I think we can all agree that when the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders, it's a terrific feeling. In my mind, that is priority number one each year. After that, it's always been to win the games at home and then the division. The first two generally lead to the third and then everything else lines up toward the ultimate annual goal for every NFL Team. One week at a time though. To celebrate this win, I have three Game Balls to hand out, one for each unit. The Horseshoes will come tomorrow and will be more plentiful. Make the jump and find out who receives this weeks award.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Game Ball on Special Teams goes to Eddie Royal.
He caught a 26-yard touchdown pass on the first Bronco possession after the half for Denver's second score. That made it 17-14 in Oakland's favor. But Eddie's Game Ball moment came at the 6:12 mark in the 4th quarter. Oakland punter Shane Lechler boomed a 56-yard punt to the Denver 15. Royal fielded the punt, made a move to the left, getting a good block from Jonathan Wilhite on Gunner Louis Murphy to spring him and wove his way past two missed tackles for an 85-yard touchdown to put the Broncos ahead 31-24.
DEFENSE
The Game Ball on Defense does to Champ Bailey.
The 13th year perennial All-Pro and future Hall of Famer had 2 Tackles and notched his 49th and 50th career Interceptions on Sunday, as well as Forcing a Fumble.
The fumble came at the 11:13 mark in the 1st quarter. Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer completed a short pass on the right side to Jacoby Ford, who took off 34 yards downfield until Champ Forced a Fumble as he tackled the Receiver. The Broncos nearly had their first Turnover in two weeks. Unfortunately, Fullback Marcel Reece kept up with the play and recovered the ball.
That was remedied at 4:46 in the 2nd quarter. With the Raiders leading 10-7, Carson Palmer made a deep pass to the right intended for Wide Receiver Denarius Moore. Bailey made a nice Interception at the Denver 15-yard line to end Oakland's scoring bid.