Raiders at Broncos first quarter recap

The Denver Broncos won the opening coin toss and elected to defer possession to the second half giving the Las Vegas Raiders the ball to start the game.

Despite only have four players who have started all 16 games this season on defense, they forced the Raiders into a three and out to open up the game.

Melvin Gordon opened things up early with back-to-back runs for seven and five yards to pick up Denver’s first first down of the game. After a neutral zone infraction on the Raiders, Drew Lock hit Jerry Jeudy on a quick slant for a first down and a seven yard gain.

After a three yard run by Gordon and a five yard scrambled by Lock, the Broncos faced their first third down of the game. From the shotgun, Lock hit Tim Patrick in the flat up turned it upfield for a first down and a 17 yard gain to the Raiders 23 yard line.

Lock then hit Troy Fumagalli down to the Raiders 9 yard line for a first and goal opportunity. After an incompletion, Gordon ran inside for a five yard gain down to the four. On third and goal, Lock had his pass broken up by Jeff Heath in the end zone.

Brandon McManus would boot the field goal through the uprights for the early lead.

Broncos 3, Raiders 0.

The Raiders were about to be forced into a three and out again on their next drive, but they elected to go for it on a fourth down and about a foot. Derek Carr was able to get the first down on the quarterback sneak.

Carr then found Nelson Ahgolor wide open deep for a 57 yard gain and a first and goal opportunity.

The Denver defense held strong from there and forced the Raiders to kick the field goal to tie the game up.

Broncos 3, Raiders 3.

After a short run on first down by Gordon, Lock missed Patrick who was wide open deep that could have gone for a touchdown. The third down, however, was converted by Lock who made a nice pass to Tyrie Cleveland on the sideline who toe tapped it.

Royce Freeman than burst through a hole and was dragged down only after a 20 yard scamper to get the Broncos into Raiders territory.

An end around to Dionte Spencer for a short gain preceded a deep pass over the middle to Patrick who gained 29 yards to the Raiders 8 yard line.

Two plays later on a third and goal from the three, the Raiders were called for a hold to give Denver a first down at the two. Lock would find Fumagalli on the next play for the Broncos touchdown just before the end of the first quarter.

Broncos 10, Raiders 3.