A final look at the Broncos’ 27-14 loss to the on Monday night:
1. A week after Cleveland rushed five or more players on 35.8 percent of his drop-backs, Broncos quarterback saw the Raiders send at least five on only 16.7 percent of his drop-backs (seven of 42). The Raiders’ lone sack came with a six-man pressure when safety Karl Joseph had a free run at Keenum after running back went to chip an edge rusher instead of staying home.
2. The Raiders entered the game with 48 sacks allowed, but the Broncos could get to only once (first drive of the game). The Broncos rushed at least five on seven of Carr’s 31 drop-backs (38 percent). Defensive end got the sack in 3.15 seconds. It was a four-man pressure against a seven-man protection. Defensive end and linebackers and all were double-teamed, and Gotsis beat center Rodney Hudson.
3. The Broncos have played two games since coach wanted Keenum to be more aggressive. Against Cleveland, he was 0-of-4 passing with two interceptions. Against Oakland, he was 2-of-8 passing for 45 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The completions Monday were 26 yards to (21 air yards) and a 19-yard touchdown to (caught in the end zone). Two other Keenum downfield shots drew penalties on the Raiders.
4. It was a rare tough game for safety . He had only three missed tackles in the first 14 games, but he matched that total against the Raiders, twice failing to corral running back (gains of 14 and 12 yards) and not wrapping up on running back Jalen Richard on his 3-yard touchdown.
5. Raiders receiver was targeted 10 times, catching seven passes for 75 yards. Against rookie cornerback Isaac Yiadom in man coverage, Carr was 3-of-5 for 27 yards throwing to Nelson and 3-of-3 for 32 yards against cornerback Tramaine Brock.
6. A sign of a broken offense: many third-and-longs. In falling behind 17-0 in the first half, the Broncos needed an average of 9.3 yards to go on third down (converted 2-of-8). In the second half, they were 4-of-6 on third down, needing an average of 6.8 yards per attempt.
7. Even when they get a chunk play, the Broncos have a hard time sustaining momentum. Second quarter: Fullback Andy Janovich breaks a tackle for an 11-yard catch to start a drive. But on the next play, Patrick loses 7 yards on an end-around when defensive end Arden Key slices by Janovich to disrupt the play. Later in the second quarter: Four plays gain 32 yards, but running back loses a yard on second-and-4 and Keenum throws it away on third down.
8. On their opening second-half possession, the Broncos had third-and-2 from the 35. Not only do they not trust their dormant run game to get the first down, they feel Booker needs help getting open in the right flat, so Sutton ran a pick and was called for pass interference (his third of the year). The Broncos punted after a failed third-and-12.
9. On consecutive fourth quarter plays, Keenum extended the play … and extended the play … and extended the play. On first-and-10 from the Raiders’ 19, Keenum retreated all the way to the 44 before returning to the 30 to throw incomplete. He held the football for 11.03 seconds. On the next play, he threw in 6.40 seconds (touchdown to Sutton).
10. There was a surprising lack of awareness by Broncos linebacker in the second quarter. He was late getting off the field, turning a second-and-10 into a second-and-5 after the 12 men-on-the-field penalty. The Raiders made it 14-0 to cap that drive. It was the fourth too-many-men penalty by the defense this year.
