Throughout Russell Wilson\u2019s somber news conference after Denver\u2019s 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, he kept echoing that the team was one or two plays away from winning Sunday\u2019s season opener.<\/p>\n
Yes, Denver\u2019s penalties and defensive miscues down the stretch received most of the criticism. But the offense left points on the board, especially in a critical red zone situation early in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
With 10:19 to go in regulation, running back Samaje Perine bulldozed through the Raiders defense for a 12-yard run to Las Vegas\u2019 8-yard line. Suddenly, Denver stopped running the rock. Wilson\u2019s pass tight end Adam Trautman was short of the goal line. His throw to wide receiver Brandon Johnson was broken up by Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo, who could\u2019ve intercepted the pass.<\/p>\n
Wilson\u2019s third pass attempt didn\u2019t go anywhere, as he soared the ball out of bounds after getting pressured by Maxx Crosby. Denver settled for a 24-yard field goal from kicker Wil Lutz, extending its lead to 16-10 with 8:54 remaining. Clearly, it wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoints are nice, but to be able to get touchdowns is the key,\u201d wide receiver Courtland Sutton said Sunday after the game. \u201cWhen you get in the red zone and (are) able to score touchdowns, that\u2019s going to give our defense a little more of a cushion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denver\u2019s decision to abandon the run was puzzling. The Broncos outgained Las Vegas 94-61 on the ground as Perine and running back Javonte Williams were solid on Sunday. Williams, who played in his first regular season game since tearing his ACL last October, rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries. Perine, on the other hand, had 78 total yards, including 41 rushing and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.<\/p>\n
Both running backs are strong and hard to bring down, so why not use their skill set in that situation?<\/p>\n
\u201cI told our team there\u2019ll be some things we like that we see on this film, and other things we have to correct,\u201d head coach Sean Payton said.<\/p>\n
The Raiders handed the Broncos the scoring opportunity on a silver platter, making the drive even more frustrating. Las Vegas quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw an interception to safety Kareem Jackson in the final minutes of the third quarter.<\/p>\n
With 13:41 left in the fourth, Las Vegas linebacker Luke Masterson was penalized for a late hit on Broncos punter Riley Dixon, giving Denver the ball back at the Raiders 42-yard line. Yet, the Broncos didn\u2019t capitalize with a touchdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe might have done some things well, but we didn\u2019t win,\u201d Sutton said. \u201cSo there are things that we have to go in and correct.\u201d<\/p>\n
— Broncos quarterback Pat Surtain II had the upper hand in his third matchup against top Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams. According to Next Gen Stats, Surtain had three pass breakups while holding Adams to two receptions for 11 yards on five targets. Adams drew a pass interference call with Surtain in coverage in the third quarter, but the All-Pro cornerback immediately responded with a pass deflection.<\/p>\n
— Broncos wide receiver Lil\u2019Jordan Humphrey, a practice squad call-up, had a significant role Sunday. Humphrey played 70% of the offensive snaps, second-most among wide receivers. Even though the former Saints wideout was on the field quite a bit, he only had two catches for 11 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
— Denver lost, and it was heartbreaking. But at least the Broncos didn\u2019t allow running back Josh Jacobs to run all over them compared to previous games. Jacobs carried the ball 19 times for 48 yards, the fewest against the Broncos in his career, while averaging 2.5 yards per attempt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we had a good game plan to stop the run,\u201d outside linebacker Randy Gregory said. \u201cWe need to cut down on some of the explosive plays and make plays when we need to.\u201d<\/p>\n
— Penalties, penalties, penalties. Even though Denver\u2019s offense looked sound under Payton, the mental errors were alarming, committing 10 penalties for 83 yards. Denver had three procedure penalties, including an illegal touch on cornerback Tremon Smith during the risky onside kick to start the game, two pass interferences, two holding calls, roughing the passer and two flags for unnecessary roughness. Four of Denver\u2019s penalties resulted in first downs for Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you watch them all, there are two or three (penalties) that you’re not going to lose sleep over relative to what your players are doing,\u201d Payton said. \u201cBut being smart and understanding how the game is being officiated relative to personal fouls or roughing falls on us. It’s something we got to be better at.\u201d<\/p>\n
— Broncos inside linebacker Drew Sanders didn\u2019t play any defensive snaps and was used solely for special teams during his regular season debut. Payton said the coaching staff has faith in Sanders. But they have to find packages to get him involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ll constantly look at our personnel and (find) ways guys can help us,\u201d Payton said. \u201cIt\u2019s not a trust issue.\u201d<\/p>\n