The struggling Raiders are facing drama, issues within the team, and now a tough loss against the Denver Broncos, a team they had dominated since moving to Las Vegas in 2020. It all started off well but quickly turned disastrous.
Gardner Minshew threw a game-changing pick-six in the second quarter and was later benched. The Raiders also committed 11 penalties, which contributed to their eight-game winning streak over the Broncos ending in a 34-18 defeat.
“I don’t think there are any positives when you lose,” said Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, whose quarterbacks combined for three interceptions. Now it’s time for the Raiders (2-3) to reassess their situation as many questions loom over them.
There’s also the issue with Davante Adams, the star receiver who missed Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury. He is not only injured but reportedly on the trading block.
The Raiders have allegedly talked to several teams since early last week when Adams expressed a desire to play elsewhere.
Las Vegas welcomed back pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who had been recovering from an ankle sprain. He recorded two sacks against rookie QB Bo Nix, who threw for 206 yards and two touchdown passes. “I could have 10 sacks and we lose, I’m not going to be happy,” Crosby said. “It sucks.”
Things began positively for Minshew and the Raiders as they took a 10-0 lead. They were close to extending it to 17-3 in the second quarter after driving to the Denver 5-yard line. Minshew rolled out but overthrew his target, tight end Brock Bowers.
The pass ended up in the hands of Pat Surtain II, who ran 100 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, the score was tied at 10-10.
“I killed our momentum with the pick-six,” said Minshew, who passed for 137 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions before being taken out. “I didn’t even do a good enough job of giving us a shot to be competitive in the game. That’s on me.”
Surtain’s interception allowed the Broncos (3-2) to beat the Raiders for the first time since December 29, 2019. That was also the last game for the Oakland Raiders before they moved to Las Vegas.
Minshew’s performance may have opened the door for Aidan O’Connell, who came in late in the third quarter when the team was trailing 20-10. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 94 yards and one interception (also by Surtain).
Pierce avoided saying whether O’Connell might start next weekend when the injury-plagued Raiders host Pittsburgh, only saying, “I don’t know.”
He was concerned about the penalties, though—11 for 79 yards. One penalty was called on Janarius Robinson with no time left in the first half for using “leverage” during a 59-yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz.
Even though the kick went wide left, Lutz got another chance because of the penalty and successfully kicked a 44-yarder to give Denver a 13-10 lead at halftime.
“Two of the things we talk about that we cannot do on the road—turn the football over and (commit) penalties,” Pierce said. “Those two things we led by a large margin and that’s not good.”
A resolution with Adams might be coming soon. Adams mentioned on his weekly segment on the “Up and Adams Show” that he hadn’t heard from Pierce since a screenshot showed Pierce apparently liking a social media post about possibly trading the receiver.
Just another drama-filled week for the Raiders.
“You think I’m not used to this (stuff) going on?” Crosby said. “I’ve dealt with it my whole career. It is what it is. Davante is my boy. I love Davante, and he’s going to do what he’s going to do. Praying for him, wish him the best.
“But we’re focused on the Raiders, we’re focused on who’s here now, and we’re focused on winning. Got to find ways to do that.”
