The Denver Broncos dropped the ball on their biggest season test, knocking off the 0-3 Raiders and ultimately failing to capture the number one spot in the AFC West.
Surprisingly the Broncos got off to a good start, outscoring the Raiders in the first quarter (7-3) but losing the next three. Behind that, Russell Wilson took command of the offense, completing 17/25 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. His best performance in a Broncos uniform to date, Wilson used his legs to extend plays and secure a much need touchdown late in the 4th quarter as the Broncos trailed 23-25.
Defensively the Broncos struggled to contain the run, as Josh Jacobs exploded for 144 yards and two touchdowns. On top of that, LB Randy Gregory left the game with an apparent knee injury. Monday, head coach Nathaniel Hackett reported that Gregory would undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and could miss some playing time. As if things couldn't get worse? Now Short-term IR possibility.
However, on Sunday, the Broncos couldn't buy a rushing yard on the ground, and when they did, the ball somehow ended up in the other team's hands.
Running back Javonte Williams made a costly fumble, which resulted in cornerback Amik Robertson recovering the ball and taking it to the house. Williams suffered a knee injury which an MRI Monday confirmed to be a season-ending torn ACL.
Nathaniel Hackett on the costly injuries
"This is part of football, it's a physical game. We can't deny there's certain things we can't control. As a team, we're going to band together and we're going to step it up and get better. Whoever has the opportunity to go in has to embrace it and be excited for it and play the best they've ever played,"
After he left the field, Gordon was benched in favor of undrafted free agent Mike Boone. At the same time, Russell Wilson finished the night as the Broncos leading rusher with only 29 yards.
Williams 10 Car for 28 yards
Boone 3 Car for 20 yards
Gordon 3 Car for 8 yards
Denver signed running back Latavius Murray off the New Orleans Saints practice squad to help fill the void of an injured Javote Williams. Murray recently made the spotlight as he forced his way into the endzone in London vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
Mistake after mistake, lady luck was not on the Broncos side Sunday, falling 23-32 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Fast forward to Monday, and the Broncos have three days to prepare for Indianapolis Colts.
According to the ESPN power index, Denver is favored by 58.5%
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