Bucky's Breakdown: Observations from the Raiders' Week 12 loss

Nov 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

The Raiders lost 29-19 to the Denver Broncos in a rivalry game at Allegiant Stadium. The loss marks the team's seventh straight loss, but there are plenty of lessons in the defeat that could help the Raiders improve down the stretch. NFL Network's Bucky Brooks breaks down the Week 12 matchup and provides some perspective on the Silver and Black's performance.

BIG IMPRESSIONS

The Raiders continue to falter in crucial moments in close contests. Despite playing with great effort and energy, the team's inconsistent execution in the second half suggests the Raiders are a young team learning how to win. Against the Broncos, the late-game miscues enabled a team playing a rookie quarterback to muster enough offense to steal the game in the fourth quarter. While there are plenty of positives to take from the gutsy performance, the seventh straight loss is another gut punch for a team that is learning how to play the right way.

KEYS TO VICTORY

The Raiders could not close out a game that was there for the taking against the Broncos. After surging out to a 13-9 halftime lead on the strength of a solid gameplan that blended ball control offense with an aggressive blitz-heavy defensive approach, the Raiders could not effectively adjust to the Broncos' halftime tweaks, resulting in a dramatic turnaround in the second half. Though the Raiders avoided the egregious errors that have cost the team earlier this season, the inability to execute in the clutch resulted in a loss for a squad playing better than its record.

MINSHEW MANIA

The veteran played well enough for the Raiders to win before leaving the game with a season-ending injury. Gardner Minshew completed 25-of-42 passes for 230 yards with a touchdown and an interception, employing a "dink-and-dunk" approach that effectively countered the Broncos' blitz-heavy tactics. Moreover, the veteran's quick-rhythm passes enabled the offense to stay on schedule on three straight scoring drives in the second quarter. Though his interception flipped the momentum in the third quarter, Minshew bounced back and kept the team in position to win the game in the fourth quarter.

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UNSUNG HERO

Jakobi Meyers notched his first 100-yard game of his Raiders career with a 10-catch, 121-yard effort against the Broncos. With the defense paying close attention to Brock Bowers whereabouts, the veteran repeatedly found holes in the defensive backfield to help the Raiders move the chains. Though it was not enough to pull out a win, the impressive performance showcased Meyers' potential as a WR2 for the Silver and Black.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

The Raiders' ball control approach under interim offensive play-caller Scott Turner has helped Minshew find his groove as a quick-rhythm passer. Against the Broncos, the veteran got the ball out of his hands quickly to counter their aggressive blitz tactics. Though the running game was kept in check, the Raiders were able to effectively move the ball for most of the game utilizing short throws to stretch the defense from sideline to sideline. If the Raiders can find a way to effectively run the ball on early downs, the explosive plays will eventually emerge as opponents on vertical throws or "catch-and-run" tosses against a stretched out defense forced to defend a multi-dimensional offense.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

Credit defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for turning up the heat against a rookie quarterback. The Raiders relentlessly attacked Bo Nix with a barrage of "all-out" pressures that disrupted the Broncos' offensive rhythm for most of the first half. Though Sean Payton and Nix cracked the code in the second half, the ultra-aggressive plan for the Broncos to play the game on the Raiders' terms for four quarters. With better late-game execution, the Raiders will eventually win these ultra-competitive contests against their division rivals.

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Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41), quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the coin toss before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.