Denver Broncos (3-2) – Las Vegas Raiders (2-3): 34-18
After two surprise victories during their tour on the East Coast, the Denver Broncos continue their good streak. At the end of a stunning divisional duel, the men of Colorado ended a series of 8 consecutive defeats against the Raiders. They posted a positive record for the first time this season (3-2).
The Raiders had started better
Launched with a bang thanks to Brock Bowers' very first NFL touchdown (8 receptions, 97 yards, 1 touchdown), the Raiders quickly thought they had done the hard part. Leading 10-0 thanks to a perfect Gardner Minshew (12/17, 137 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions) at the start of the match, then 10-3 following the reduction of the score at the foot of Lutz, they presented themselves in the red zone in order to drive the point home in the second quarter. A formality, while they are 100% in this exercise so far (10/10, 7 touchdowns and 3 field goals)…
But this will be the starting point of their downfall! On a pass from Minshew thrown over Bowers' head, Pat Surtain II (2 interceptions, 1 touchdown) intercepts the ball and goes up the field for a 100-yard touchdown. The cornerback then established the record for yards on an interception for a Denver player. A hard blow for the Vegas attack which will no longer score a single point in the half, while the Broncos advance just enough to take the advantage before the break (13-10).
Denver and Bo Nix unfold, Minshew is sidelined
Returning from the locker room, both teams still seem to have difficulty moving the ball forward. The fault lies with dominant defenses, notably Maxx Crosby already back at his best (2 sacks). So the locals turn to the ground game, with Javonte Williams (13 races, 61 yards, 5 receptions, 50 yards) and Jaleel McLaughlin (6 races, 22 yards, 3 receptions, 3 yards, 1 touchdown) who advance well the chains. Bo Nix (19/27, 206 yards, 2 touchdowns, 8 races, 10 yards, 1 touchdown) then found the second on a pass at the edge of the line allowing Denver to lead by 10 points (20-10). Meanwhile, Minshew's decline continues. The quarterback finds the hands of Riley Moss for his second interception of the match and is replaced by Aidan O'Connell (10/20, 94 yards, 1 interception).
An electric shock that changes nothing, since Denver continues to unfold. Bo Nix gave his team the lead with a one-yard touchdown run, then a 9-yard pass to Josh Reynolds. The bill should have even been higher if Troy Franklin had not released a perfect pass from his quarterback in the end zone. The Raiders' final burst of pride will not change anything, Ameer Abdullah's run (5 races, 42 yards, 1 touchdown) just serving to reduce the gap. The Denver Broncos overcome their pet peeve for the first time since 2019.
