Let's get to the performances that contributed most to the Raiders' loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Busters
CB DeCamerion Richardson
It seemed like whenever the Broncos needed a big play, they looked to whoever Richardson was guarding. The second score of the game came when Richardson returned a 24-yard catch. Their third score was thanks to Richardson not passing the ball and being called for pass interference.
The fourth quarter was led by another Broncos field goal, made possible when Richardson gave up an 18-yard catch on third-and-10. On the next drive, Richardson gave up the touchdown catch and the score was 26:16. The Raiders couldn't catch up after that.
QB Gardner Minshew
Minshew had some nice throws in this game. But in the end, the bad plays far outweighed the good.
He fumbled on the first snap of the game, which wasn't a good sign. That first drive would end with him missing Brock Bowers' target on third-and-3. A three-pointer followed on the second possession.
Three consecutive shots on goal in the second quarter made things very interesting. And if things had continued that way, Minshew certainly would have been a baller for this game. But as is often the case, the third time comes and the good feeling disappears.
Four possessions for the Raiders in the third went like this: three-pointer with a batted pass at the line in the third, Minshew ran into a sack and then was picked off, leading to a Broncos touchdown, leading to a five-possession finish with an incomplete throw from Minshew to a well-covered Brock Bowers and a three-point final with a low pass into the grass.
When the Raiders got the ball in the fourth quarter, the Bronocs had a six-point lead. They scored two more times but couldn't make more than one field goal, which wasn't enough. Then Minshew was tackled on a rollout, breaking his collarbone and being lost for the season. To be clear, I don't blame him for breaking his collarbone. I'm just describing that it happened.
LT Kolton Miller, RT DJ Glaze
A holding penalty on Glaze prevented the Raiders from scoring their second score after driving to the 11-yard line.
The Raiders still led 13-9 in the third quarter. But on their second possession, both Miller and Glaze relinquished pressure from both sides, resulting in Minshew's pass being intercepted and intercepted. The Broncos got the ball at the Vegas 18-yard line and scored the TD two plays later to take a 16-13 lead.
Near the end of the game, with the score at 26-19, the Raiders still had the ball. Minshew was ejected from the game and two plays after Desmond Ridder came on, Miller gave up a strip sack, the Broncos recovered and added a field goal to decide the game.
