Raiders Are Just What the Broncos Needed

Following two straight losses, and three weeks of the Denver defense looking overwhelmed, the Broncos will feel better after today's game.

Denver stormed past the Raiders on Sunday in Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in a game that showed what this team is capable of when they have a good start.

Denver started strong, scoring on its first two possessions but then seemed to stop themselves for the remainder of the first half.

Denver managed to lead at halftime 10-6.

But it was all Broncos in the second half.

The Broncos scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to blow this game open and they never looked back.

Peyton Manning went 30/38 for 338 and three touchdowns.

Willis McGahee ran the ball 19 times for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Yet for all of the offensive fireworks the Denver defense may have been the biggest key.

Keep in mind that Oakland had won the previous four games in Denver.

Also keep in mind that Raider running backs had carried the ball for 150, 165, 133, and 107 yards in those four games.

The Denver defense was having none of that today. They held Raider running back Darren McFadden to just 34 yards on 13 carries.

They also gave Raider quarterback Carson Palmer a reason to stay in bed on Monday.

Palmer managed to go 19/34 for 202 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. And while Palmer was only sacked three times; it was the hurries and the hits that will have him feeling blue in the morning.

After allowing 58 point in the past two weeks the Broncos held the Raiders to just six points and a fourth quarter comeback was not needed for a change.

The one negative for Denver is the loss of starting center JD Walton who left with what appeared to be an ankle injury and never returned.

Final

Raiders 6 Broncos 37