Oakland Handles Denver Again

“I’m proud of what we did today,”---Head Coach Tom Cable

By Barbara Mason 12/19/10
Bay Area Sports Drive-Raiderdrive
Photos: Kym Fortino-Raiderdrive-BASD Photographer

Sunday afternoon, under rain-laden skies, the Oakland Raiders took on division rivals the Denver Broncos.  Their first game this season was an absolute drubbing by the Raiders in Denver by the count of an incredible 59-14 at INVESCO field.  Oakland led 21-0 after the first six minutes of that game and the Denver Broncos were here in Oakland in hopes of returning the favor.   The Raiders have been playing some good football of late losing a heartbreaker in Jacksonville last week and Denver has been playing less than stellar for much of this season. 

It seemed as if Oakland took up where they left off in their last meeting with the Broncos.  Their first series resulted in a Jacoby Ford romp around the right end on a reverse for 71 yards and the early lead 7-0.  This was scored less than two minutes into the game.  The Broncos second series was another three and out.  The Raiders second series was halted when Denver intercepted deep in Oakland territory and the momentum that seemed to be on the Silver & Blacks side was halted.  The Broncos were able to tie up the game 7-7 when QB Tim Tebow was able to rush down the middle for 40 yards and the touchdown.  Mid-way through the first quarter Denver was back in business recovering a fumble in Oakland territory and it seemed that history would not be repeating itself at least not by the margin that Oakland enjoyed last October.  A fumble and an interception by the Raiders was an ugly start.  Denver would take the lead 14-7 when #84 Brandon Lloyd hauled in a Tebow pass in the end zone.  That reception was originally called out of bounds.  The challenge flag was thrown and the call was reversed giving the Broncos that 14-7 lead. 

The Raiders best drive came late in the first quarter when they drove from the Denver 31 culminating in a one-yard rush by #29 Michael Bush for the touchdown. #20 Darren McFadden contributed a 36 yard run in that drive as Oakland tied the game at 14.  The Broncos would take back the lead 17-14 off a 46 yard field goal by #3 Steven Hauschka.   When it looked as if Oakland had taken the lead, a touchdown was called back on an offensive hold followed by a Denver interception.  Two interceptions and a fumble made things awfully tough for the Raiders.

With a little over two minutes left in the half, Denver bobbled a punt that was recovered by the Raiders near midfield.  A Janikowski field goal of 49 yards tied-up the game at 17 as the half came to an end. 

Midway through the third quarter, Denver went to work deep in their own territory. The Oakland defense held tough forcing the Bronco punt and giving Oakland prime field position. 

Oakland took the lead 20-17 when Janikowski kicked his second field goal of the game for 36 yards.  Denver went right back to work driving into Oakland territory.  Unable to find the end zone, the Broncos settled for a 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 20.   Up to this point it was a real see saw battle.  

The Raiders began an efficient drive of their own moving into Denver territory.  Unable to score the touchdown for a second time in the quarter, Janikowski kicked his third field goal of the game, this one for 47 yards now leading 23-20. 

The early goings of the fourth quarter saw Oakland add to the score when Campbell found Marcel Reese who raced down the sidelines for 73 yards and the touchdown.  The Raiders had increased their led by a score of 30-20.  Denver pulled within seven when Steven Hauschka kicked a 45 yard field goal with under ten minutes left in the game the score now 30-23.  A safety and a touchdown later the Oakland Raiders had sewn this one up 39-23.  It was Quentin Groves who forced that safety. 

Head Coach Tom Cable had some harsh words for his team at the half, but nothing but praise of their second half play after the game.   “It was an ugly first half.  We were not focused on offense,” he said.  “I am proud of what we did today,” he said in regards to the second half.  “It’s a credit to our offense, a hell of a job by our offense.  We’ve got to be better in the first half.”

Cable applauded the Raider Nation for coming out to the game despite the threatening weather.  As it turned out, there were only a few showers in the third quarter.  He also was very happy with another impressive performance by Darren McFadden.  “He’s been healthy this year and he has been very productive.”

The bold move late in the fourth quarter to go on fourth down was a decision that Cable made thinking a first down would nail the coffin shut and indeed, it did.

The task at hand for the Oakland Raiders is to win out.  They need a lot of help but their first challenge will come next Sunday when Peyton Manning and the Colts come into Oakland.  They can only do what they can do as they come into this game with a 7-7 record.  A 9-7 season for Oakland will be a victory in itself.  They are undefeated in their division another victory.  For now, it’s one game at a time.