Mile High Report - Week 16: Raiders 17, Broncos 13 - Everything we knowBy Fans, For Fans....Your Source For Denver Broncos News and Commenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50905/mhr-fav.png2021-12-28T11:00:00-07:00http://www.milehighreport.com/rss/stream/226171192021-12-28T11:00:00-07:002021-12-28T11:00:00-07:00Stats in the belfry - Denver Bronco stat review Week 16
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Q1dByOPGW3hSapK7CzSuvaWx2g=/0x0:5065x3377/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70323842/usa_today_17347875.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Denver Broncos’ offense wastes another good defensive game.</p> <p id="LnBU30">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a>’ defense is currently allowing 17.3 points per game and has allowed 17 and 15 points in the last two Bronco games - both losses. The defense has now allowed 17 or fewer points in ten games this season. The Broncos are 7-3 in those games. In games where the team has allowed more than 17, the Broncos are 0-5. Also remember that the defense is directly responsible for only 26 of the 29 touchdowns allowed by the Broncos this season since the team has allowed a kickoff return TD, a fumble return TD and an interception return TD.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Broncos defense has allowed 17 or fewer points 10 times this season. Broncos are 7-3 in those games. When allowing more than 17, Denver is 0-5. Most games holding opponent to 17 or fewer since '04, '96 and '93, which all had 10. Most in team history was 13 (in '78 and '77) <a href="https://t.co/aqqBTaYDCu">pic.twitter.com/aqqBTaYDCu</a></p>— Joseph Mahoney (@ndjomo76) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndjomo76/status/1475597325716410369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2021</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="O5fJaq">The ten games of holding opponents to 17 or below is the most a Bronco defense has had since 2004 when we also had 10. If the defense can hold the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> and the Chiefs (big ifs) to 17 or less, they can tie the 1991 Bronco defense that held 12 opponents to 17 or fewer. The best a Bronco defense has ever done is thirteen games of holding an opponent to 17 or fewer - in 1977 and 78. That 77 defense did it in 14 regular season games. The only regular season game where that D allowed more than 17 was in the 24-14 loss to the Raiders. </p>
<div id="DnXINZ"><table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>RS Games allowing 17 or fewer points</td>
<td>PPG Allowed on season by Denver</td>
<td>Average Points allowed/scored</td>
<td>Denver D relative to League Average</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>17.3</td>
<td>22.8</td>
<td>24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2020</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>27.9</td>
<td>24.8</td>
<td>-13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2019</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>19.8</td>
<td>22.8</td>
<td>13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2018</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>21.8</td>
<td>23.3</td>
<td>6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>23.9</td>
<td>21.7</td>
<td>-10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>18.6</td>
<td>22.8</td>
<td>18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2015</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>18.5</td>
<td>22.8</td>
<td>19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2014</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>22.1</td>
<td>22.6</td>
<td>2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>24.9</td>
<td>23.4</td>
<td>-6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>18.1</td>
<td>22.8</td>
<td>21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2011</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>24.4</td>
<td>22.2</td>
<td>-10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2010</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>29.4</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>-34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2009</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>20.3</td>
<td>21.5</td>
<td>6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2008</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>28.0</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>-27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2007</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>25.6</td>
<td>21.7</td>
<td>-18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2006</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>19.1</td>
<td>20.7</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2005</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>16.1</td>
<td>20.6</td>
<td>22%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2004</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>19.0</td>
<td>21.5</td>
<td>12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2003</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>18.8</td>
<td>20.8</td>
<td>10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2002</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>21.5</td>
<td>21.7</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2001</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>21.2</td>
<td>20.2</td>
<td>-5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2000</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>23.2</td>
<td>20.7</td>
<td>-12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1999</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>19.9</td>
<td>20.8</td>
<td>4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1998</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>19.3</td>
<td>21.3</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1997</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>17.9</td>
<td>20.7</td>
<td>14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1996</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>17.2</td>
<td>20.4</td>
<td>16%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1995</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>21.6</td>
<td>21.5</td>
<td>0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1994</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>24.8</td>
<td>20.3</td>
<td>-22%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1993</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>17.8</td>
<td>18.7</td>
<td>5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1992</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>20.6</td>
<td>18.7</td>
<td>-10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1991</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>14.7</td>
<td>19.0</td>
<td>23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1990</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>23.4</td>
<td>20.1</td>
<td>-16%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1989</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>14.1</td>
<td>20.6</td>
<td>32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1988</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>20.3</td>
<td>-8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1987</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>19.2</td>
<td>21.6</td>
<td>11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1986</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>20.4</td>
<td>20.5</td>
<td>0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1985</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>20.6</td>
<td>21.5</td>
<td>4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1984</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>15.1</td>
<td>21.2</td>
<td>29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1983</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>20.4</td>
<td>21.8</td>
<td>6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1982</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>25.1</td>
<td>20.2</td>
<td>-24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1981</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>18.1</td>
<td>20.7</td>
<td>13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1980</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>20.2</td>
<td>20.5</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1979</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>16.4</td>
<td>20.1</td>
<td>18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1978</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>12.4</td>
<td>18.3</td>
<td>32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1977</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>10.6</td>
<td>17.2</td>
<td>38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1976</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>14.7</td>
<td>19.2</td>
<td>23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1975</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>21.9</td>
<td>20.6</td>
<td>-6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1974</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>21.0</td>
<td>18.2</td>
<td>-15%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1973</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>21.1</td>
<td>19.5</td>
<td>-8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1972</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>25.0</td>
<td>20.3</td>
<td>-23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1971</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>19.6</td>
<td>19.4</td>
<td>-1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1970</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>18.9</td>
<td>19.3</td>
<td>2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1969</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>24.6</td>
<td>20.9</td>
<td>-18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1968</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>28.9</td>
<td>20.5</td>
<td>-41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1967</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>22.9</td>
<td>21.8</td>
<td>-5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1966</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>27.2</td>
<td>21.7</td>
<td>-25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1965</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>28.0</td>
<td>23.1</td>
<td>-21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1964</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>31.3</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>-42%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1963</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>33.8</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>-54%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1962</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>23.9</td>
<td>22.3</td>
<td>-7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1961</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>30.9</td>
<td>21.5</td>
<td>-44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1960</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>28.1</td>
<td>21.6</td>
<td>-30%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="f5jWX4">The 1977 Bronco offense scored 19.6 points per game which is 0.3 points per game fewer than the 2021 Bronco offense is currently scoring. Of course the league average score per game in 1977 was 17.2 so that 1977 Bronco offense was above average while the 2021 Bronco is near the bottom of the league (23rd). </p>
<p id="TFrRbA">As it stands right now, the Broncos are allowing 24 percent below league average scoring of 22.8 points per game. If that holds it will be the best a Bronco defense has done in relative scoring since the 1991 defense was 32 percent better than league average. That 77 defense was the best in team history at 38 percent better than league average. </p>
<p id="cJI8Nk">One reason for the poor scoring offense is the Broncos continued poor performance on first and second down. The Broncos are still worst in the league by far at average yards needed to gain on third down - 7.9 (Chicago is second worst at 7.7). It’s actually impressive that the Broncos are 20th in 3rd down conversion rate given how many yards they need on the average third down. For comparison the Rams are the best in the league at 6.0 yards needed on their average third down. </p>
<p id="fe9NSF">In Sunday’s game against the Raiders the combination of a backup quarterback and a backup center led to a pitiful 18 rushing yards on 16 carries. <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/WImWM">That was tied for the third fewest rushing yards in a game in team history</a>. The only two worse games were the 2008 game against Miami (14 rushing yards on 12 carries) and the 1972 games against Oakland (13 rushing yards on 24 carries). The Raiders defense now is responsible for two of the most pathetic rushing games in Bronco history. I will have to go back and look at the film to see how often the Raiders were in stacked boxes (eight or nine) against the Broncos, but if memory serves me right, they were able to shut down our running game without needing to stack the box. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/28/22856736/denver-bronco-stat-review-week-16Joe Mahoney2021-12-28T06:00:00-07:002021-12-28T06:00:00-07:00Broncos at Raiders: The No Bull Review
<figure>
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f1owddl7tLKQTSfSxbqbeTKpOZE=/0x0:3568x2379/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70322822/1361274231.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Broncos got beat by the hapless Las Vegas Raiders. Here are my damning thoughts, opinions, and analysis on the Denver Broncos’ most recent game.</p> <p id="p6f6im">Well, it was a much more interesting ride than the past two seasons. I feel pretty positive appreciating the 2021 season for the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> as a step forward, even though I don’t see any way they finish the season with a winning record after this game.</p>
<p id="KXQr1k">Again, I cheered hard for this team in this game. As a fan watching this game, I was yelling for the good plays and bemoaning the bad ones. I cheered for Lock to hit the deep ball every time he came out of play action with a nice pocket to throw from.</p>
<p id="Sm6NVp">And yet here we are 13-17 on the scoreboard after another absolutely pathetic outing from our so-called offense. Our defense balled out and did their jobs…but we have no win to show for it yet again.</p>
<p id="WA0mSU"></p>
<h1 id="t1ErbP">Defense</h1>
<p id="wUqWag">Vic Fangio is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league without question. Anyone saying otherwise is just a hater from one direction or the other. He’s deep into his roster on defense and still has them holding opponents to under 20 points. It is criminal that there is no offense from the Broncos helping this team to win games.</p>
<p id="CjIixk"></p>
<h2 id="ZnxugW">Front 7</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hAo5ROoFE3rszJWlZjjgtRVHhWo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23129665/usa_today_17413300.jpg">
<cite>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="l5mZiX">Bradley Chubb finally makes a game-changing play at the end of the half with a phenomenal tip interception to himself sniffing out a screen pass by Carr. He darn near scored the ball as well. He still looks like he’s yet to gain back a step he lost due to injury, but at least he showed up this game. At some point, we really need to see him getting back to being an effective pass rusher because he was mostly absent on the right edge in obvious passing situations.</p>
<p id="QBZ6dM">Jonas Griffith had a very up and down game overall. He did show great instincts to penetrate and blow up a run play in the backfield. It is the kind of play we haven’t seen often enough from our ILBs. Later in the 2nd quarter, he swoops in to attack an outlet pass and makes a nice open-field tackle. The problem with him and other ILBs we’re playing is that they aren’t attacking the gaps to stop running plays. It is the big difference between the excellent play we saw early in the season from Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson.</p>
<p id="4VEpdL">Mike Purcell needs to be lauded for his fumble recovery. He swept in, got his big paws around it, and held on while the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> had a good amount of time to claw at him over it. He’s doing a decent job up front eating up blockers for what it is worth. It won’t go noticed because it doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but if you and a 2-gap NT who clogs the run upfront, he’s a guy who can do that consistently.</p>
<p id="wPyVP6">Just when I was bemoaning how awfully our defensive front was playing in the 2nd half, Shelby Harris changed the game with a strip-sack on Carr. It was a monstrous pass rush and was absolutely needed at that point in the game to help swing the momentum back our way. Later in the 4th quarter, he forces Carr to pull back a pass and take a sack to kill the drive and force a field goal. </p>
<p id="CsNmjW"></p>
<h2 id="dakWJF">Secondary</h2>
<p id="kqM59y">Secondary giving up little chunk passes to Carr since they play a lot of off-man on the outside. Carr knows how to hit those all game long and used it well to keep drives alive and moving. I didn’t have a lot of notes specifically on our secondary other than that they kept getting in mismatches against the Raiders’ tight end and were made to pay for it.</p>
<h1 id="ByyWlq">Offense</h1>
<p id="1WlfWi">The big takeaway in this game is that this offense sucks cheeks.</p>
<p id="l93FbU">Yes, the Raiders have a decent pass rush, but I honestly didn’t see it being a constant problem or the offense. There should have been something, anything on the field of play to help get a TD on the board.</p>
<p id="blPgoK">Instead, Pat Shurmur dialed up his gameplan once again not tailored to scheme guys open or play to the young backup QB’s strengths…we were calling screens, dump-offs, and 3 yard passes when we need 7 all game long.</p>
<h2 id="gZYrCq">Quarterbacks</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j8ywn75zfvabMd5Xbh4O1H7l_qg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23129663/1361310555.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="Rdxjol">Drew Lock had all week to prepare for this game. No excuses at all this week. It is the hero situation you want for every promising backup: your team is <em>this</em> close to a playoff birth and we just need to win out. Lead the offense to a win and you win over fans, teammates, and coaches. We just needed good solid play.</p>
<p id="N54xTl">Instead, we got an absolute whimper.</p>
<p id="1H1eie">I’m honestly not surprised…my take on Drew Lock has been for over a year that he doesn’t have the mental football acuity needed cut it as a quarterback in this league. Even with the coaching keeping him to 2 reads most of the time, and him showing some improvement in not hero-balling it to the other team; he still did nothing with that big arm of his.</p>
<p id="4N9ix9">His passes are still thrown without touch which makes it hard for his receivers to catch (though a fair amount of that blame squarely falls on their shoulders…this is the NFL…catch the frigging ball). He overthrows the deep routes fairly consistently still (which kinda ruins the point of that big arm, doesn’t it?).</p>
<p id="1OmQdz">It is what it is…at least everyone in Broncos Country can sling some hate about throwing short of the sticks his way now or apologize for all the hate they’ve thrown at Teddy Bridgewater for it. After all, we’re seeing that even with a QB with a stronger arm, the offense is schemed to throw short…there just isn’t any other explanation for what we saw.</p>
<p id="Kzbwdi"></p>
<h2 id="KYeoBR">Line</h2>
<p id="7qdAvn">The running lanes weren’t there nearly as often in this game. It showed in the stats. Our leading rusher averaged 1.7 ypc.</p>
<p id="Q4wvED">The pass defense was okay much like it has been all season. I thought they handled the pass rush well, but we don’t have a QB on the roster who can do anything with the ball it seems.</p>
<p id="ISSV48">For what it is worth, I do think this line missed having Lloyd Cushenberry on the field. A lot of our inside runs didn’t work and it was largely due to not having a center get a solid push at the point of attack.</p>
<p id="HwiBvz"></p>
<h2 id="F7KnuK">Running Backs</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d-9LBx-HsOz72BJiLZUUYwF_6k8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23129661/1361121489.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="NeeyKh">Wow, what a rancid effort from Melvin Gordon III. He averaged -0.6 ypc. That’s right…hand him the ball and we on average lose over half a yard. I’m not sure why we kept giving him the ball at all. He got just as many carries as Williams and contributed greatly to putting the offense in bad situations.</p>
<p id="6PVZLe">Javonte Williams looked better, but he didn’t wow either. Even with his ability to make defenders miss tackles, that initial contact was happening more often behind the line of scrimmage, so his ability only ended up netting us 1-2 yards much of the time.</p>
<p id="CzUE8Z"></p>
<h2 id="sD3ZNZ">Receivers</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="DENVER BRONCOS VS LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, NFL" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wauB3oLg3tLYBNnjXudlr6ho768=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23129659/1361136760.jpg">
<cite>Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="OjNfzr">I’m going to speak to the squad on this week’s NBR: The receivers really let down the team as a unit. I know Drew Lock’s throws suck as I said above. But let me say it again: this is the NFL. Catch the frigging ball. It is the key thing our WRs and TEs get paid to do and there were drops everywhere in this game. </p>
<p id="xIvuXY"></p>
<h1 id="w77dOl">Special Teams</h1>
<p id="1MMXCF">We could knock Brandon McManus for his miss here, but I don’t really think it is worth harping on. It was a 50+ yard FG that was called for way late in the play clock and rushed. I put that more on the head coach than I do the kicker.</p>
<p id="8zKT4n"></p>
<h1 id="X1mxut">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="yNK5hN">With our playoff hopes truly dashed, we get to switch gears to looking forward to the future at this point. I’ve already started sorting out my thoughts on the team ownership, coaches, QBs, and roster situations at this point. Look for some focused No Bull articles speaking to the future as we wrap up the season in the next couple of weeks.</p>
<p id="PS2Fxi">As a matter of fact, I’d love to know what you fine ladies and gentlemen in Broncos would want to hear about. Feel free to drop some questions in the comments with the subject line: No Bull Question and I’ll pull those out for article work in the next few weeks.</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/28/22856565/broncos-raiders-no-bull-reviewsadaraine2021-12-27T10:30:00-07:002021-12-27T10:30:00-07:00The Broncos loss to the Raiders is about accountability
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<p>Without any major changes, this will continue to be the Broncos Country we live in.</p> <div id="KYau3E"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6h7G2WM0813Y1FblVSgHvE?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="232" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div>
<p id="8q4Dk8">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> lost another game to the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a>. This time, it was with a backup QB that has divided Broncos Country, and a defensive performance that should have resulted in a win. </p>
<p id="xfW9iv">I usually sit down after Ian and I record the MHR Radio postgame recap and write up my thoughts. After this loss, I needed to sleep on it. </p>
<p id="R91Bxq">In the end, this all boils down to accountability. I think we first have to recognize that the Broncos are a better team in 2021 than they were in 2020. They have won 7 games. That’s more than 5. </p>
<p id="ExsGTl">Are they improved enough for the franchise to continue on their current path? I don’t believe they are. Frankly, the 2 extra wins can be attributed to factors beyond the control of the team. The current iteration of the Broncos is not all that much different from the Broncos of the past 6 seasons. Great defense, no real offense to speak of.</p>
<p id="1TIyAK">The loss in Las Vegas is the perfect example of the issues that hinder Denver on their journey back to relevancy. First, that defense is still so good. The Bradley Chubb interception that resulted in Javonte Williams scoring the team’s loan touchdown was incredible.</p>
<p id="fUM1F6">Josh Jacobs fumble put the Broncos in prime position to capitalize. They kicked a field goal. Derek Carr was sacked twice. The Raiders next possession ended in the Chubb pick. It was a quick turnaround before halftime, and the Denver went in at the half with a 13-7 advantage. Mostly, it was the defense keeping things alive.</p>
<p id="kxfxXK">In the second half, more of the same. The defense gave up their second long drive for a TD to start. The next and last time the Raiders would score came with 7:35 left in the 4th quarter after a 13 play, 32 yard drive. The defense gave up 17 points, and forced 3 turnovers. And how did Pat Shurmur’s offense take advantage?</p>
<p id="3bmBzH">Well, they didn’t. The perfect example of this was the missed FG. The Harris strip sack put the ball on the Denver 42 yard line. The offense ran 5 plays, stalling at the Las Vegas 37. The refs took too long to spot the ball, and Fangio rushed Brandon McManus onto the field to attempt a 55-yard FG. </p>
<p id="Lvx7wA">The miss put the Raiders in good field goal position, and cameras caught McManus yelling at Fangio on the sidelines. The whole situation was completely mismanaged, and was a pretty big moment in the game. Las Vegas pushed the ball into Broncos territory, and then kicked a 41-yard FG that capped off the scoring.</p>
<p id="mtTQK9">When McManus left the field after shanking the 55 yarder, you could tell he was upset about the situation. After 3 years, Fangio should have managed the clock better. He should have known to not rush a kicker out with 10 seconds left on the play clock to attempt a field goal of more than 50 yards. He should have done a better job of putting his player in a position to succeed.</p>
<p id="Fk4StY">I don’t know why McManus yelled at Fangio, but I am guessing that had something to do with it.</p>
<p id="ludjMN">And it all comes back to accountability. The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but they have one of the worst offenses. The game management is abysmal, and is not improving. They have been swept by the Raiders in a season when they were supposed to be better. Who is going to be held accountable for all this?</p>
<p id="ECnD2t">Not even a word about moving on from the garbage OC Pat Shurmur. Tom McMahon still has a job. Not one person is being held accountable for this team’s failures. While we are all out here having the same arguments about QBs, the Denver Broncos coaches and management are sitting comfortably in their jobs. </p>
<p id="Uxi5fX">No end in sight to this continued fecklessness. Life long Broncos fans are tuning out. People who bleed orange and blue are just checking the scores. </p>
<p id="4OdUQy">We need major changes in Broncos Country. It’s a need that can only be fulfilled by someone holding the decision makers accountable for their actions. We all know this is about ownership. Until change comes at the top, none of this will ever matter.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/27/22854956/broncos-loss-to-the-raiders-is-about-accountabilityAdam Malnati2021-12-26T16:57:31-07:002021-12-26T16:57:31-07:00Broncos offense came out flat while defense got run over by Raiders in 17-13 defeat
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<img alt="Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/80yYXBjfmDjx015utAOhqdJnVeQ=/0x0:2877x1918/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70318641/1361129829.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos offense was completely shut down by the Las Vegas Raiders, but the defense kept the game close until late.</p> <p id="L3CRQS">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> offense came out and was anemic all game long. If it weren’t for the big time turnovers on defense, they would have had a mere three points of offense by the late fourth quarter. However, given the turnover help the game was still within reach and a one-point affair until the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> scored a touchdown about midway through the fourth quarter. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If not for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> defense and their turnovers, the offense would have 140 total yards and 3 points right now. They need to come alive now.</p>— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/1475249718489800704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="M2za0W">With a full week of reps, Lock was okay in relief. He didn’t turn the ball over, which is a huge plus, but the run game was completely shut down the Raiders. If it weren’t for the three turnovers by Las Vegas, this would have easily been a blowout for the home team. At 7-8, the Broncos and their fans can officially start looking ahead to next season.</p>
<h2 id="S515NA">First Quarter</h2>
<p id="iCTHe9">The first quarter had every drive end in a punt. The most eventful moment was this extreme example of a defensive pass interference and also a prime example of how quickly Jerry Jeudy creates separation in his route running.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/VmjIqSaic6">pic.twitter.com/VmjIqSaic6</a></p>— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) <a href="https://twitter.com/Romi_Bean/status/1475222266027941889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="muIXVm">The first quarter ended with the Raiders just across midfield and driving. </p>
<p id="V1bEez">Broncos 0, Raiders 0. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854619/broncos-raiders-first-quarter-recap">Full first quarter recap</a>. </p>
<h2 id="4ugSzl">Second Quarter</h2>
<p id="4Zb235">The Raiders continued their second possession into the second quarter marching down the field to strike first against the Broncos with this nice touch throw from Derek Carr to Hunter Renfrow.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Derek Carr finds Hunter Renfrow on a corner route vs. Kareem Jackson. <br><br>Broncos down 7-0 to the Raiders. <a href="https://t.co/OCWZLjojkU">pic.twitter.com/OCWZLjojkU</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475226677940740100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="9WyqUV">Drew Lock found a wide open Jerry Jeudy on the Broncos next possession. Jeudy was so wide open he turned upfield and ran for another 20 yards before being tackled. The 40 yard gain led to a Brandon McManus field goal. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drew Lock finds a wide open Jerry Jeudy on a deep over. <a href="https://t.co/sSZPmm20oX">pic.twitter.com/sSZPmm20oX</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475228062874841091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="WdDwsa">Things got crazy after Denver got their first field goal. The first thing to happen was a fumble by Josh Jacobs set Denver up near the Raiders 40 at the two minute warning and while Denver did nothing with that possession they were able to keep the ball for a Brandon McManus 55-yard field goal. </p>
<p id="9fgdhT">Then when less than 30 seconds left in the half, the Raiders tried running a screen play from their own 25 yard line. Bradley Chubb leaped in front of the Derek Carr pass and intercepted it. He nearly returned it for a touchdown, but was tackled at the one yard line.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bradley Chubb almost scores after picking off Derek Carr!!! <a href="https://t.co/XMace9qMuH">pic.twitter.com/XMace9qMuH</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475234936701558786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="cAhbfz">Javonte Williams would dive into the end zone on the next play with 15 seconds to go in the half to give the Broncos 10 quick points in a wild final two minutes of the first half. </p>
<p id="Ahzd4O">Broncos 13, Raiders 7. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854620/broncos-raiders-second-quarter-recap">Full second quarter recap</a>. </p>
<h2 id="qPpK2v">Third Quarter</h2>
<p id="Ij2fql">The Raiders came out ready to dominate in the third quarter. On their opening second half drive, they fed the rock to the Josh Jacobs continuously. He got the ball 7 times on that drive for 57 yards and a touchdowns to put the Raiders back out in front 14-13. </p>
<p id="amYlj7">They were well on their way to blowing the game wide open with the Broncos’ defense struggling to stop what Carr and the Raiders’ offense was doing. Shelby Harris made the play to keep the game in hand with a strip-sack on Carr with Dre’Mont Jones recovering the fumble for the Denver defenses third turnover of the game.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fangio dials up a game on 3rd and long, which frees Shelby Harris to strip Derek Carr.<br><br>Broncos football! <a href="https://t.co/4vlyrv9K7U">pic.twitter.com/4vlyrv9K7U</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475245255956078593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="pDtI0V">Denver would get the ball within field goal range, but on third and seven Drew Lock threw the ball well short of the sticks to Courtland Sutton who was unable to fight off the defenders to gain any yardage. Brandon McManus would then hook the kick wide left leaving the lead for the Raiders intact. </p>
<p id="omsMeR">Raiders 14, Broncos 13. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854621/broncos-raiders-third-quarter-recap">Full third quarter recap</a>. </p>
<h2 id="syDVF5">Fourth Quarter</h2>
<p id="hADhzf">The Raiders leaned heavily on their rushing attack as their offensive line took control of the game in the fourth quarter. They would cap a 7+ minute drive midway through the fourth quarter with just a field goal as Shelby Harris came up with another big sack to keep the game close.</p>
<p id="nWxTF0">Raiders 17, Broncos 13. </p>
<p id="4a5xx0">On the Broncos next possession, they were faced with a fourth down early in their drive. Drew Lock avoided pressure and found Courtland Sutton over the middle for the big first down. Three plays later they were again faced with a fourth down, this time after Lock took an ugly sack for a big loss. </p>
<p id="OxfnpR">The Raiders would close out the win from there.</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854618/broncos-raiders-final-score-week-16Tim Lynch2021-12-26T16:28:42-07:002021-12-26T16:28:42-07:002021: Broncos vs. Raiders - Live updates
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<img alt="Syndication: The Enquirer" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2UNQO5usD-MgkaLz4b1hRdBmCSA=/0x0:3327x2218/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70318207/usa_today_17396094.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders are battling to keep their playoff hopes alive. The loser will take over the AFC West cellar. </p> <p id="XhPHRq">In a bit of an oddity, the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> and <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> are battling both to stay in the AFC playoff hunt and avoid taking sole possession of the AFC West cellar. Needless to say, its a huge must-win game for both teams. </p>
<h3 id="XgrFaY">In-game updates</h3>
<aside id="q7cKlk"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Week 16: Broncos at Raiders gameday inactives","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854515/broncos-raiders-gameday-inactives"},{"title":"Broncos at Raiders first quarter recap","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854619/broncos-raiders-first-quarter-recap"},{"title":"Broncos at Raiders second quarter recap","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854620/broncos-raiders-second-quarter-recap"},{"title":"Broncos at Raiders third quarter recap","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854621/broncos-raiders-third-quarter-recap"},{"title":"Broncos offense came out flat while defense got run over by Raiders in 17-13 defeat","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854618/broncos-raiders-final-score-week-16"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="TmVGjX">Game preview</h3>
<p id="qz8fU6">In what we hope is Drew Lock’s comeback of the year game, the Broncos are facing a Raiders defense that ranks at or near the <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKendellMHH/status/1475156848634474505">bottom of the league in so many key stats</a>. It’s a perfect matchup for a young quarterback looking for redemption. </p>
<p id="C8IEBx">I would expect Denver to lean heavily on the rushing attack of Melvin Gordon and breakout rookie Javonte Williams. If Lock takes care of the football, they could flip the script on their first matchup and reinsert themselves back into the playoff conversation. </p>
<p id="gUoxTf">Join us in the comments section below to talk Broncos-Raiders in Week 16. </p>
<h3 id="aSwBsk"><a href="https://twitter.com/i/lists/94061706">Broncos-Raiders live updates</a></h3>
<ul>
<li id="khmYiJ"><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22853964/broncos-raiders-2021-live-stream-how-to-watch-online">Game info</a></li>
<li id="EpO3QK"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641777&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Ffootball%2F%3Fbgvideo%3Dnfl.mp4%26title%3DLive%2520Football.%2520Stream%2520and%2520DVR.%26priceline%3D*Regional%2520and%2520mobile%2520restrictions%2520apply%26cta%3DGet%25207-Day%2520Free%2520Trial%2520Now%26irad%3D356362%26irmp%3D482924%26sharedid%3DMileHighReport&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.milehighreport.com%2F2021%2F12%2F26%2F22854598%2F2021-broncos-raiders-live-updates" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Live stream</a></li>
<li id="kCuntE"><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/24/22853078/broncos-raiders-preview-recap-week-16">Everything we know</a></li>
</ul>
<div id="0ckdip">
<a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/lists/the-broncos-beat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">A Twitter List by MileHighReport</a>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854598/2021-broncos-raiders-live-updatesTim Lynch2021-12-26T16:28:23-07:002021-12-26T16:28:23-07:00Broncos at Raiders third quarter recap
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<img alt="Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DrDkaVlvB68f8Kauc7NGkbUPHBQ=/0x0:3681x2454/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70318605/1361144556.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos are down 14-13 to the Las Vegas Raiders after three quarters of play. </p> <p id="0iDTgl">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> took advantage of several offensive miscues by the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> by scoring 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half. That 13-7 lead aligns with a lot of positive numbers for Denver in the Vic Fangio era. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the Fangio era, the Broncos are …<br><br>* 1-22 when trailing at halftime;<br>* 1-1 when tied at halftime;<br>* 17-4 when leading at halftime;<br>* 14-2 when leading by 4 or more points at halftime.<br><br>Denver starts the third quarter up by 6.</p>— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaseDenver/status/1475238755183124480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="fmqRMr">The Raiders received the ball to open the second half. The came out running the ball heavily through Josh Jacobs. His first three runs netted 18 yards out to the Raiders 43-yard line. Derek Carr would throw on second down to find DeSean Jackson for a first down across midfield. </p>
<p id="XkJmOG">The running lanes were wide open from there with Jacobs who gained nine yards on first down and then ripped off another 20 yard gain into the red zone. He fumbled and the Broncos recovered, but after review they overturned the call on the field in what was a huge break for Las Vegas. </p>
<p id="8rZ3w7">Undeterred, the Raiders kept feeding the rock to Jacobs. He would cap the drive with 57 yards rushing and a touchdown to put Las Vegas back out in front.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Raiders' Jacobs has gains of 8, 7, 3, 20, 3, 8 and 5TD to put Vegas back in front of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> <br><br>LV 14-13, 10:22 3Q</p>— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanohalloran/status/1475240774816055304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="DePByz">Raiders 14, Broncos 13. </p>
<p id="ejCofw">Out of a two tight end set, Drew Lock stuck with the tight ends finding Noah Fant down the sideline for a 20 yard gain. </p>
<div id="iEG9Zw">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Broncos open the 2nd half with a PA pass to Noah Fant <a href="https://t.co/S57YBp6xoy">pic.twitter.com/S57YBp6xoy</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475242143732183044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="MSaxWY">Things went nowhere from there with Melvin Gordon getting tackled in the backfield again. Lock then found Tim Patrick for a quick five yards to setup a third and nine. Lock then looked for Fant well short of the sticks. The ball bounced of Fant’s hands and was almost intercepted.</p>
<p id="cLkFZE">The Raiders continued pushing the Broncos defensive line around and drove methodically down the field getting into field goal range with a mixture of passes and runs. They were well within field goal range, when Shelby Harris knocked the ball out of Carr’s hands and Dre’Mont Jones recovered for another huge turnover for the Broncos defense. </p>
<div id="Up1nMi">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fangio dials up a game on 3rd and long, which frees Shelby Harris to strip Derek Carr.<br><br>Broncos football! <a href="https://t.co/4vlyrv9K7U">pic.twitter.com/4vlyrv9K7U</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475245255956078593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="OD33Qc">On first down, Javonte Williams was nearly tackled for a loss but was able to snag a one yard gain out of it. Drew Lock was then flushed out on second down and found Tim Patrick on the sideline for a big first down into Raiders territory. </p>
<p id="qAMrD8">Two plays later on third and seven, Lock found Courtland Sutton but he threw the ball well short of the sticks and Sutton was stopped four yards short of the first down marker. Brandon McManus would come out for another 55-yard field goal attempt that would sail wide left as the Raiders preserved their 14-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854621/broncos-raiders-third-quarter-recapTim Lynch2021-12-26T15:43:19-07:002021-12-26T15:43:19-07:00Broncos at Raiders second quarter recap
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<p>The Denver Broncos snagged two turnovers in the second quarter that speaheaded a 13-7 halftime lead over the Las Vegas Raiders. </p> <p id="0iDTgl">The <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> continued to pick up yardage on first and second downs, making their third downs very manageable. Early in the second quarter they converted their fourth third down on the day to get just into the fringe of field goal range. </p>
<p id="upLB0I">When the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> defense did force the Raiders into a third and seven or more, they had a stop, but the second time they had them in that situation Shelby Harris committed a roughing the passer penalty to set the Raiders up inside the Broncos 30 yard line. One play later a completion to Zay Jones setup the Raiders up with a first and goal.</p>
<p id="qyGsSh">Jonas Griffith had a nice two yard tackle for a loss on first and goal to push the Raiders back to their own ten yard line. However, Derek Carr found Hunter Renfrow for the pitch and catch to put Las Vegas up by a touchdown. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Derek Carr finds Hunter Renfrow on a corner route vs. Kareem Jackson. <br><br>Broncos down 7-0 to the Raiders. <a href="https://t.co/OCWZLjojkU">pic.twitter.com/OCWZLjojkU</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475226677940740100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="oR8suG">Raiders 7, Broncos 0.</p>
<p id="6Veg81">On the Broncos first second quarter possession, Drew Lock found a wide open Jerry Jeudy who turned it upfield for a huge 40 yard gain to the Raiders 45-yard line. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drew Lock finds a wide open Jerry Jeudy on a deep over. <a href="https://t.co/sSZPmm20oX">pic.twitter.com/sSZPmm20oX</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475228062874841091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="ggPpao">A quick toss outside to Javonte Williams gained 11 yards after he broke two more tackles, but a hands to the face penalty by Garett Bolles negated the positive play and forced a first and 20.</p>
<p id="7nJJID">One first and 20, Pat Shurmur went back to his well of inside handoffs that gain a yard. Then on second and 19, a false start penalty made it 2nd and 24. Shurmur again went back to his well of short outside passes on second and really long that gains a couple of yards. Then on 3rd and 20, Lock kept his eyes downfield and found Jeudy for a 14-yard gain to give Brandon McManus a try at a 49-yard field goal. </p>
<p id="h5dDXK">Raiders 7, Broncos 3.</p>
<p id="GVQpfC">One area the Broncos defense had struggled to start this game was on third downs. A big play on second down from Jonas Griffith forced a third and 15 that Denver was able to shut down well short of the first down marker to bring out the punt unit for Las Vegas. Denver would take over at their own eight yard line.</p>
<p id="bLhtcV">Denver would go three and out and the field stayed flipped in the Raiders favor. </p>
<p id="LkyNFa">The Raiders started their next drive with a quick pass outside to Zay Jones for seven yards, then on second down a completion to Josh Jacobs lost the football at the Raiders 40 yard line where the Mike Purcell was able to recover to give Denver the ball with excellent field position at the two minute warning. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gotta appreciate <a href="https://twitter.com/astronaut?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@astronaut</a>'s hustle here. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BroncosCountry?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BroncosCountry</a> <a href="https://t.co/Kc15jomL8t">pic.twitter.com/Kc15jomL8t</a></p>— Ryan Greene (@RyanCBS4) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanCBS4/status/1475232857031266306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="EqXa24">Drew Lock, who has look good in the first half, found Courtland Sutton for a quick eight yards on first down, but then Melvin Gordon was completely annihilated in the backfield for a four yard loss. Jeudy then had a terrible drop on third down to bring Brandon McManus back out for a rather long 55-yard field goal attempt. </p>
<p id="S6uWhY">Raiders 7, Broncos 6.</p>
<p id="LogFZG">The Broncos were 7-0 when leading at halftime and 0-7 when losing at halftime, so things were looking bleak on that front. Bradley Chubb then leaped in the air to tip and intercept a Carr pass returning it all the way to the one yard line with less than 20 seconds left in the half. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bradley Chubb almost scores after picking off Derek Carr!!! <a href="https://t.co/XMace9qMuH">pic.twitter.com/XMace9qMuH</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475234936701558786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="AgFRJg">Javonte Williams will carry the ball in from the one yard line for the touchdown and the halftime lead.</p>
<p id="3jTYoY">Broncos 13, Raiders 7. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854620/broncos-raiders-second-quarter-recapTim Lynch2021-12-26T14:57:28-07:002021-12-26T14:57:28-07:00Broncos at Raiders first quarter recap
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<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lwzL0V7-z87gyGv3o6r-TGozeGg=/0x0:8001x5334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70318423/usa_today_17412481.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders end the first quarter in a scoreless tie.</p> <p id="0iDTgl">The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> lost the opening coin toss and the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> elected to defer possession to the second half giving Drew Lock and the Broncos offense the ball to start the game. </p>
<p id="vAPNlz">After opening up with a short three yard gain by Melvin Gordon, Drew Lock found Courtland Sutton on a first-read throw for six to setup a third and one that Lock converted on a quarterback sneak.</p>
<p id="0BZBxJ">Getting Lock into a rhythm in the short game, he again went to his first read to Sutton for another four yards on first down. Those short plays drew the defense in which led to a fantastic throw outside to Sutton deep who was unable to keep his feet in bounds. The ball placement was solid from Lock on the throw, but Sutton just missed getting his second foot in.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lock with a nice toss to Sutton, who can't stay inbounds. <a href="https://t.co/kN6azUNmsY">pic.twitter.com/kN6azUNmsY</a></p>— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1475217388123660297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="V508jK">Two plays later on third and long, Lock threw it well short of the sticks to end the Broncos first drive in a predictable punt. All but three opening drives this season for the Broncos have ended in a punt. An outstanding punt by Sam Martin, however, pinned the Raiders at their own four yard line for their first possession.</p>
<p id="B9KLmk">The Raiders first drive looked like it could end early after a timely holding call, but the complete lack of a pass rush by the Broncos on a third and three left a wide receiver open over the middle for a 15 yard gain and a first down out to their own 26-yard line. </p>
<p id="QAzMkf">That led to a finger tip diving catch by Hunter Renfrow to get the Raiders out near midfield before they would again face another third down and, this time, four. Malik Reed got pressure on Derek Carr to force an incomplete pass and a punt. </p>
<p id="XCW3CH">Gordon was stuffed on first down, then Javonte Williams caught a ball and powered his way through two tacklers for a seven yard gain. A roughing the passer penalty on Drew Lock gave Denver another 15 yards and a first down. </p>
<p id="AnIJVo">The drive looked like it was about to stall when Lock badly overthrew Albert Okwuegbunam, but on third and long Jerry Jeudy was held so badly that his jersey was nearly torn off to draw the defensive pass interference that put Denver across midfield. </p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/VmjIqSaic6">pic.twitter.com/VmjIqSaic6</a></p>— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) <a href="https://twitter.com/Romi_Bean/status/1475222266027941889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a>
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<p id="2UgZ5O">Lock was sacked on first down by Mason Crosby. Lock had plenty of time to throw and did not feel the pressure collapsing to his left. A short run by Williams on second down setup another third and long. A predictable screen pass that netted two yards led to another Broncos punt. </p>
<p id="UvdjFm">The first quarter ended with the Raiders just driving across midfield. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/12/26/22854619/broncos-raiders-first-quarter-recapTim Lynch