LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 26: Jalen Richard #30 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball after the catch against Bryce Callahan #29 and Ronald Darby #21 of the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
The 7-7 Denver Broncos had a chance to keep playoff hopes alive with a win on the road against the 7-7 Las Vegas Raiders but came up short, losing 17-13. The recap of the loss is below:
Raiders won the toss and deferred so the Broncos offense was first out on the field with Drew Lock starting his first game of the season.
Drew Lock went 2-3 on his first drive including a QB sneak that gave the Broncos their first 1st down of the game, however, after a deep attempt to Courtland Sutton that he couldn't quite get two feet down, Denver was forced to punt from their own 42 yard line. Sam Martin pinned the Raiders back at their own 4 yard line for their first offensive drive.
The Raiders moved down the ball effectively to mid-field including a 16-yard reception from TE Foster Moreau and an 18-yard catch from Hunter Renfroe but a Bradley Chubb pressure forced an incompletion on 3rd down and a punt from Las Vegas.
The Broncos second drive started at their own 11 yard line. After a couple of big penalties from the Raiders that helped the Denver offense move the ball to mid-field, the result was similar to the first drive where the Broncos were forced to punt for the 2nd time. Las Vegas started their second drive at their own 24 yard line.
Derek Carr took advantage of the better field position, marching the Raiders offense down the field with help from a questionable roughing the passer penalty called against Shelby Harris and capped off a 14-play, 76 yard drive with a 10-yard TD pass to Hunter Renfroe. Raiders lead 7-0 with 11:01 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
The Broncos offense took the field for their 3rd drive and didn't waste any time with Drew Lock finding Jerry Jeudy wide open for a 40 yard gain to kick off the drive. Unfortunately, a couple of penalties from the Broncos OTs stalled the drive and Denver settled for a Brandon McManus 49-yard FG. Las Vegas' lead cut to 4, now leading 7-3 with 7:29 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
The Raiders offense had another crack at extending their lead but the Broncos defense got an important stop, highlighted by a brilliant tackle in open field by Jonas Griffith on RB Josh Jacobs for a 5-yard loss. After a 47-yard punt, the Broncos offense took the field from their own 7 yard line with 4:26 remaining in the half.
Drew Lock took a deep shot at Tim Patrick down the right sideline but couldn't connect and, after a couple of short gains, were forced to punt. Sam Martin punted it 57 yards and the Raiders offense took over at their own 33 yard line.
The Denver defense finally came up with a huge change of possession play. Josh Jacobs fumbled the ball and Mike Purcell fell on it to give the Broncos offense a great shot at points before the half as they were set up at the Las Vegas 41-yard line.
Denver's offense wasn't able to advance the ball much, leaving Brandon McManus a 55-yard FG attempt which he knocked through to cut the lead to 1. Raiders now lead 7-6 with 37 seconds remaining in the half.
On the very next play, Bradley Chubb tipped a screen pass up in the air to himself and returned it to the Raiders 1-yard line. Javonte Williams walked into the end zone and the Broncos took a 13-7 lead into the half.
The Raiders started with the ball out of halftime at their own 25-yard line and ran it right down the Broncos throats, amassing 62 rushing yards on a 9-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a Peyton Barber 5 yard TD. Raiders get the lead back, now up 14-13.
Denver's offense took the field at their own 25-yard line with an opportunity to respond but couldn't put much together following a 20-yard completion to Noah Fant. Another Sam Martin punt gave the ball back to the Raiders offense at their own 13 yard line.
Derek Carr and the Raider offense really got into rhythm on the next drive getting huge chunks of yards in both the run and pass. Las Vegas moved the ball down to the Denver 32 yard line before Shelby Harris got a strip sack fumble on Derek Carr and Dre'Mont Jones came up with the ball for the 3rd forced turnover of the game. The Broncos offense moved the ball into FG range for Brandon McManus but he couldn't connect on a 55-yard attempt. Raiders take over at their own 37-yard line to start the 4th quarter.
Once again, the Raiders had no issues moving the ball (especially on the ground) against the Broncos defense. It wasn't until Las Vegas made it to the Broncos 14-yard line Shelby Harris and Stephen Weatherly were able to sack Derek Carr and force a 41-yard FG from Daniel Carlson. Raiders extended their lead to 17-13.
The Broncos offense was running out of time and were forced to go for it on 4th and 2 at their own 34 yard line. Lock completed a 17-yard strike to Courtland Sutton but a couple of drops from Tim Patrick and Albert O forced another Broncos punt with 3:54 remaining in the game.
Denver didn't get another chance on offense as the Raiders closed out the drive on offense including a completion to Foster Moreau for 28 yards on 3rd down. Broncos fall to the Raiders 17-13.
The next Broncos broadcast will be on Sunday, January 2nd as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. Coverage on KOA begins at 8am MTN.
Postgame interviews with Vic Fangio and Drew Lock and Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan below:
,quality(10),blur(50))