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Three Broncos that shined in an ugly loss to the Raiders

Dennis Best Avatar
November 9, 2016
USATSI 9660427 e1478721070187

 

The Denver Broncos went into their first Sunday night game of the season tied for first place in the AFC West—a place they have called home for the past five seasons—and left the black hole of Oakland second to last. The Broncos lost to the now division-leading Raiders 30-20 and are now searching for answers to how to right the ship before this week’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

“We lost the field position battle all night long. Special teams, offensive, got a horrible start, four three-and-outs. Then we made some big plays defensively. We played really good early in the game and then we gave up 220 plus yards rushing,” head coach Gary Kubiak said after the ugly loss. “That’s the team not playing good enough to win, and that’s what I just told the players. We have to improve and get back to work.”

Despite the loss that puts Denver at 6-3 on the season, there are always stars that shine, even in a black hole.

Kapri Bibbs

Kapri Bibbs, a perennial practice squad member, had touched the rock a total of 11 times this season, including only eight rushing attempts for 36 yards. Well, that all changed Sunday night with one quick screen pass.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian found No. 35 on a screen pass and the former Colorado State star did the rest, with some blocking help of course. Bibbs rumbled down the field, following blockers such as Emmanuel Sanders and Michael Schofield for a 69-yard score—the first of his career.

With that one 69-yard catch, Bibbs ended the night leading the Broncos in receiving.

Brandon McManus

Broncos’ kicker Brandon McManus has missed only twice this season.

The long leg for the Orange & Blue attempted two kicks in Sunday’s contest, nailing both, including a shot from 55 yards right before the half. McManus also made a 44-yard chip shot and helped put points on the board for a team that was struggling to do so throughout the evening.

Kickers don’t seem to get the credit they deserve, but McManus is owed a bit of recognition.

Jordan Norwood

In his second season in Orange & Blue, Jordan Norwood finally caught his first touchdown with the team on Sunday in Oakland. Norwood was able to get free from Raiders defenders, finding himself wide open just shy of the end zone, making the catch and falling into paydirt. The 36-yard touchdown marks the second of his young career.

The score looked as if it could be a spark for the Denver offense but it wasn’t enough to get them going.

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