Broncos-Raiders first quarter update: Denver jumps out to an early lead over Oakland

The Denver Broncos received the opening kickoff, giving the offense a chance to get a bounce back going from the start.

It wasn’t to be. A short run and then Max Garcia got blown up to give up the sack on Trevor Siemian. On third and 20, the Broncos ran the predictable delayed handoff to get some of that back before punting away.

With excellent field position, the Oakland Raiders couldn’t do much either and quickly went three and out.

The Broncos offensive line is showing their weaknesses as Menelik Watson whiffs on his run blocking assignment, allowing Khalil Mack to make the stop on first down during the Broncos next possession. However, Siemian got things going on a nice pass play to Bennie Fowler for the teams first first down of the game.

Demaryius Thomas was mugged on a deep pass on the next play, but no pass interference call.

Siemian made a dangerous throw after being flushed out and backpeddling. The jump ball was brought down by Fowler near midfield. A.J. Derby hauled in a nice throw on the next play for for a big gain to put the Broncos into field goal range.

Derby was just getting going, hauling in one of those “wow” catches: a one-handed grab for the 21-yard touchdown from Siemian.

Broncos 7, Raiders 0.

The Raiders answered with another three and out. Isaiah McKenzie broke the return big for 60+ yards, but it was called back due to multiple bad blocks by the Broncos punt team.

On their next possession, Siemian hit Emmanuel Sanders for the first time for a quick first down. Then Jamaal Charles almost broke one to the house, but was caught after a 15-yard gain.

In what was becoming a first down after first down kind of offense, Sanders snagged a ball for another first down across midfield. The streak was broken on the next play, when Charles only gained six yards on first down.

Finally, a pass interference was called on the Raiders when covering Thomas. This one setup a first and goal for the Broncos. Two plays later on third down from the Raiders ten yard line, Siemian is nearly sacked and is able to throw the ball away.

Brandon McManus is good from 28-yards to extend Denver’s lead as the first quarter winds down.

Broncos 10, Raiders 0.

The quarter ends with the Raiders going three and out again.