Josh McDaniels has led the Raiders to a winning record for the first time.
To begin the coach’s second season with a win, the revamped club defeated the Broncos 17–16 on Sunday afternoon at Empower Field at Mile High. And the main factor may have been Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback McDaniels personally chose to lead his offense.
Throughout the day, the former 49er and Patriot consistently advanced the Raiders’ offense, completing with 200 yards on 20 of 26 passes. For the first time since the Raiders’ departure to Las Vegas four years prior, Garoppolo guided the team to a touchdown on their first drive of the season. After the Broncos missed an onside kick attempt, the host team recovered, but it was determined that they had touched the ball.
He hit Jakobi Meyers on a delayed pattern in the midst of the defense for a 3-yard touchdown, capping the drive. On the following play, the Broncos added another touchdown when Russell Wilson found Lil’Jordan Humphrey in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown.
But as the game went on, they would fail to score the extra point that would have a significant impact. Daniel Carlson’s 24-yard field goal gave Las Vegas the lead, which they maintained for the most of the first half until giving it up just before halftime.
Wilson scrambled and hit Courtland Sutton for a five-yard score in a play that resembled his first touchdown throw. Denver led 13–10 at the half as a result.
Unlike their previous two red-zone trips, when they emerged with points, the Raiders’ third excursion wouldn’t go as well. After a penalty sent Las Vegas back to the 1-yard line, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw into traffic with a deflected throw that was intercepted by Denver defender Kareem Jackson.
