Bowers scores first career touchdown
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers ranked second among NFL tight ends in receptions (20) and receiving yards (216) through the first four games of the season. What he hadn't done was score an NFL touchdown. That changed Sunday on the fourth play of the game when quarterback Gardner Minshew II launched a jump ball down the field.
Bowers came down with the catch over one Denver defender and then beat Pro Bowl cornerback Pat Surtain II down the sideline for the 57-yard score.
It was the longest offensive play this season for the Raiders offense and the longest first career touchdown by an NFL tight end since O.J. Howard in 2017 (58 yards for the Buccaneers).
Minshew shows mobility
Minshew made key plays with his legs to extend both of the Raiders' first-half scoring drives. His first run was an 11-yard scramble on third-and-nine that set up the Bowers touchdown on the following play.
Then, on the offense's second drive, Minshew evaded pressure and found a running lane for another 11-yard gain on a third-and-eight play.
After a season-high 152 rushing yards last week against Cleveland, the Raiders continued to have success in the run game today and finished the half with 110 yards on 18 carries (6.1 avg.).
The Broncos defense racked up 12.0 sacks over the last two weeks but were held without a quarterback hit in the first half.
Defensive takeaways
Maxx Crosby returned to the field after missing last week's game with an ankle injury and tallied his fourth sack of the season early in the second quarter.
Crosby's takedown of Denver quarterback Bo Nix snapped a streak of 91 Broncos pass plays without allowing a sack (dating back to Week 2). It was the longest active streak in the NFL.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins also got through for a sack, marking his third straight game with at least a half-sack.
The Broncos offense finished the first half 1-of-6 on third down.
Red zone miscue
The Raiders were the league's seventh-most efficient red zone offense entering today's game with seven touchdowns in 10 trips to the red zone. Through 30 minutes, the team's lone trip to the red zone didn't go as planned. Minshew's pass, intended for Bowers, was intercepted by Surtain and returned 100 yards to tie the game at 10.
A Broncos field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter gave Denver the lead, 13-10.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with teammates after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58)) after making a 57-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a PAT during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 40-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56), defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (84) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and safety Thomas Harper (34) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates with center Andre James (68) after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
