Broncos' Biggest Winners & Losers in 17-16 Defeat to Raiders
The Denver Broncos extend their losing streak against the Las Vegas Raiders to seven in a row. It happened at home, no less.
It was more of the same from the ineptitude that the Broncos have exemplified over the past seven years. If the level of performance that was displayed in Week 1 continues on into the season, Broncos fans could be treated to yet another losing season.
There is plenty of blame to go around and very little good to glean from the Broncos' 17-16 loss to the Raiders. Who were the Broncos' biggest winners and losers in yet another pathetic showing?
Let's dive in.
Loser: Damarri Mathis | CB
Winner: Javonte Williams | RB
Loser: Wil Lutz | K
Loser: Broncos' Pass Rush
Winner: Russell Wilson | QB
It's tough to give a nod to Russell Wilson with the Broncos' poor offensive performance after halftime, but that second-half ineptitude can be put at the feet of new head coach Sean Payton. Payton went away from what was working in the first half: short passes on first down.
The short passing game was another identified key to victory in the Orange & Blue View Podcast's pre-game show and had the Broncos stuck with it, the outcome would have been different, as the Raiders had no answer for it. Wilson was spectacular in the first half but ended the game with relatively paltry numbers due to Payton calling run after run on first down for little yardage.
The Raiders’ pass rush was solid in obvious passing situations and hurried Wilson. When the Broncos went away from the short passing game that had been neutralizing that pass rush, it became a disaster.
The Broncos had a nice mix of first-down short passes and runs on their scoring drives, with the offense typically passing early on and often. On Denver's non-scoring drives, it was all runs on first down.
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