the players prodded.
Father turned toward his son, “Do you want to go in?” Malcolm’s response: “Yeah, I’m ready.” Malcolm ran onto the field with his heart racing. When the ball was kicked, he sped down the field and jumped into a pile.
From that moment on, nothing could stop Malcolm. An elementary school kid popping pads with players nearly twice his age, he didn’t relent. All these years later with the Broncos, the defensive lineman still plays with his hair on fire and carries the same vibrant personality that made him the life of the party at Southern Lab, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Renck: Under Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, destroying Raiders “was personal”
Those Broncos were Raiders of a Lost Art.
It is hard to believe, but there was a time when Denver treated the Raiders like a homecoming opponent. It began in 1995 when Mike Shanahan took over as the Broncos head coach. Stiffed $200,000 in severance pay by owner Al Davis, Shanahan did things to the Raiders you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
In his first game, the Broncos blitzed the Raiders 27-0. Coincidence? Yeah, right, Troy Renck writes. Read the full column.
If Broncos are to surprise this fall, they must capitalize on an October full of opportunity
October is here and opportunity knocks for the Broncos.
They’re not the only team out there hoping to make a move in the coming weeks, of course. More than a third of the NFL enters Week 5 at 2-2. Only a very small handful of teams find themselves at the very end of the spectrum either way.
Denver head coach Sean Payton always feels this way about this part of the calendar in general. He likes to say the first month of the season is a race against yourself. From there, teams try to separate. So now it’s separation time, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
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