Denver Broncos 20-30 Oakland Raiders
Monday 7 November 2016 09:43, UK
Latavius Murray scored three touchdowns as the Oakland Raiders beat their division rival Denver Broncos 20-30. The Broncos struggled to undo a dominant Oakland defence, and Murray's match-winning performance, coupled with three Janikowski field goals was enough to give the Raiders No 1 spot in the AFC West.
In 140 characters...
Raiders win battle of the west and go top of the division. Murray scored three touchdowns but it was a disappointing night for the Broncos all round.
MVP
Khalil Mack sacked Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian twice, and let the Raiders defence in a commanding display, to show they are a genuine play-off contender.
Game-changer
In the middle of the fourth quarter, Siemian was sacked by defensive end Khalil Mack, who forced a fumble and recovered the ball for Oakland. On the next play, T.J Ward looked to have intercepted back for the Broncos but it was ruled an incomplete pass.
Oakland went on to score their third touchdown, putting the game beyond Denver.
Stat of the night
33 - The Broncos had a total of 33 rushing yards in week nine. Oakland had three different players over that amount, combining for 218 on the night.
The game
The Raiders dominated the first quarter but failed to find the end zone, settling for two close-range field goals. They added a touchdown at the start of the second quarter, Latavius Murray leaping over the offensive line and stretching for the end zone and a one-yard score.
It took the Broncos until their fifth drive to register a first down, Siemian finding Demaryious Thomas for a 23-yard gain. The second-year quarterback went on to lead an 84-yard drive in just over three minutes, finishing with a 34-yard throw to Jordan Norwood, catching at the left hand side of the end zone.
The Raiders responded with another Murray touchdown, after Broncos safety Bradley Roby conceded a defensive pass interference penalty that moved Oakland to within a yard of the goal line. Murray forced his way through a crowded goal line, on the way to 114 yards for the night.
Brandon McManus scored a 55-yard field goal for Denver to make it 20-10 at the half, before adding another three point kick at the end of the third quarter.
But it was Oakland who re-established their advantage early in the final period, Janikowski slotting a 35-yard field goal before Murray took advantage of another pass interference penalty to score his third touchdown from close range.
Running back Kapri Bibbs did provide a highlight for Broncos fans, a 69-yard catch and run to score the first touchdown of his career. Denver have struggled to run the ball after losing C.J Anderson to a knee injury, and Bibbs will hope he has given head coach Gary Kubiak something to think about for their week 10 match up against the New Orleans Saints.
The Broncos drop to 6-3, now third in the division, and will hope to receive good news on defensive end Derek Wolfe, who suffered an elbow injury in the third quarter.
Though the stats will say otherwise, it was another impressive performance from third year Derek Carr, who is visibly growing in confidence week on week. The Raiders now lead the AFC West with a 7-2 record, going into their bye week.
