Raiders pull out nail biter against rival Broncos

After over seven months it's finally time for football and the Raiders opened up against their hated rivals the Denver Broncos. As of recently the Raiders just love playing the Denver Broncos as Sunday marked their seventh win in the row against their division rivals, winning 17-16. The storylines in the game were in full effect and some offseason questions were answered a bit in this game.

For the Raiders how would Jimmy Garropolo fare in his first game in the silver and black? Jimmy G had an efficient game. Garropolo went 20/26 200 yards 2 tds and 1 int he led the Raiders down the field for an impressive game winning drive. Garropolo and first year Raiders WR and former Patriot WR Jakobi Meyers had a great connection hauling in 9 catches for 81 yards with 2 TDs. Meyers would later be carted off with what looked to be a serious concussion. The Raiders will really need him going forward. Another storyline for the Raiders was what their defense would look like especially after the odd situation that happened with Chandler Jones this week. The Raiders were able to force two sacks, one by Maxx Crosby and hold Denver to 16.

The big storyline for the Broncos was how Russell Wilson would look with Sean Payton as his coach? Wilson was able to sustain some long drives. He did some good things; he went 27/34 177 yards and 2 TDs Broncos WRs were very banged up coming into Sunday. Jerry Jeudy didn’t play in the game and his young TE Greg Dulich got hurt mid game so the timing with Wilson and his weapons were a bit off at times and Raiders were able to apply some pressure on Wilson. However, it’s still a long season. A key moment in the game was Broncos new kicker Will Lutz missing an extra point which would have made the game 17-17 instead of 17-16.

Both teams play next Sunday as the Raiders travel to Buffalo to play the Bills and Broncos stay at home as they welcome the Washington Commanders.