A slew of injuries and miscues continue to plague a Las Vegas Raiders team desperately trying to get out of a bad funk, dropping Sunday's game, 29-19, to the Denver Broncos.
Though they came into Week 12 down multiple starters on offense and defense, the Silver and Black found a way to make things competitive. They netted over 350 yards of offense for the first time this season and held a lead going into halftime for the first time since Week 1. Their 13 first-half points scored were also a season high.
On defense, the squad kept the Broncos to three field goals in the first half. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix was held a 59.5 completion percentage, coming off an AFC Offensive Player of the Week showing in Week 11, while the Broncos offense went just 6-of-15 on third down.
"Bo Nix is a pretty good football player. ... We got to him early," Antonio Pierce said following the game. "I thought we did a good job of trying to disrupt him. The mindset was to be aggressive and I thought we did do that but when they had to make a play, he made plays for them."
Things went astray in the second half as the Raiders lost the turnover margin by -2 and went 1-of-5 in the red zone. It went from bad to worse as quarterback Gardner Minshew II reportedly suffered a broken collarbone late in the fourth quarter with the team trailing 26-19.
"We'll know more, but it doesn't look good," Pierce said of Minshew's injury.
"We'll see what happens tomorrow," Pierce added. "Looks like [Aidan O'Connell]'s getting better. … Obviously, we've got a short week, play on Friday, travel on Thursday, so we have to make that decision very quickly."
Desmond Ridder could step up at quarterback moving forward if O'Connell isn't ready to come off injured reserve. Ridder came in for Minshew during the final two minutes Sunday and went 5-of-10 for 64 passing yards.
"Just go execute," Ridder said, describing his mentality stepping on the field. "It's the same thing I've been doing this for many years. Just trying to go out there and execute against the defense and get points on the board."
A positive that came from the loss was tight end Brock Bowers setting the franchise record for most receptions by a rookie. He finished with four catches for 38 yards while being covered by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II for a majority of the game.
"It means a lot, a bunch of great players came through this franchise," Bowers said. "Being one of those guys to have that record is just insane to me."
Additionally, Maxx Crosby recorded 100+ career tackles for loss by adding three against the Broncos. He is now one of four players in NFL history (since at least 1999) to reach 100 tackles for loss in his first six NFL seasons, joining J.J. Watt (133), Aaron Donald (117) and DeMarcus Ware (101).
"Being out there with guys like Aaron Donald, Watt ... being among those names means a lot," Crosby said. "I'm a football historian, I keep up on all that. It's all about goals and improving and how I can improve my teammates and help them get better. So, if I can affect the game in any way, whether that's getting tackles for loss or sacks ... I'm going to try and do that."
While individual milestones are impressive feats within the rich history of the organization, team success continues to be the only priority for a Raiders team that is 2-9 on season.
The group is tasked with living and learning on a short week as the 10-1 Kansas City Chiefs are on the horizon in five days. The last time the two teams met in Week 9, the Raiders lost by only one score, 27-20.
"This is a business," running back Ameer Abdullah said. "This is the league. People go down. We can't be worried about, 'Oh, we've got to wait until someone else gets the role filled to do our job.'
"I expect everyone to do the hell out of their job this week to give ourselves a chance against Kansas City."
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.
