WR Jacoby Ford scored on a 71-yard run on a reverse on the Raiders first play from scrimmage in their 39-23 win over the Denver Broncos. AP Photo.
The Oakland Raiders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 39-23 victory over the Denver Broncos in 2010 Week 15 action at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. RB Darren McFadden cracked 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career with 119 yards on 20 carries. RB Michael Bush scored on a pair of 1-yard TD runs and the Raiders added touchdowns on two plays of more than 70 yards.
The Raiders won the opening coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. WR Eric Decker returned the opening kickoff to the Denver 27. The Raiders held QB Tim Tebow and the Broncos to a three and out and P Britton Colquitt's punt was downed at the Raiders 39 and a penalty backed the Silver and Black up to their 29.
Rookie WR Jacoby Ford took a pitch from QB Jason Campbell on a reverse, got two great blocks downfield, and raced 71 yards for a touchdown on the Raiders first play from scrimmage. Janikowski's extra point was good and the Raiders led 7-0 with 13:14 left in the first quarter.
Decker returned the ensuing kickoff to the Denver 37. The Broncos went three and out and Nick Miller returned the punt to the Raiders 34. Two plays later, the Broncos intercepted a Campbell pass and returned it to the Oakland 26. A penalty backed the Broncos up to the Oakland 41. A couple of plays later on 3rd and 24, Tebow took a quarterback draw up the middle and ran 40 yards for the score. The extra point was good and the game was tied 7-7 with 9:40 left in the first quarter.
Ford returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 23. A few plays later, the Raiders fumbled the ball back to Denver who took over at the Oakland 32. A few plays later, Tebow hooked up with WR Brandon Lloyd for a 34-yard TD pass. The extra point was good and Denver took a 14-7 lead with 7:38 left in the first quarter.
Ford returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 31. The Raiders answered with a long touchdown drive that was capped by a RB Michael Bush 1-yard touchdown run. Janikowski's extra point was good and the game was tied at 14-14 with 3:20 left in the first quarter.
Decker returned the ensuing kickoff to the Denver 30. K Steven Haushka converted on a 46-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead with 14:09 left in the second quarter. Ford returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 19. The Raiders were on the move but an interception and return gave the Broncos the ball at midfield.
The Raiders defense held firm on 3rd and 7 and Colquitt came on to punt. He punt sailed into the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders took over at their 20 with 8:09 left in the second quarter. The Raiders moved put to their 46 but were forced to punt. Syd'Quan Thompson returned the punt and a penalty backed the Broncos up to their 15.
Denver moved out to their 38 before the Raiders forced a punt. Nick Miller fielded the punt and was dropped immediately at the 8. The Raiders went three and out, Janikowski came on to punt for an injured Lechler, and the Broncos muffed the kick and S Hiram Eugene recovered at the Raiders 46.
Janikowski tied the game at 17-17 with a 49-yard field goal with 1:03 left in the 2nd quarter.
Denver took over at their 29 after the return of the ensuing kickoff. The Broncos were unable to dso anything with the ball and the teams went to the locker room tied.
Ford returned the opening kickoff of the 2nd half 23 yards to the Oakland 27. The Raiders penalty-filled drive stalled at midfield. Lechler's punt rolled out of bounds at the Denver 6 and a penalty on the Broncos backed them up to their own 3.
Nick Miller returned the punt and a facemask gave the Raiders a 1st and 10 at the Denver 24. The Raiders were forced to settle for a 36-yard field goal attempt. The kick was good and the Raiders took a 20-17 lead with 7:27 left in the 3rd quarter.
Decker returned the ensuing kickoff to the Denver 37. Haushka kicked a 35-yard field goal to cap a 6-play, 47-yard drive and Denver tied the game at 20-20 with 5:03 left 3rd quarter.
Ford returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 34. Janikowski capped a 6-play, 37-yard drive with a 47-yard field goal and the Silver and Black took a 23-20 lead with 1:29 left in the third quarter.
RB Lance Ball returned the ensuing kickoff to the Denver 36. The Raiders forced a three and out and Colquitt came on to punt. Nick Miller returned the kick to their 27. Campbell then hooked up with FB Marcel Reece for a 73-yard catch and run for a touchdown. The extra point was good and the Raiders took a 30-20 lead with 14:32 left in the 4th quarter.
Decker returned the ensuing kickoff to the Denver 24. Haushka then converted a 45-yard field goal attempt and the Raiders still lead 30-23 with 10:04 left.
RB Rock Cartwright returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 35. The Raiders drove to the Broncos 40 before having to punt. Lechler's 34-yard punt was downed at the Broncos 6-yard line with 8:21 left in the game.
Two plays later LB Quentin Groves dropped RB Correll Buckhalter in the end zone for a safety to give the Raiders a 32-23 lead. Nick Miller returned the free kick and a late hit out of bounds gave the Raiders great field position. Bush capped an 8-play, 47-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good and the Raiders led 39-23 with 3:37 left to play.
Decker returned the ensuing kickoff to the 31. The Raiders held the Broncos to a three and out and Nick Miller returned the Colquitt punt to the Raiders 33. The Raiders ran out the clock and secured the victory.
The Raiders improve to 7-7 on the season (5-0 in the AFC West) and host the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.
