It seems easy to pinpoint where things went wrong for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The Silver and Black came out blazing against the Denver Broncos and scored the first 10 points of the game. They also outgained their division rivals in total yardage 330-289 and won the time of possession margin on the day.
Now that it's all said and done, turnovers and penalties were the clear deciding factors in the 34-18 defeat for the Raiders.
The first turnover came as the Raiders were marching toward the end zone to potentially take a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. Gardner Minshew II overthrew Brock Bowers, who the quarterback had connected with for a 57-yard touchdown earlier in the game. Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II had an eye on the ball and then a hand as he caught it for an interception, returning it for a Broncos franchise-record 100-yard touchdown.
"We knew there was going to be a play or two in the game that wouldn't go our way. Obviously, that happened," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said postgame. "At the end of the day, we came back in here at halftime, it was a 10-13 ballgame. Got to keep playing and we just didn't make enough plays. Obviously, penalties and turnovers killed us."
Minshew threw another interception in the third quarter before being replaced by Aidan O'Connell. Surtain had the Raiders number Sunday as he then picked off O'Connell for the Raiders to ultimately lose the turnover margin by three.
The team also committed 11 penalties for 79 yards, their most in a game this season.
"I thought we got off to a good start, but then I killed our momentum with a pick-six," Minshew said. "And at the end of the day I didn't do a good enough job giving us a shot to be competitive in the game. So, at the end of the day, that's on me."
The defense held their own for the first half of the contest, but things began to unravel toward the end of the third quarter. Maxx Crosby, back after missing his first career game in Week 4, finished with two sacks. His five sacks this season are the most by a Raiders player through his first four games of a season since 1997.
Additionally, the defense also limited the Broncos offense to 3-of-12 (25 percent) on third-down conversions.
As the team returns back to Las Vegas, they'll be tasked with taking a deep look at the film and themselves. After that, the 24-hour rule will be in effect and their main objective will be preparing for the Pittsburgh Steelers at home next Sunday.
"Of course nobody wants to lose, but we've got to find ways to win. That's truly all that matters," Crosby said. "Very emotional, big win last week, and we had a tough loss today. So, back to the drawing board, get better one percent every day in every way. That's what we're going to do."
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.
