Some interesting tidbits for you to chew on or dream about tonight...
Much more on the win over the Raiders, as well as our first 2-0 start since 2003 over the next couple of days....Remember the 24-hoour rule, then it's on to the Jaguars!
Random Notes --
--Denver is now 35-12-1 in home openers, including a 12-1 mark under Mike Shanahan; Denver is 21-3 in home openers dating back to 1984.
--The win extended Denver's home winning streak in September to 10 games, the longest active streak in the league.
--Denver is now 2-0 for the first time since 2003, the 18th time in franchise history the Broncos have won the first two of the chute.
--The game was halted at 2:50 p.m. due to lightning in the area, resuming some 25 minutes later (the delay was figured into the total game time, unlike baseball)
--It's the second weather delay for a football game in Invesco Field history, as the 2003 CU-Colorado State football game was delayed 28 minutes in the third quarter under similar conditions.
Series Stuff -- Denver won its fifth straight against Oakland, as it has evened things up in the series for the first time since Oakland won 19 of the first 24 games between the clubs. Oakland now leads it 53-39-2, but the series is tied at 34-34-2 since 1972.
Overtime -- Denver is now 21-13-2 all-time in overtime games, including a 10-5-1 mark at home (3-2 at Invesco). Denver is now 3-5 all-time versus the Raiders with an extra session.
Shanny Movin' On Up -- He passed late Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram into sole possession of 10th place in National Football League history in career wins with 125 (Shanahan is now 125-69). He is now 20-5 against the Raiders, and only he and Joe Gibbs are active coaches with 20 wins against one team (Gibbs has 21 against Arizona).
Close Calls -- The combined four point margin in Denver¡¦s first two games marks the closest pair of opening games in a season in Bronco history. In 1981, the scoring margin was five points, as Denver won 9-7 over Oakland at home and then lost 13-10 at Seattle in week 2. The margin was six points in 1990 and 1994 (in 1990, Denver¡¦s first five games were decided by a total of 11 points)
Not So Close Calls -- In the first two weeks of the season, the Broncos have now outgained its opponent by 474 yards; Denver bested Buffalo by 286 yards last week (470-184) and got the best of Oakland today by 188 (441-253).
Doin It On Third Down -- Oakland was 6-of-16 on third down, including the 46-yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Jerry Porter. Denver more than made up for allowing that, as the Broncos had three third down sacks as well as all three of interceptions on third down plays to keep the Raiders at bay.
A Stalwart -- C Tom Nalen played in his 191st career game with Denver, which tied him for third with Tom Jackson on the club's all-time list. He trails only John Elway (234) and Jason Elam (221).
The Rook Has Skills -- DT Marcus Thomas. With his interception today, it marked only the third time since 1990 that the Broncos have had defensive linemen intercept passes in back-to-back games (Elvis Dumervil had one at Buffalo); the other two occasions were in 2004 (DE Reggie Hayward at New Orleans on Nov. 21 and DT Ellis Johnson vs. Oakland on Nov. 28) and in 1994 (DT Dan Williams vs. Kansas City on Oct. 17 and DT Ted Washington at San Diego on Oct. 23).
Run, Travis, Run! -- RB Travis Henry (26-128, 0 TD). He had his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game dating back to the end of the 2006 season, and he is the first Bronco to hit 100 against the Raiders since Nov. 28, 2004 (Reuben Droughns, 28-102).
Comeback Kid -- QB Jay Cutler (33-23-2, 269, 1 TD). Cutler has now thrown at least one touchdown pass in all seven of his career starts.
Bronco Injury Report -- Hamza Abdullah (strained left hip flexor).