Instant Replay: Raiders' offense sputters in loss to Denver

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OAKLAND – The Raiders and Denver Broncos met for the 110th time on Sunday afternoon, the latest installment in a storied rivalry that has become a little lopsided.

Denver had won seven straight entering this AFC West clash at O.co Coliseum by an average of 20.14 points, the last six with quarterback Peyton Manning at the helm.

This meeting was not a blowout. Not by any stretch.

The Raiders defense made sure of that. This one came down to the wire, another nail biter in a string of dramatic finishes.

Unlike previous contests, a streak-snapping victory over Denver would signal a return to relevance for a franchise fighting for respect.

They didn’t get it. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw an ill-timed interception that Chris Harris returned 74 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and the Broncos held on for a 16-10 victory.

The Raiders lost their second straight heartbreaker and drop to 2-3 heading into a bye week.

Harris’ interception gave Denver a 16-7 lead with roughly seven minutes remaining. It could’ve been closer.

Typically clutch Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski missed two huge opportunities to pad the Raiders’ point total. He had a field goal blocked in the first quarter – it wasn’t really his fault – and missed a 40-yard field goal that could’ve given the Raiders a fourth-quarter lead.

The Broncos secondary clamped down in the second half, preventing the Raiders passing game from establishing a good rhythm. That produced check-downs to Marcel Reece, who was heavily involved without much open downfield.

The run game was active with Latavius Murray early on, which opened up options with the play-action pass.

Murray, who had a shoulder injury entering the game, got treatment in the locker room in the second half, but spent most of the time after on the sideline seemingly ready to go in.

The offense grew stagnant as the game wore on, and the Broncos defensive pressure in the front and back eventually produced turnovers that ultimate cost the Raiders this game and negated an excellent defensive effort that held Manning in check most of the game. The Raiders were solid on third down, produced turnovers and were tough in the red zone.

Woodson picks Manning: 
Charles Woodson had 62 interceptions heading into Sunday’s game with none of them against Peyton Manning, one of just three NFL players remaining from the 1998 draft class.

Woodson said he’d like to pick Manning. He did it twice. In doing so, Woodson becomes the first 39-year old with a multi-interception game in NFL history.

His first came late in the second quarter. In the end zone. The clutch performance kept the Raiders out front with a 7-3 halftime lead.

That wasn’t enough. He did it again in the third quarter as well, showing great closing speed on a high-arching passing.

Woodson has four interceptions in his last three games and is just the third NFL player to intercept a pass at age 39 or older.

Janikowski struggles on big day: 
Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski set a franchise record with 241 games played, and was honored during the contest for his efforts over so many years.

Other than that, his day didn’t go well. He had a field goal blocked in the first quarter, and missed from 40 yards out on a field goal that could’ve given the Raiders a fourth-quarter lead.

With the Raiders trailing 16-7, Janikowski made a 50-yard field goal to cut the Broncos' lead to 16-10.

Janikowski is normally a touchback machine on kickoffs, but didn’t have the power required to reach the end zone consistently.

Goal-line stand: 
Broncos edge rusher Von Miller made what seemed to be a game-changing play in the third-quarter, when he sacked Derek Carr and took the ball right out of his hands deep in Raiders territory.

The Raiders defense responded exceptionally well despite starting at its own 16-yard line, holding the Broncos offense to a field goal despite three shots with goal to go.

The Raiders were strong in the red zone at times which kept the game close into the second half, even when the offense struggled to get going.

Injury update:
The Broncos have two of the NFL’s best pass rushers, but they lost one in the first half. DeMarcus Ware, who had 4.5 sacks entering Sunday’s game, went down with a back injury and did not return.

Raiders safety Charles Woodson was attended to by trainers and was playing through pain most of the day. He kept returning, though he seemed to pop his shoulder out of joint in the third quarter.

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio could update injuries after the game, though he’s generally reserved when it comes to injury news.

Sitting it out:
Raiders defensive back TJ Carrie was supposed to sit this game out. That’s what Friday’s injury report said. He was then upgraded to questionable and deemed fit enough Sunday morning to play the Broncos that afternoon. He started at safety and played significant snaps.

Defensive tackle Justin Ellis, defensive lineman Denico Autry and running back Taiwan Jones missed Sunday’s game with injury. In addition to Autry, Jones and Ellis, cornerback Dexter McDonald, offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Matt McCants, and receiver Rod Streater were also inactive for the Raiders.

What's next: The Raiders have a bye week upcoming, maybe a littler earlier than they would’ve liked. There’s an 11-game stretch after a week’s respite, including several games against quality opposition. The Raiders will go through an abbreviated practice week before taking the weekend off. They play at the San Diego Chargers in Week 7.

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