RECAP: Broncos secure first back-to-back losing season since 1971 in loss to Raiders

The Denver Broncos came out with the same offensive game plan against the Oakland Raiders they had a few weeks prior in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The game plan was to derp it up in the first half, then throw on every down in the second half to make the score not as bad as it should have been.

The 27-14 road defeat to the hated Raiders was ugly enough to inspire some calls for firing a week before Black Monday, but that likely won’t do any good. It all comes to an end one short week from today for Vance Joseph and the Broncos.

After starting down 17-0 in the first half, the Broncos fought back into things late with two second half touchdowns to close the gap. However, as usual for these Broncos, they ran out short of time.

It has been a trying season for all involved, but to get rolled up on in three straight games that started with the playoffs in real contention has been monumentally disappointing. A streak of 46 years without back-to-back losing seasons has been snapped.

The bright spots include Phillip Lindsay surpassing 1,000 yards rushing, but that bright spot has a giant blemish as he was knocked out of the game with a hand injury. He finished the game with 10 carries for 46 yards in the game.

Case Keenum finished 23/37 for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in another up and down performance that was sealed by two interceptions late in the fourth quarter to seal victory for the Raiders. He did find both rookie wide receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton for touchdown passes along the way.

In the end, the Broncos were coached - again - into a very poor game plan that couldn’t be executed. The time for staying the course will soon come to an end.