To start the second quarter, the Oakland Raiders nearly blew the game wide open for the Denver Broncos by muffing the punt. Their recovery didn't matter much as they went three and out with Derek Wolfe ending the drive by sacking Derek Carr.
The Broncos next drive had a lot of people making plays, but it was Demaryius Thomas who shone the brightest.
Broncos WR @DemaryiusT joins @TheREALrodSmith as the only players in club history w/4 consecutive 1000-yd receiving seasons.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 13, 2015
He also had a one handed grab on a tipped ball that really made the drive successful.
Osweiler throws a pass. Ball hits Raiders D-Lineman's hand. Ball travels 20 feet in the air. Demaryius: Got it! https://t.co/gkJDGvuqUG
— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2015
Still, after a 16 play drive that ate up most of the second quarter, the Broncos were only able to muster another Brandon McManus field goal. Brock Osweiler has been really efficient, but at some point they need to start scoring some touchdowns when they get down inside the red zone.
8:37 scoring drive was #Broncos' second longest of the season. #OAKvsDEN pic.twitter.com/MfVLva2SSf
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 13, 2015
The Raiders continue their offensive ineptitude, though I would call it Broncos defensive dominance, on the next drive going three and out yet again. Their only third down conversion being due to a penalty on their first drive of the day.
With around four minutes to go in the half, the Broncos got the ball back and after a short pass to Demaryius Thomas and a nice gain by Ronnie Hillman, the Broncos crossed midfield at the two minute warning. Later in the drive on 3rd and 15, Osweiler hits Demaryius Thomas short of the first down, but Thomas fought his way down inside the five for a first and goal with 20 seconds left in the half.
Osweiler would miss a wide open Virgil Green in the back of the end zone on first down and would also misfire on the next two downs to Demaryius Thomas and the Broncos would kick their fourth field goal of the game to close out the first half.
Brock goes 0 for 3 after a 1st and Goal. At least they let him throw. #Broncos take 12-0 lead with 0:04 left in the half.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 13, 2015
Still, a 12-0 lead is a two score lead. Broncos go into the half holding a shutout.