Raiders win overtime thriller against Broncos with Adams TD

The Raiders took their talents to Denver today to take on the Broncos in an AFC West matchup. Going into today’s game, the Raiders won the last five matchups between the two teams, and after an overtime thriller, Las Vegas was able to extend their streak against the Broncos to six.

The Raiders started the game with the ball and showed promise to end their first drive with some points, but due to penalties, their drive stalled, resulting in a punt by AJ Cole. Denver took advantage of their first drive of the game, ending it with a one-yard touchdown run by RB Latavius Murray, giving the Broncos the lead over Vegas early.

Denver was able to score on their second possession as well after a successful field goal by Brandon McManus to start the second quarter, giving them a 10 point lead. The Raiders were able to get on the board with their only offensive possession in the second quarter after a connection from QB Derek Carr to WR Davante Adams for a 31-yard touchdown, putting the Raiders down by three.

Before halftime, DE Maxx Crosby made his presence known with two big time back-to-back plays. Denver was inching their way toward the end zone, and on third and goals on the Las Vegas three yard line. Denver gave the ball to RB Melvin Gordon to run up the middle, but Crosby punched the ball out, forcing the fumble and setting up Denver for a short field goal. Then, without hesitation, Crosby blocked that field goal.

After the half, Maxx Crosby terrorized QB Russell Wilson, sacking him twice and leading the defense in multiple stops.

“All over the field,” head coach Josh McDaniels said about Crosby. “Effort… he gives tremendous effort.”

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Raiders defense remained relentless, and CB Tyler Hall, who was just elevated from the practice squad Saturday, made his first big play as a Raider on a third and five, sacking QB Russell Wilson and forcing a punt. The Raiders took advantage of the stop by Hall by getting three points on the board after a career-long field goal by Daniel Carlson of 57 yards to tie the game at 13.

Carlson, who held the NFL’s longest active streak of consecutive field goals entering the day, missed his first attempt, ending his lengthy streak at 41 makes, falling short of the NFL record of 44.

The Denver offense and Brandon McManus answered with a field goal of their own to put the Broncos up by three.

With two minutes left and the Raiders needing a stop to get the ball back with a chance to win the game, the defense was able to force QB Russell Wilson to throw the ball away, setting up the punt and the Raiders offense. HC Josh McDaniels didn’t waste time. QB Derek Carr and WR Keelan Cole connected for 21 yards, and on the next play, Derek Carr and RB Josh Jacobs connected for a 43-yard catch, giving the Raiders a first down on the Denver seven yard line.

The Raiders were not able to get the ball into the end zone, instead settling for a field goal by Carlson, tying the game at 16 with only 16 seconds left on the clock.

The Raiders defense prevented the Broncos from scoring in the last 16 seconds, which sent the game into overtime. After the Raiders won the coin toss, McDaniels and the Raiders offense only needed three plays.

The first play was a run by Jacobs which was stuffed. On second and 10, Carr and TE Foster Moreau connected for a 33-yard catch, moving the Raiders offense into Broncos territory early in overtime. The next play, Carr evaded pressure, throwing a 35-yard lob to Adams, who was wide open and didn’t hesitate, completing the catch and ending the game with a touchdown.

“Good execution by both of (Carr and Adams),” McDaniels said about the last play of the game.

Carr said something similar to McDaniels when he was asked about his thoughts during the game-winning pass.

“Don’t over throw it.” Carr said.

Key Performers

• DE Maxx Crosby had two sacks, a forced fumble, and a blocked field goal.
• WR Davante Adams had 141 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.
• RB Josh Jacobs had 109 yards on 24 carries and 51 yards receiving on three catches.
• QB Derek Carr had 23 completions on 37 attempts for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

The Raiders will go into Thanksgiving week with their spirits high after snapping their three-game losing streak to their division rival. When asked about snapping the losing streak, Carr said, “(Today) I think that we all found a way to play better.”

Playoff hopes are still in question for the Raiders, but sweeping the Broncos has pushed them to third in the division, and in the NFL, anything can happen.