Denver pressure
1. The Broncos rushed five or more players on 12 of Raiders quarterback ’s 35 drop-backs (34.3 percent), up from 21.4 percent against Seattle’s . A few of the pressure situations against the Raiders, though, came in goal-line and short-yardage so the Broncos didn’t dial up a lot of blitz looks.
Oakland pressure
2. Oakland rushed five or more at Broncos quarterback on 13 of 39 drop-backs (33.3 percent). On the winning drive, Keenum faced four-, five-, six- and eight-man rushes. The Raiders rushed eight (against seven blockers) on Keenum’s second-to-last attempt, a pass that was dropped by receiver .
Airing it out
3. The pass chart spelled out what coach said post-game: The Broncos needed to become more aggressive in the second half. In the first half, Keenum was 0 of 3 with an interception on passes that traveled at least 16 yards in the air. In the second half, Keenum was 5 of 8 for 108 yards with completions of 21, 20, 24, 22 and 21 yards.
Offensive snap count
4. Broncos offensive skill player snap counts (66 snaps): Thomas 59, 54, 54, 41, 28, 26, Devotae Booker 22, 16, 12, 11, 4 and 2.
Defensive snap count
5. Broncos defensive snaps (64 plays): 65, / 63, 58, 57, 53, 49, 48, 47, 34, 28, Tramaine Brock 23, Shelby Harris 22, Zach Kerr/Adam Jones 21, 19, 18, 14 and Josey Jewell 13.
Roby’s rough start
6. The secondary’s tough game started on the second play when Roby bit on the play action, leaving receiver momentarily uncovered for a 23-yard gain. We booked Roby in man coverage for catches of 14, seven and 13 yards by .
Staying tight on Cook
7. A week after catching nine passes, Raiders tight end was held to four receptions for 48 yards. He had gains of four (Davis), 20 (Jewell bit on the play-action), 20 and five yards (Simmons missed the tackle).
Butt busts loose
8. A well-designed play started the Broncos’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive. Butt lined up at fullback and hit the line of scrimmage as if he was going to block. Instead, he kept running straight down the field and Keenum found him for 22 yards when linebacker Tahir Whitehead’s eyes were still in the backfield.
Broncos protection
9. Oakland’s only sack came in the second quarter (2.34 seconds). The play’s timing was disrupted by center ’ high shotgun snap. Cornerback Leon Hall blitzed from the slot. Left tackle Garett Bolles blocked Maurice Hurst and left guard tried to flash out to block Hall but got tangled up with Bolles. That sent Leary down and Bolles off balance, allowing Hurst to get the sack.
Wildcat emerges
10. We knew something was up in the third quarter when Lindsay and Freeman were on the field together. Keenum went wide right, leaving Lindsay in the shotgun. After faking a handoff to Freeman, who was moving right, Lindsay headed toward the left edge. The play lost one yard, though, when tight end Matt LaCosse had to choose between two Raiders to block. That left safety Erik Harris to make the tackle.
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