Broncos-Raiders third quarter update: Denver controls the third quarter

Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders opened up the second half with the ball first. The Denver Broncos defense quickly forced the Raiders into a third and long after bottling up Marshawn Lynch for no gain despite a nice stiff arm to break him outside.

Carr, on third and 14, threw short to Amari Cooper for one yard. It was Cooper’s first catch of the game.

C.J. Anderson opened up the Broncos next drive with a nice 8-yard gain, but then got through the middle of the defense for a huge gain of 40-yards down to the Raiders 25-yard line.

The Broncos apparently listened to us or just saw the obvious, sticking to the run.

Trevor Siemian didn’t like his first read and ducked right into a Khalil Mack sack on first down for a two-yard loss. Anderson took the next handoff for five yards. On third and seven, Siemian tucked it and rand again after not liking his first read for the fourth down.

From 36 yards out, Brandon McManus extended the Broncos lead to six points.

Broncos 13, Raiders 7.

The Broncos run defense isn’t letting Lynch breathe at all, forcing a third and 11 on the Raiders next drive. Carr would be destroyed by Wolfe to force the punt.

Then Isaiah McKenzie finally showed the value he’ll bring the Broncos in 2017, returning the ball 29-yards to the Oakland 31-yard line - giving the Broncos another scoring opportunity.

Anderson would rip off a twelve yard gain on first down to get the Broncos into the red zone. Menelik Watson went down with an injury two plays later, which means Donald Stephenson got a chance to get some more game action as the Broncos faced second and 11.

Stephenson’s first play has Mack getting to Siemian for a strip/sack. Fortunately, Siemian’s elbow was down before the ball came out to save the Broncos from disaster. On third and 19, the Broncos predictably keep it on the ground for another field goal attempt.

From 46-yards out, McManus is money to make things a two-score affair.

Broncos 16, Raiders 7.

Shelby Harris showed up on the Raiders next drive, sacking Carr hard. Carr stayed down and it didn’t look good for him as he reached for his back. Adam Gotsis kneed him hard in the back, though Carr was able to walk off the field gingerly.

EJ Manuel came into the game and quickly led the Raiders into a punt.

Except the Raiders didn’t punt, they fake punted ... and failed. After an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Raiders set the Broncos up at the 15-yard line.

After two short runs from Charles, Siemian hit Emmanuel Sanders on a slant to convert the third down for a first and goal at the four yard line.

The third quarter ended with a near interception on a batted pass for a 10-yard loss.