DENVER—Champ Bailey sauntered out of the locker room with a noticeable limp.
The Denver Broncos Pro Bowler was far from alone.
The Broncos were quite banged up and beaten during a 23-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Monday night in a game that featured Sebastian Janikowski’s NFL record-tying 63-yard field goal.
Brandon Lloyd was hobbled by a groin injury, Elvis Dumervil limited to spot rushing duty because of a balky shoulder and Knowshon Moreno was bothered by a hamstring.
All those injuries may turn out to be nothing. Or they may be a big deal.
“It’s a hamstring thing. I’ve dealt with it before,” Bailey said on his way out. “Just got to see how it is. Get an MRI and go from there.”
The Raiders (1-0) won in Denver for the fourth straight season in coach Hue Jackson’s NFL head coaching debut, and handed the Broncos (0-1) their first loss in a home opener since 2000.
“There’s no consolation for close,” said coach John Fox, who was making his Broncos debut.
The Broncos cut the deficit to 23-20 on Kyle Orton’s 9-yard TD toss to Lance Ball, but that’s as close as they would come.
From there, the Raiders ran out the clock.
“I know we’re going to look at this tape and notice a lot of missed assignments,” Bailey said. “That’s just attitude, heart and desire. I don’t think we had enough of that to win this game.”
Orton had a tough night as well. He finished 24 of 46 passes for 304 yards with an interception. As he trudged off the field, fans that were remaining began chanting, “Tebow! Tebow!” But Tim Tebow isn’t about to take the field as the starting QB anytime soon.
The Broncos kept stubbing their toe deep in Oakland territory, none more damaging than when they reached the Raiders 24 and Orton had tight end Daniel Fells open going into the end zone. Only, the ball tumbled out of his hand and defensive end Lamarr Houston pounced on it.
“I just feel sick about the ball slipping out of my hands like that,” Orton said. “It’s just one of those deals that’s sickening to have happen to you. It never really happened to me before.”
That’s the thing: Of all the wounds the Broncos suffered, most were self-inflicted. The team had 10 penalties for 91 yards and committed three turnovers.
“It’s tough,” linebacker Joe Mays said. “It’s tough that we say all week that we want to come out and play a penalty-free game and come out and make a lot of penalties.
“It’s back to the drawing board.”
Just seconds before halftime, Janikowski took a crack at history, kicking the ball low and watching it barely creep over the crossbar. Janikowski now shares the NFL record with Jason Elam and Tom Dempsey.
His teammates ran onto the field to celebrate before heading into the locker room.
It was one of three field goals Janikowski had in the second quarter, the other two much shorter. Fullback Marcel Reece also hauled in a TD pass.
“To be honest, I didn’t hit it that good. It barely got over the bar,” Janikowski said. “I hit a 70-yarder in pregame.”
The Broncos are trying to turn things around a year after going a franchise-worst 4-12. They brought in Fox and turned the reins over to Hall of Famer John Elway, who’s serving as chief of football operations. The organization even renamed their stadium (Colorado-based Sports Authority recently took over the naming rights from Invesco and completed its sign out front just in time for the opener).
Still, it’s difficult to erase all the memories from an abysmal 2010.
One of the low points for the Broncos in a season full of worthy candidates was an embarrassing 59-14 thumping by the Raiders on Oct. 24. It could’ve been even worse but the Raiders relented in the fourth quarter, showing mercy toward one of their most bitter rivals.
Darren McFadden led the way, shredding the porous Denver defense for 165 yards rushing and three scores. On Monday night, facing an overhauled Denver defensive front, McFadden had another solid game, rushing for 150 yards on 22 carries.
“He has good vision,” Mays said. “He’s a fast guy. Once he hit that sideline, it’s kind of like we’re all chasing after him. He’s a great back. We have to play better.”
As for the injuries, the Broncos are hopeful they’re not too serious.
“You always have concern,” Fox said. “I had concern when they left the game tonight.”
Notes: Eric Decker returned a punt 90 yards for a score in the third quarter. … Rookie LB Von Miller caused a fumble on his first defensive play, with fellow rookie Rahim Moore recovering the ball. … The Broncos started four rookies in a season opener—Miller, Moore, TE Julius Thomas and RT Orlando Franklin—for the first time ever. … Lechler’s 77-yard punt tied a team record set by Wayne Crow in 1961.
