Raiders at Broncos third quarter recap

The Denver Broncos dominated the third quarter and are up 20-10 over the Las Vegas Raiders to begin the fourth quarter.

The Denver Broncos got the ball to start the second half looking to build on the momentum they stole away from the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter. It all started with that 100-yard pick six from Pat Surtain and they went into halftime up 13-10 after being down by 10 in the first quarter.

A holding call on Garett Bolles that I would attribute to Bo Nix holding onto the ball too long set Denver back to start that first the second half drive. A pitch to Jaleel McLaughlin got 13 of those yards back. After an incompletion, the Broncos faced a third and seven where Maxx Crosby sacked Nix to force a three-and-out.

The Broncos defense continued their frustration of the Raiders offense after that pick six holding Gardner Minshew to 2/6 for 11 yards since. They forced another punt after a Nik Bonitto sack on third and 11. Marvin Mims Jr. took the punt 38 yards to midfield for a huge play to set Denver up with great field position for their next drive.

Javonte Williams started to look like his old self again powering on back to back runs for a 15 yards before Nix hit Lil’Jordan Humphrey on a screen pass for a 27 yard catch and run to the Raiders three yard line. Two plays later, the Broncos faced a third and goal at the three yard line. Nix hit Jaleel McLaughlin on a swing pass where he was able to dive to the pilon for the touchdown and a two score lead.

Broncos 20, Raiders 10.

On the Raiders next drive, Gardner Minshew was sacked by Jonathan Cooper and Jonah Elliss right before throwing it up where Riley Moss was in perfect position to come down with his first career interception.

All this defensive momentum picked things up for the offense as Bo Nix began completing some passes. The offense was able to get across midfield fairly quickly, but a botched snap nearly cost them. Nix was able to fall on it to setup a third and three from the Raiders 46 yard line. Nix went deep to a wide open Troy Franklin who brutally dropped the pass that was put right into the bucket in the end zone.

Denver would punt it away after that brutal drop by the rookie wide receiver.

Aiden O’Connell would come in for the Raiders as the third quarter came to an end. Gardner Minshew was benched.