In their Las Vegas debut, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jakobi Meyers made a significant impact, leading the Raiders to a thrilling 17-16 victory over the Denver Broncos. The game marked Sean Payton’s first appearance as the Broncos’ head coach, but the Raiders extended their winning streak over their AFC West rivals to seven games.
1. Garoppolo and Meyers’ Connection
Jimmy Garoppolo, in his first season with the Raiders, and Jakobi Meyers, newly acquired from New England, exhibited impressive chemistry. The duo connected ten times for 81 yards, including two crucial touchdown passes of 3 and 6 yards.
2. Late-Game Heroics
The second touchdown pass from Garoppolo to Meyers erased Denver’s 16-10 lead with just 6:34 remaining in the game. Their excellent execution in crunch time allowed the Raiders to secure the victory.
3. Defensive Stand
After taking the lead, the Raiders’ defense held Denver to a crucial three-and-out, giving Garoppolo and the offense the opportunity to run out the clock.
4. Special Teams Struggles
Denver faced issues with their special teams, including a costly holding penalty, a mishandled onside kick, and two missed kicks by Wil Lutz, who rejoined Payton from New Orleans. Lutz’s struggles raised questions about Payton’s decision to release veteran kicker Brandon McManus.
5. Wilson’s Promising Performance
Despite the loss, Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson showcased promise, completing 27 of 34 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions. His performance marked a significant improvement compared to the previous season.
6. Javonte Williams’ Return
Running back Javonte Williams made a successful return, accumulating 52 yards on 13 carries in his first game since suffering a knee injury almost a year ago.
7. Injury Updates
Tre’von Moehrig of the Raiders left the game in the third quarter with a thumb injury. The Broncos faced injuries to ILB Justin Strnad (left knee) and Greg Dulcich (knee) during the game.
In summary, the Raiders’ triumphant season opener showcased the promising connection between Garoppolo and Meyers, while the Broncos faced challenges with their special teams. Despite Denver’s efforts, the Raiders prevailed, extending their winning streak against their divisional rivals.
