Adjust the coaches and switch the quarterbacks, the Raiders continue to own the Broncos.
Jimmy Garoppolo threw two touchdown passes to fellow newcomer Jakobi Meyers in their Las Vegas debut and the Raiders spoiled Sean Payton’s initially sport as Denver’s mentor with a 17-16 gain about the Broncos on Sunday.
“It ain’t got to be rather, you’ve just bought to get it completed,” Davante Adams stated as he walked off the field with Garoppolo immediately after the Raiders stretched their winning streak in excess of their AFC West rivals to seven games in spite of the absence of star pass rusher Chandler Jones, who’s involved in a feud with the entrance place of work.
That skid hurts even even worse to some Broncos enthusiasts than the 15-recreation dropping streak against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Kansas City has owned the AFC West for seven decades whilst the Raiders and Broncos have used that time using turns as the dregs of the division.
Garoppolo, who came to Las Vegas after six seasons in San Francisco, and Meyers, who joined the Raiders immediately after 4 seasons in New England, connected 10 moments for 81 yards, such as touchdowns of 3 and 6 yards.
The next, which erased Denver’s 16-10 direct with 6:34 remaining, followed an conclusion zone interception by Broncos safety Kareem Jackson.
“That’s Jimmy, he’s received wonderful mental toughness. Appreciate his grit. Adore his toughness,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said.
Following using the guide, the Raiders held Denver to its only 3-and-out and Garoppolo got the ball back with about five minutes left and hardly ever gave it back again.
Jackson was whistled for a 15-yard penalty on the travel when he strike Meyers in the head with an elbow just after a crucial capture, sending him to the sideline. That infraction assisted the Raiders operate out the clock.
“I considered we only had to make 1 more play than they did,” McDaniels stated, “and that is what we did.”
Justin Edmonds/Getty Illustrations or photos
Payton returned to the sideline following a year’s sabbatical in the Fox broadcast booth in huge part to revive Russell Wilson’s vocation after the quarterback’s worst season. Wilson looked much better than he did last yr with Nathaniel Hackett at the helm, completing 27 of 34 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns with no an interception.
Wilson only threw for 52 yards in the 2nd 50 percent, nevertheless, following restricted conclude Greg Dulcich (knee) left and the Raiders ramped up their go rush.
Payton’s exclusive groups were the greatest dilemma for Denver.
There was a costly keep that negated 1 return, a botched onside kick to open the activity and two major misses from Wil Lutz, Payton’s dependable kicker in New Orleans whom he reacquired in a trade with the Saints last month.
“My occupation is to make details,” stated Lutz, who was huge right on the two the PAT and a 55-yard industry intention endeavor, “and to reduce a video game by 1 and I depart 4 points on the board, I did not do my job.”
“He’ll bounce again,” Payton stated.
Lutz’s dismal working day introduced renewed scrutiny on Payton’s selection to jettison veteran kicker Brandon McManus past spring. McManus swiftly signed with Jacksonville and was 5 for 5 on PATs and discipline plans Sunday in the Jaguars’ 31-21 earn in excess of the Colts.
Lutz was excellent from 24 yards out to push Denver’s guide to 16-10 halfway by the fourth quarter. That capped a 16-perform, 75-property generate that adopted Jackson’s conclusion-zone interception off Alex Singleton’s suggestion.
“The pick was a awful, silly decision,” mentioned Garoppolo, who done 20 of 26 passes for 200 yards with no a sack. “Just obtained to choose the points there, throw it away when nothing’s there. But you know, I considered the psychological toughness kicked in and fellas trapped with it. They thought in me, so I enjoy them for that.”
Garoppolo rewarded that religion by driving the Raiders 75 yards in 6 plays with the payoff coming on Meyers’ 6-garden TD get and Daniel Carlson’s PAT proved the ultimate margin.
WILSON’S REBOUND
Wilson threw two 5-lawn touchdown passes in the 1st 50 %. The initial was to extensive receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, one more of Payton’s former Saints players, on Denver’s initially push. That marked the initial time considering that 2008 at Oakland that Denver scored a touchdown on its very first generate of the season.
Wilson’s 5-garden strike to Courtland Sutton with 18 seconds left in the next quarter gave Denver a 13-10 halftime lead. Wilson retreated to the locker room owning concluded 17 of 19 passes – with a person of the misses currently being a clock-halting spike – for 125 yards.
“I experience fantastic,” Wilson claimed. “The only matter that’s disappointing is we failed to come up with a get tonight.”
Javonte Williams led Denver with 52 yards on 13 rushes in his to start with recreation due to the fact blowing out his remaining knee at Las Vegas practically a yr in the past.
Accidents
Raiders: D Tre’von Moehrig remaining in the 3rd quarter with an wounded thumb.
Broncos: Protection Caden Sterns (still left knee) was carted off in the 1st fifty percent and TE Greg Dulcich (knee) was injured on Denver’s opening drive right after halftime.
UP Subsequent
Raiders: Visit Buffalo future Sunday.
Broncos: Host Washington upcoming Sunday.
By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Professional Soccer Writer
