Raiders run through the Broncos 32-23 en route to first win

The Las Vegas Raiders went into their first divisional game winless, but after a career night from RB Josh Jacobs, they get their first win on the season against the Denver Broncos by a score of 32-23. The Raiders improve to 1-3 and the Broncos fall to 2-2.

Coach Josh McDaniels said they wanted to make this a physical game.

“We leaned on Josh and the running game a little bit more than what we have,” McDaniels said. “Our goal was to make it a fourth quarter game.”

The Raiders came out running and gunning during their first series of the game, but the team’s red zone problems continued and they had to settle for three points. The Broncos responded with a touchdown pass from QB Russell Wilson to WR Courtland Sutton.

Jacobs’ big night continued as he added a 10-yard touchdown run to retake a 10-7 lead. A couple drives later, Broncos RB Melvin Gordon got the call, but he fumbled right into Raiders CB Amik Robertson’s hands, who ran it back for a 68-yard touchdown, the first defensive touchdown for the Raiders since 2019.

Towards the end of the second quarter, QB Derek Carr used his legs to gain a first down and put the Raiders in field goal range with time expiring. Carr finished the game with a season-high 40 rushing yards. The Raiders took a 19-16 lead into halftime.

The Raiders defense in the second half came to play once again. They only allowed one touchdown and were keeping Wilson under duress the whole night. DE Maxx Crosby was causing chaos and CB Nate Hobbs was locking everything down.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Raiders were up two points and needed a methodical drive to put the game away and get the win against the Broncos. Jacobs’ seven-yard touchdown run capped off a time-consuming drive to ice the game.

McDaniels said they had an opportunity to close this game out with his offense and he trusted them.

“The guys had a great mentality on the sideline, they know that is what we wanted to do if Denver scored,” McDaniels said.

The Raiders offense wasn’t pretty, but behind Jacobs’ career night and WR Davante Adams’ 100-yard game, they were able to win the game. Jacobs and Adams are the first 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver the Broncos have allowed all season.

Key Performers

• RB Josh Jacobs rushed for a career-high 144 yards, scored two TDs, and gained another 31 yards through the air
• WR Davante Adams caught nine passes for 101 yards
• DE Maxx Crosby led the team with two sacks and four TFLs
• CB Nate Hobbs had three tackles, one sack, one TFL, and one PD
• CB Amik Robertson finished with three tackles and one defensive TD

Things don ‘t get easier for the Raiders as they visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 10, which will be the Raiders’ first primetime game of the season.