Broncos 34-18 Raiders (Oct. 6, 2024) Game Recap

DENVER — As Pat Surtain II was about to sign his colossal contract extension that briefly made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, coach Sean Payton said he wanted to see more from his superstar.

As in more takeaways.

Surtain threw two interceptions in the Denver Broncos' 34-18 win over the injury-plagued Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

He returned the first touchdown for a 100-yard touchdown that erased an early 10-0 deficit, and his second touchdown provided another touchdown as the Broncos (3-2) beat the Raiders (2-2) for eight games. 3) went into a skid.

“It didn’t start well,” Denver coach Sean Payton said, “but we recovered.”

Especially thanks to Surtain's big day.

It started with a jersey swap with Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, who attended the Broncos' alumni weekend and throwback celebrations honoring the franchise's first Super Bowl team in 1977, led by the Hall-of Class of 2024 fame linebacker and Orange Crush senior Randy Gradishar.

“That jersey swap was legendary,” Surtain said. “This is something I’ve always wanted to have in my inventory.”

Along with a game like this.

Not only were the signage, the field and the scoreboards decorated with retro motifs, but also Denver's strong defense, which held the Raiders to a lead of just 5 yards after halftime.

The Raiders scored on Brock Bowers' 57-yard touchdown catch and Daniel Carlson's 40-yard field goal and were threatening to take a 17-3 lead when Gardner Minshew completed his first nine passes for 115 yards completed, first rolled to the left -and-goal from the 5 and had Bowers open.

His throw flew over Bowers' head and Surtain caught it at his own goal line and flew away down the Denver sideline.

The only Raider who had a chance to prevent the turnaround touchdown was Minshew, but he was knocked down 35 yards down by rookie linebacker Jonah Ellis and Surtain trotted into the end zone with the ball held high.

“I caught the ball and saw a full patch of green grass,” Surtain said, “and I thought, 'Yeah, that's a touchdown.'”

However, his heart sank when he turned around in the end zone and saw a flag.

“I was worried. I was afraid. And I was tired,” said Surtain, whose concerns were quickly allayed when the referee ruled there was no foul in the return leg.

“It definitely changed the game,” Minshew said. “And of course I can’t do that to our team, put us in a bad position. That momentum was definitely going my way.”

Rookie Bo Nix, who eked out a win over the Jets despite throwing for just 60 yards, had a breakout performance with two TD throws after entering the game with just one. He also went for a score as Denver scored 34 unanswered points.

Nix completed passes to a franchise-record 11 players and finished 19 of 27 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, helping the Broncos secure their first victory over the Raiders since December 29, 2019.

First-year starter Riley Moss also intercepted Minshew. His first career interception came a week after his first career fumble recovery and two weeks after the first forced fumble of his two years as a pro.

That also ended Minshew's day.

He was replaced by Aidan O'Connell, with Las Vegas trailing 20-10. Minshew, who was without superstar Davante Adams (hamstring) for the second straight week, finished 12 of 17 games for 137 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and two sacks after completing his first nine passes for 115 yards.

His tenth ball went 100 yards the other way, the second-longest interception return in team history, trailing only Aqib Talib's 103 yards against Dallas in 2017.

“It was definitely a big swing,” said Raiders star defender Maxx Crosby, who had a pair of sacks despite a tender ankle. “As a defense, as a unit, we talked about being the engine. That is why we must be able to react regardless of the situation. But yeah, we weren't good enough. We will be better.”

O'Connell completed 10 of 20 yards for 94 yards and an interception. Surtain intercepted O'Connell's first pass of his second series and gave the ball back to Nix at the Las Vegas 39 just after the rookie quarterback's 1-yard keeper made it 27-10, and Nix promptly hit Josh Reynolds for one 9-yard score.

“We have short fields,” Nix said, crediting Denver’s defense on a day when the Broncos’ offense converted just three of 12 third downs.

Angry Vegas

Adams was among five injured Raiders who sat out this game, and the Raiders' offense may have a harder time breaking out of its slump since Adams made it clear this week that he would rather play for another organization.

Off the hook

The Broncos took a 13-10 halftime lead on a 44-yard field goal by Wil Lutz with no time left. It was a replay after he flew past the left wing from 59 meters. But Janarius Robinson, the Raiders' defensive end, was whistled for a personal foul from 15 yards for jumping over the snapper, allowing Lutz a second attempt.

Injuries

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins also got a sack but sat out the second half with a foot injury. … Broncos C Matt Wattenberg left in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury. … RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) was replaced by Matt Peart in the second half. Palczewski started in place of Mike McGlinchey (knee).

Next

Raiders: Host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Broncos: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

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