Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos needed a win over the Las Vegas Raiders to regain the number one seed in the AFC and also secure the necessary tiebreakers if they end up with the same record as the New England Patriots. They did that with a dominating performance on both sides of the ball against Las Vegas in Week 14.
With nearly 40 minutes in time of possession, Bo Nix and the Broncos offense were firing on all cylinders. They had two 14-play drives that resulted in touchdowns and one very long 19-play drive that added a late game-clinching field goal. That is the kind of run game and pass game we’ve been begging for and it sure was nice to enjoy a win that ran end-to-end.
At 11-2, the Broncos now enter the toughest part of their schedule. They have one of the strongest strengths of schedule over the final four regular season games, so every win will be vital for them now in the race to the one seed.
Each team possessed the ball once in the first quarter. The Broncos opening drive took nine minutes and ended with seven first downs and this Bo Nix run to take the early lead. The drive took 14-plays and 81 yards.
While Geno Smith and the Raiders opening drive took nine minutes and ended on an easy wide open 15-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers to tie the game up. The Broncos defensive issues from last week continued to start this week.
Broncos 7, Raiders 7. Full first quarter recap.
Denver’s defense woke up in the second quarter, though. They would smother Geno Smith and the Raiders offense racking up three sacks in the quarter. The Broncos offense didn’t see the field too much, but that mostly due to Marvin Mims Jr. stealing a possession away from them with this brilliant 48-yard punt return for a touchdown.
The Broncos offense did have a chance to put more points on the board late, but a fourth down pass that was caught by Troy Franklin was initially ruled a first down. However, the young receiver bobbled the pass enough to bring the ball back two yards for a turnover on downs instead. They still can’t seem to figure out how to find consistent play from Franklin, but they did go into halftime up by a touchdown.
Broncos 14, Raiders 7. Full second quarter recap.
The Broncos defense forced a quick three-and-out to start the second half with the offense getting the ball at their own nine yard line. From there, Nix and the offense methodically marched down the field chewing up over nine minutes of clock on a 14-play, 91 yard touchdown drive.
That would be their second 14-play touchdown drive of the game. Both were the longest drives in clock-time of the season. However, the Raiders answered on their next drive getting the ball down inside the 10...
