Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Live coverage: Raiders blow out Broncos for third straight victory

Josh Jacobs, Devontae Booker each score twice

1115_sun_RaidersBroncos3

Steve Marcus

Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (23) makes it past Denver Broncos linebacker Josh Watson (54) to score a touchdown during the second half of a game at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.

Updated Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 | 4:28 p.m.

Raiders Blow Out Broncos, 37-12

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) breaks a tackle attempt during the first half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. Launch slideshow »

Three AFC West opponents up, three AFC West opponents down.

The Las Vegas Raiders continued their march towards a playoff berth Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium and relegated the rival Denver Broncos to the same place they put the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers — the losing column.

The Denver win was Las Vegas’ biggest of the season as the Raiders never trailed and cruised to a 37-12 victory. Josh Jacobs ran for 112 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns to give Las Vegas a third straight victory.

The Raiders now sit at 6-3 on the season with a 3-0 divisional record. Offense largely carried the Raiders to their previous AFC West victories, but it was defense in the starring role against the Broncos.

The Raiders made the afternoon miserable for quarterback Drew Lock, who completed 23 of 47 passes for 257 yards and committed four interceptions. Veteran safety Jeff Heath had two of the interceptions, including one at the end of the first half in the end zone when the Broncos were threatening to score and go into halftime with the lead.

Instead, the stop paved the way for the Raiders to cling to a 10-6 halftime lead that they built on with their now customary big third quarter. Daniel Carlson made a 52-yard field goal to cap the first drive of the second half while Josh Jacobs scored on a 5-yard rush when they got the ball back.

Carlson had three field goals on the day, ensuing Las Vegas came away with points despite drives continually stalling early. The Raiders finished more often late, as former Bronco Devontae Booker scored two rushing touchdowns on his old team when the home team was just trying to run clock.

 Quarterback Derek Carr wasn’t as sharp as he’s been most of the year, though he wound up with a work-manlike stat line of 154 yards on 16-for-25 passing.

No Las Vegas receiver had more than 40 yards.

The Raiders continue an AFC West-heavy portion of their schedule next week with a home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

Check back to lasvegassun.com later for more coverage of the Raiders’ win over the Broncos.

Las Vegas leads 37-12 with less than 2 minutes to go

Devontae Booker scored another one on his former team, breaking free from 23 yards out for his second touchdown of the day.

The Raiders are back up more than three touchdowns after 7-play, 48-yard drive that will almost surely be their last of the day. If they get the ball back, they’re likely to kneel out the remaining time.

Denver had a garbage time score with Drew Lock hit DaeSean Hamilton with a 7-yard touchdown pass in the end zone on a fourth-down play.

Las Vegas leads 37-12 with less than 2 minutes to go

Devontae Booker scored another one on his former team, breaking free from 23 yards out for his second touchdown of the day.

The Raiders are back up more than three touchdowns after 7-play, 48-yard drive that will almost surely be their last of the day. If they get the ball back, they’re likely to kneel out the remaining time.

Denver had a garbage time score with Drew Lock hit DaeSean Hamilton with a 7-yard touchdown pass in the end zone on a fourth-down play.

Raiders lead Broncos 30-6 with 10 minutes to play

Devontae Booker got the touchdown he surely wanted against his old team.

The Raiders’ backup running back made Alexander Johnson miss with a cut at the line of scrimmage and then raced into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown. The blowout is on.

Las Vegas’ latest score came courtesy of the defense’s fourth takeaway of the day as Nevin Lawson forced and then recovered a fumble after a short DaeSean Hamilton reception.

All three of Las Vegas’ touchdowns on the day have come on the ground, as Booker’s score joins a pair from Josh Jacobs.

Raiders lead Broncos 20-6 in final seconds of third quarter

For the first time today, the Raiders have a double-digit lead.

Josh Jacobs scored his second rushing touchdown, taking a handoff five yards off the edge of the left side of the Raiders’ offense line. Jacobs also crossed the 100-yard mark with the run as he now sits at 102 rushing yards on 18 carries.

The Broncos are averaging only 4.5 yards per play, meaning something will need to change to enable them to mount a comeback.

Raiders lead 13-6 with 9:08 to go in third quarter

Daniel Carlson put himself in the running for a game ball with his latest field goal, one to put the Raiders back up a touchdown to open the second half.

Carlson nailed a 52-yarder once the Raiders’ initial second-half drive stalled at the Broncos’ 33-yard line. Despite the lead, Las Vegas looked sloppy for another stretch.

Darren Waller dropped a potential touchdown pass along the sideline early in the drive before getting some of it back with a 24-yard reception over the middle. Josh Jacobs then lost five yards, however, and the Raiders couldn’t gain any more yards before trotting Carlson out for the field goal.

Las Vegas’ defense has overshadowed its offense for once, at least in the first half with a pair of turnovers. Now it’s time to see if the unit can keep up its success.

Raiders lead 10-6 at halftime

The Broncos appeared to take the lead right before halftime when Drew Lock ran in a short touchdown, but a holding call negated the score.

Then disaster struck for Denver. Drew Lock threw an interception on the ensuing play as Jeff Heath picked off a pass for the second time today to preserve the score.

The Broncos hold a 196-152 yardage advantage, but have only two Brandon McManus field goals to show for it.

Las Vegas leads Denver 10-6 with 1:44 left in first half

The Broncos have defended the Raiders’ pass game well, so the home team changed its focus to the ground on their latest drive.

The Raiders now have a 4-point lead behind the legs of Josh Jacobs who brought the team inside the 10-yard line where they couldn’t get into the end zone on three chances. Las Vegas settled for a 24-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson.

Jacobs was stuffed on first-and-goal, on second, Nelson Agholor dropped an otherwise sure touchdown catch. Jacobs’ 11-yard rush in the first quarter remains the game’s only touchdown.

Broncos cut Raiders deficit to 7-6 with 8:15 until halftime

Drew Lock’s two best passes of the day made way for Brandon McManus’ second field goal of the day.

McManus made a 33-yarder to cut Las Vegas’ lead to a single point after Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick caught a pair of passes for a combined 53 yards.

On the day, Lock is 9-for-17 with 106 yards and an interception. Derek Carr has gone 4-for-7 for 39 yards for the Raiders.

As those numbers may hint, it’s been a slow, ugly game so far at Allegiant Stadium.

Raiders lead 7-3 at end of the first quarter

Las Vegas will be driving in Denver territory as the second quarter begins courtesy of a Jeff Heath interception.

Drew Lock threw his seventh interception of the year on an overthrow intended for K.J. Hamler that instead went right into the hands of Heath, who returned the pick 24 yards to the Denver 39-yard line.

The Raiders may have needed the boost on going three-and-out on their last offensive possession. The Broncos were able to add a field goal, a 50-yarder from Brandon McManus, to cap an 8-play, 42-yard drive on the possession before the interception.

Raiders lead 7-0 with 9:44 remaining in first quarter

Josh Jacobs and the mishmashed Raiders’ offensive line made it look easy.

Jacobs went untouched from 11 yards out for the first points at Allegiant Stadium this afternoon. It was the Raiders’ first drive, and officially went 62 yards in seven plays and 3:42.

Hunter Renfrow had the longest play, catching a pass from Derek Carr in practice and going 25 yards to get into Denver territory.

The Broncos went three-and-out on their first possession.

Raiders announce inactives

The bad news: The Raiders remain banged up. The good news: They’re not any worse than expected going into this afternoon’s game against the Broncos.

No surprises were on the just-released inactives list, though it did confirm that tackle Kolton Miller would miss his second straight game. That means Las Vegas will be without both of its starting tackles as Trent Brown remains on the COVID-19 list.

The Raiders’ depth at guard is also cut into as John Simpson will miss today’s game. Elsewhere, quarterback Marcus Mariota is again inactive as the planned backup has yet to make his active debut on the roster.

Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is also out as he continues to rehabilitate his ankle. Cornerback Amik Robertson is healthy scratch.

WEEK 10

• Who: Broncos (3-5) at Raiders (5-3)

• When: 1:05 p.m.

• Where: Allegiant Stadium

• Media: KLAS-TV Channel 8; Raider Nation Radio 920 AM, KOMP 92.3

• Betting line: Raiders -4.5, over/under 50

Las Vegas coach Jon Gruden called it “a special week.” Quarterback Derek Carr said memories — both good and bad — flood into his mind anytime he’s preparing to play the Broncos. The Raiders somewhat downplayed rivalries with the Chiefs, Chargers and even the Patriots earlier this year, but they’re openly anticipating meeting the Broncos for the first of two meetings this season. Maybe it’s because they’re looking forward to a home game after two straight weeks on the road. Or, for the more cynically minded, maybe it’s because the Raiders are the biggest favorite they’ve been all season. Whatever the reason, it appears to be a consensus across every player who’s spoken to the media throughout the week: They’re excited to share a storied series against the Broncos with Las Vegas for the first time.

Favorable matchup: Raiders’ pass defense vs. Drew Lock

There’s some explaining to do with this one considering the Raiders have been among the worst teams in the league against the pass all season, which pretty much precludes their defensive backfield from ever being a favorable matchup. To add to the concern this week, they’re beaten up with top cornerback Trayvon Mullen (hamstring) and safety Johnathan Abram (groin) trending towards gametime decisions with injuries. Cornerback Damon Arnette could also be limited in his return from thumb surgery. But if there ever was a game where these issues were manageable, it’s against the Broncos and their struggling second-year quarterback. Lock sits second-to-last in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks in QBR, ahead of only Washington’s long-ago benched Dwayne Haskins. He has six touchdowns to six interceptions and has piled up the majority of his yardage totals against soft coverages in garbage time. Las Vegas has faced a murderer’s row of quarterbacks so far but should be getting a break against Denver.

THEY SAID IT

• “(Denver) is a great organization. The AFC West is a big reason I wanted to come back and coach. It’s been a division that’s been in its entirety for a long time. These are great rivalries.” -Gruden on how games like Raiders vs. Broncos drew him back to the sidelines

• “I didn’t really get the carries I thought I should have had in Denver.” -Running back Devontae Booker on his decreased workload in each of the last three seasons as a member of the Broncos

• “We want to make that place special, where people are like, ‘Man, we’ve got to play the Raiders,’ and there’s a feeling in their stomach like, ‘Dang.’ That’s not going to happen unless we earn that.” -Carr on going 1-2 in the first three games at Allegiant Stadium

• “How does Damon look? Damon, if you haven’t seen him yet, has red hair. I talked to him and he has bright red hair and silver teeth now, so he looks like a living Ohio State Buckeye.” -Gruden on the return of cornerback Damon Arnette

Problematic matchup: Broncos’ pass rush vs. Raiders’ offensive line

Some expected Denver’s edge-rushing success to decline when former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller went down with an ankle injury in the preseason. That hasn’t been the case. The Broncos sit sixth in the NFL in adjusted sack rate with former top-five draft pick Bradley Chubb leading the way and former UNR linebacker Malik Reed helping fill the void left byMiller’s absence. The two alone have combined for 10.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. And now they have a plus matchup against a makeshift Las Vegas offensive line still reeling from numerous injuries. The Raiders could be out three tackles against the Broncos with Trent Brown still on the COVID-19 list, Kolton Miller having not practiced with an ankle injury and Sam Young hobbled with knee and ankle injuries. Las Vegas’ planned starting offensive line coming into the season has played all of three snaps together, and that doesn’t appear to be increasing any time soon.

Gamebreaker: Defensive end Clelin Ferrell

The Raiders’ once-maligned fourth overall draft pick has broken out over the past month. Having already established himself as Las Vegas’ best run stuffer over the first quarter of the season, the former Clemson star has suddenly amped up his ability to get to the quarterback. He registered a career-high four quarterback hits on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert last week. Although Ferrell is still looking for his first sack of the season, it’s going to come if he keeps at a pace that has already seen him match last year’s total of eight pressures. It may come this week considering Denver might be down to its third right tackle with Demar Dotson nursing hand and groin injuries. Hurries might be just as useful as sacks against Denver anyway given Lock’s troubling tendency to fling ill-advised passes amid collapsing pockets.

Big Number: 0

The number of interceptions Carr has thrown this year with a clean pocket, making him one of only two passers in the league with at least four starts that’s still flawless in the category according to Pro Football Focus. The other is reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Not only have both of Carr’s interceptions come when he’s under pressure, but so have the majority of his five fumbles. The statistic is another testament to how important it is for the Raiders to keep Carr comfortable. When given time, he’s completely avoiding mistakes and slicing opposing defenses to shreds. He’s enjoyed particular success lately against Denver, completing 75% of his passes in his past five games against the Broncos. In that stretch, he has thrown five touchdown passes and zero interceptions as the Raiders have gone 3-2, with both losses by one point.

Best Bet: Henry Ruggs longest reception over 17.5 yards

Now is the time to buy low on Ruggs, who has totaled only four catches for 43 yards over the last three games combined. Las Vegas is determined to get the first-round draft pick going, making it likely that Gruden scripts some early plays designed to hit Ruggs deep and/or give him space to work in open field. The Raiders ultimately want Ruggs to emerge as their go-to receiver, but for now, he’s almost exclusively a big-play threat, which makes this number seem low. Out of his 10 catches on the year, four of them have gone for more than 17.5 yards. He was one foot away from going 5-for-11 last week when he barely couldn’t stay in bounds on a fourth-quarter bomb down the sideline from Carr.