Oakland, Calif. – They came into the day enjoying a dual renaissance from the world of quarterbacking mistakes. The Broncos’ Jake Plummer and the Raiders’ Kerry Collins: The names were repeated together often in the seven days of “Raider Week.”
The two had similar reputations coming into this NFL season, Collins’ 11th and Plummer’s ninth. Both 30-something quarterbacks worked on the same issues in the offseason after each threw 20 interceptions last season to tie for most in the league. They both conquered those miscue demons during the first half of this season.
Collins and Plummer were the face of quarterback efficiency in 2005, each having thrown only three interceptions, tied for the fewest in the league. Both learned not to force the ball, and learned tossing the ball into the stands was better than throwing it to a different-colored uniform.
Sunday, Plummer separated his name from Collins. Or maybe it was the other way around, as Collins rendered himself no longer worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as No Mistake Jake during Denver’s 31-17 victory.
“We got to him a little bit,” Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said of Collins, who matched his season total with three interceptions Sunday.
“Jake continued to make plays,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said.
While leading the Broncos to a 7-2 record, their best start after nine games since the Super Bowl championship season of 1998, Plummer completed his seventh consecutive game without throwing an interception and has attempted 193 passes without a pick – a franchise record. His last interception was on Sept. 18 in the third quarter against San Diego. His streak surpassed John Elway’s previous franchise mark of 190 consecutive passes without an interception, set in 1997. The NFL record for consecutive passes without an interception is 308, set by Bernie Kosar of Cleveland.
While Plummer kept on the straight and narrow, Collins heard a steady chorus of boos as he reverted to his old ways. Collins ended Oakland’s faint chances of an unlikely comeback by throwing an interception that rookie cornerback Darrent Williams returned 80 yards for a touchdown to give Denver a 31-10 lead with 7:02 remaining.
Shanahan said he could tell from his vantage point on the Denver sideline that Williams had read Collins correctly on the pass that was intended for receiver Jerry Porter. Collins, who completed 26-of-50 passes for 310 yards, made misreads all game as the Denver front four repeatedly harassed him. He was sacked four times, all by defensive linemen, and appeared shaky and off-balance.
“We worked hard to frustrate him,” Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said. “Sometimes when you get a guy down, he stays there. We had a good day against him.”
While Oakland’s offense played a desperation game, Denver was its usual efficient self. Plummer threw 22 times and the Broncos ran the ball 38 times, including seven of their first eight plays and on nine of their 13 plays in the first quarter. Plummer threw more after Denver took a 7-0 lead, but as he has all season, he threw judiciously and effectively. He completed 16 of his 22 attempts for 205 yards. Plummer isn’t going to win any yardage awards this season, but he has been on target.
“He’s a joy to watch,” Broncos safety John Lynch said. “He’s really in a comfort zone and has command of this offense.”
Of course, with command comes the occasional dose of fortune, and Plummer was the recipient of some late in the game. With Oakland down 23-10, rookie linebacker Kirk Morrison dropped a potential interception inside the Broncos’ 25 that he could have returned to bring the Raiders within a touchdown.
“I got lucky,” said Plummer, hesitant to talk about his streak. “It was right in his hands.”
Plummer was good and lucky. Collins was neither.
Two quarterbacks collide
The Broncos’ Jake Plummer and his Oakland counterpart, Kerry Collins, entered the game as the two most efficient quarterbacks this season in the NFL. After the Broncos’ 31-17 win, in which Plummer threw no interceptions and Collins threw three, the comparisons changed. A look at key plays for each:
PLUMMER
Quarter Play
Second — 27-yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith: It gave Denver a 7-0 lead it didn’t give up and established what kind of game it would be.
Second — 37-yard pass to Ashley Lelie: Lelie’s circus catch set up a Jason Elam field goal and a 10-0 lead.
Fourth — A sure interception for a touchdown dropped by Oakland LB Kirk Morrison: It saved Plummer’s streak of passes without an interception and a double-figure lead.
COLLINS
First — Cornerback Champ Bailey takes an interception 18 yards to the Denver 42: The Raiders were driving to take a lead, but their efforts were thwarted.
Third — Safety Nick Ferguson intercepts at the 20 and returns it 18 yards: Raiders were driving while down 20-0. Denver ball.
Fourth — Cornerback Darrent Williams takes interception 80 yards for a touchdown: The third interception in Denver territory ends the ballgame.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
