Bo Nix, secondary shine in Broncos' win vs. Raiders; Gardner Minshew benched: Key takeaways
NFL Week 5 Update: Broncos Defeat Raiders 34-18 #
The Denver Broncos snapped an eight-game losing streak against their divisional opponent, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18 at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday.
The Broncos’ rookie quarterback had a strong performance, bouncing back from a challenging Week 4 with 206 passing yards and three combined touchdowns. He maintained his streak of games without an interception and achieved a career-high 70.4 percent completion rate.
Denver’s defense played a crucial role, intercepting Raiders quarterbacks three times. A 100-yard pick-six by a Broncos cornerback was a game-changing moment, swinging momentum in Denver’s favor. The same player later recorded his second interception of the game.
The Raiders made a quarterback change in the second half, replacing their starter. A Raiders defensive player also left the game with a foot injury.
Defensive Turnaround #
The 100-yard interception return for a touchdown was a pivotal moment, preventing the Raiders from taking a potential 17-3 lead. This play, coupled with strong pressure from the Broncos’ defense, led to a dominant performance. The defense swarmed the Raiders’ quarterback, closing off routes and adding more interceptions as the game progressed.
Offensive Progress #
After a slow start, the Broncos’ offense showed signs of improvement in the second half. They produced two touchdown drives and nearly had a third. The running game became more effective, with one player totaling over 100 yards of offense. The rookie quarterback finished with solid stats and no turnovers.
However, the Broncos did suffer some offensive line injuries during the game.
Raiders’ Quarterback Situation #
The Raiders benched their starting quarterback after he threw two interceptions. The backup came in during the third quarter but also threw an interception before leading a late touchdown drive.
The Raiders’ offense struggled, particularly in the passing game. While one tight end had a productive outing with 97 yards and a touchdown, the team’s receivers were largely held in check. The running game was more effective, with 25 carries for 115 yards.
The Raiders’ offensive woes may be exacerbated by the potential departure of a star wide receiver, who has requested a trade. The team’s performance in his absence over the past two games has been concerning, raising questions about their offensive capabilities moving forward.