Recap: Denver defense, Chris Harris boost Broncos to 16-10 win over Raiders

Rivalries are usually rough games. Not easy cakewalks, despite the differential in talent.

The Oakland Raiders fought the Denver Broncos tooth and nail Sunday afternoon in the Bay Area, with the “Black Hole” getting as raucous as pirates on the high seas. But all those fans went from cheering early to booing in the end as the Broncos won the game 16-10.

Denver’s offense was still inefficient – especially in the ground game with only 43 yards rushing – but the defense bailed them out once again, as Chris Harris Jr. returned a Derek Carr pass 75 yards to the end zone in the fourth quarter.

To start off, Oakland moved the ball on the Broncos’ No. 1 defense in the NFL on their second drive of the game, but then Malik “The Freak” Jackson sacked Carr which forced a field goal attempt. Sebastian Janikowski was blocked and Denver answered with a field goal of their own, which was made for the 3-0 lead. The Raiders took 7-3 the lead on a play-action pass from Carr to Marcel Reece. But then, after Manning pushed the Broncos into the Oakland redzone, he was picked off by Charles Woodson in the end zone.

In the second half, Von Miller was a monster when he stole the ball out of Carr’s hands like a panther steals a baby gazelle from its mother in the wild. That sack turned into a field goal. And then the Broncos kicked another field goal – this one from 53 yards out – and took the 9-7 lead. Then, after an exchange of punts and another Woodson interception of Manning, Harris picked off Carr and went 75 yards to the house. Denver went ahead 16-7 until Janikowski booted a field goal to bring it to the eventual 16-10 score.

STARS OF THE GAME

Harris, with his three total tackles and the 75-yard pick-six, is Denver’s first star of the game.

Brandon McManus deserves recognition as well, going 3-3 on field goals and 1-1 on extra points. He’s now 12-12 on field goals and 11-11 on XPs on the season.

Finally, Emmanuel Sanders lit up the field for nine catches for 111 yards, taking hits like he always does and jumping back up for more.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Von Miller’s sack of Derek Carr is no doubt the play of the game. He ran around the tackle like he always does and hit Carr but simultaneously stole the football, too. Miller is a monster, a lovable monster for Broncos fans. A menacing one for opponents.

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TURNING POINT

The Raiders were driving late in the game, mid-way through the fourth quarter, when Chris Harris Jr. jumped in and stole the ball, then took it to the house 75 yards. That pick-six was superb, sensational, the play which won the Broncos the game.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Broncos took the ball into Oakland territory six times and came away with only three field goals.

However, the positive takeaway from that statistic is that Brandon McManus went 3-3 on field goals for the day and he led the Broncos to a 16-7 victory.

Charles Woodson has an interception in 3 straight games for the 3rd time in his career (also did it in 2006 and 2007)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 11, 2015

That first pick was Woodson’s first of Manning.

Chris Harris earned his second interception of the season, picking off Derek Carr and taking the ball to the house. That 75-yard pick-six was sensational and pushed the Broncos lead to 16-7 with only 6:53 to play.

The Broncos ran for a mere 43 yards on the day. They have to somehow, some way find more success and more balance on the ground to be as successful as they want to be and win the Super Bowl.

Defensively, Denver enjoyed four sacks of Carr, two forced fumbles and one interception. Denver’s D also only allowed 65 rushing yards from the Raiders, who average 96.3 yards per game running.

The Broncos also had six penaltes for 103 yards, far too many. That pass interference in the fourth quarter was nearly devastating, as it allowed the Raiders to kick a field goal and pull it to within 16-10, a one-score game. Discipline is important for Denver; they must find it through watching film and coaching.

LASTING IMPACT

This win was the Broncos 14^th straight against AFC West opponents on the road, which re-established their NFL record. At 5-0, they’ve separated from the 2-3 Raiders and the 1-4 Kansas City Chiefs. The San Diego Chargers (2-2) play tomorrow night.

DeMarcus Ware was injured, his back “Locked up on him,” as head coach Gary Kubiak said following the win. That’s a bad sign for a 33-year old defensive end. Denver’s depth at the pass-rushing position, with Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett, is solid. But the Broncos are no doubt hoping they will have Ware back and ready to go soon.

WHAT’S NEXT

Next Sunday, the Broncos travel to Cleveland to face the 2-3 Browns. Those Browns beat the rival Baltimore Ravens 33-30 in overtime Sunday and will be looking for their second straight win. Cleveland quarterback Josh McCown threw for a wild 457 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while he ran for a score as well.

Denver can’t overlook the Browns and get excited for the bye week or they’ll lose in Cleveland.