Quarterback Derek Carr threw two second-half touchdown passes and defensive end Khalil Mack chalked up FIVE quarterback sacks as the Raiders eeked out a come-from-behind win at Denver. The victory snaps an eight-game skid to the Broncos and keeps the Raiders in the AFC playoff picture.
The Raiders won the opening coin toss and deferred their choice until the second half. WR Cody Latimer watched K Sebastian Janikowski's line-drive kickoff skip through the end zone for a touchback and the Broncos started at the 20 with Brock Osweiler at quarterback. The Broncos drove to the Raiders 23 before the visitors forced a field goal attempt. K Brandon McManus' 41-yard attempt was good and Denver led 3-0 with 9:42 left in the 1st quarter.
WR Jeremy Ross fielded the ensuing kickoff 7 yards deep in the end zone and took a knee for the touchback. The Raiders started at the 20 with Derek Carr at quarterback. The Raiders managed one first down by penalty but the drive ended when LB Von Miller knocked the ball out of Carr's hands. The Raiders recovered the fumble and P Marquette King came on to punt. After a running into the punter penalty, WR Emmanuel Sanders called for and made a fair catch at the Denver 22.
Denver drove to the Oakland 17 before a near interception by safety Charles Woodson forced a field goal attempt. The 35-yard kick put Denver up 6-0 with 2:05 left in the 1st quarter.
Ross returned the ensuing kickoff to the Oakland 26. The Raiders went three-and-out and King came on to punt. Sanders called for and made a fair catch at the Denver 25. The Raiders returned the favor with a three-and-out as the 1st quarter came to a close. Ross called for a fair catch and muffed P Britton Colquitt's 34-yard punt but fell on it at the Oakland 35.
The Raiders went three and out as Carr was sacked for a15-yard loss on 3rd and 10. Sanders returned King's 52-yard punt but a penalty backed the Broncos up to the Denver 26. The Broncos drove to the Raiders 37 before facing 4th and 1. The Broncos decided to go for it and picked it up with a quarterback sweep around left end out of the shotgun. The Raiders forced another field goal attempt. McManus' 29-yard kick but the home team up 9-0 with 4:29 left in the 2nd quarter.
Ross fielded the ensuing kickoff 9 yards deep in the end zone and took the touchback. The Raiders went three and out and King came on again. Sanders called for and made a fair catch at the Denver 37. The Broncos drove to the Raiders 2-yard line but the Raiders forced another field goal attempt. McManus' 20-yard kick gave Denver a 12-0 lead with :04 left in the 2nd quarter.
The kickoff flew through the end zone and the Raiders took possession at the 20. Carr took a knee and the Broncos took a 12-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
McManus' opening kickoff of the 3rd quarter carried Ross out of the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders started at the 20. Carr capped the 80-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to WR Seth Roberts. Janikowski's PAT was good and Broncos lead was cut to 12-7 with 9:47 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos started at the 20 after a Janikowski touchback. Denver's next drive ended when Osweiler was dropped by defensive end Khalil Mack for a 10-yard loss on 3rd down. The sack marked Mack's 10th of the year.
The Raiders started at their 40 after a Colquitt punt. The Raiders went three and out and King came on to punt. Sanders returned the punt to the Denver 24. The Raiders got the ball back when Woodson recovered a WR Demaryius Thomas fumble caused by LB Ben Heeney. The Raiders took over at the Denver 41. Carr was sacked on 3rd down and inches and King came on to punt. King's punt went out of bounds at the Denver 11.
The Raiders got the ball back at the Oakland 47 after a three-and-out and a Ross punt return. King came on after another three-and-out. King's punt bounced out of bounds at the Denver 2-yard line as he channeled his inner Ray Guy.
The Raiders scored a safety thanks to a sack-fumble in the end zone recovered by the Denver. Mack recorded the sack on the play, his 11th on the season. TheScore was 12-9 Denver with 1:50 left in the 3rd quarter.
Ross returned the free kick but a penalty backed the Raiders up to the 23. The Raiders were forced to punt, but Sanders muffed the punt and LS Jon Condo recovered at the Denver 11. After a false start backed the Raiders up, Carr hit TE Mychal Rivera for a 16-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion failed and the Raiders led 15-12 with 14:26 left in the 4th quarter.
After a Janikowski touchback, the Broncos started at the 20. The Broncos got into field goal range. McManus' fifth of the day, a 49-yarder, hit the upright and was no good. The Raiders took over at the Oakland 39.
After a three-and-out, King came on to punt. Sanders called for and made a fair catch at the Denver 14. After a three-and-out, Colquitt came on to punt. Ross returned the boot to the Denver 47. The Raiders were forced to settle for a 43-yard field goal attempt. The kick was no good and the Broncos took over at the Denver 33.
On 4th and 5, TE Vernon Davis was wide open and dropped the pass that would kept the drive alive and possibly gotten the Broncos into field goal range. The Raiders took over on downs at the Denver 37. The Raiders went backwards and King came on to punt. Sanders called for and mad a fair catch at the Denver 8 with 2:35 left to play and no time outs. Khalil Mack's fifth sack, and a big hit from Denico Autry ended Denver drive and gave the ball back to the Raiders at the Denver 21 with 1:25 left.
Carr ran out the clock with kneel downs and secured what looked like an improbable victory. The Raiders improve to 6-7 on the season and head home to take on the Green Bay Packers.
