The Raiders scored on their final three possessions of the first half to take a 13-9 lead into the locker room.
Here are some first-half takeaways:
Next Man Up
After the Raiders' first two drives ended in punts, the offense started its third possession at the Denver 40-yard line thanks to a 59-yard kickoff return from rookie running back Dylan Laube. It was Laube's first career kickoff return and the Raiders' longest kickoff return since a 72-yard return by Dwayne Harris on September 9, 2019, also against Denver.
On the following play, running back Sincere McCormick recorded his first career rush, gaining 11 yards and a first down. Ameer Abdullah and tight end Michael Mayer combined for the next five touches to move the ball deep into the red zone.
On first-and-goal from the six-yard line, Gardner Minshew II rolled away from pressure to his right and delivered the ball to Abdullah, who was matched up one-on-one with rookie linebacker Jonah Elliss. Abdullah secured the catch to put Las Vegas up 7-3 early in the second quarter.
Fake Punt Leads To Field Goal
On fourth-and-four from their own 36-yard line, punter AJ Cole pulled off a fake punt, delivering a pass to linebacker Divine Deablo for 34 yards. The Raiders eventually turned the fresh set of downs into three points as Daniel Carlson converted a 34-yard field goal.
Cole is the first Raiders punter to complete a pass since Shane Lechler on November 4, 2012. Cole's 34-yard completion was the longest by a punter in the NFL since Pat O'Donnell completed a 38-yard pass to Benny Cunningham for the Bears on October 9, 2017.
Defensive Takeaways
Bo Nix and the Broncos offense came out with a clear intention to test a Raiders secondary missing Nate Hobbs and Jakorian Bennett. However, the Raiders kept Denver out of the endzone, holding strong for three field goals.
The Broncos finished the half with 44 rushing yards on 11 carries while Nix registered 129 passing yards. Most importantly, the Raiders held the Broncos to a 1-of-5 mark on third down.
Numbers to Know
With Alexander Mattison and Zamir White both inactive, Ameer Abdullah started at running back for the first time this season. He finished the half with 22 rushing yards on six attempts and 32 receiving yards.
Minshew finished the half 14-of-22 for 117 passing yards.
Led by defensive end Tyree Wilson (1.0 sack, 2 TFL), the Raiders defense recorded four tackles for loss in the first half. Maxx Crosby notched his 100th career tackle for loss to become one of four players in NFL history (since at least 1999) to reach 100 tackles for loss in their first six NFL seasons.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and safety Thomas Harper (34) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) and running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) and quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) makes a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) makes a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) and wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and run game coordinator and linebackers coach Mike Caldwell during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fans during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 53-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and safety Thomas Harper (34) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 22-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) and guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
