Week 6 Game Recap: Oakland Raiders 3, Denver Broncos 13

What you need to know

Oakland Raiders

Oakland is the last winless team in the league in 2006, falling to the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. The game was an ugly one, highlighted by Oakland’s 13 penalties for 95 yards. The Raiders’ running game was shut down, and their few forays into deep Denver territory resulted in turnovers. Their lone score of the game came on a 47 yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski midway through the third quarter.

Second string quarterback Andrew Walter continues to play with starter Aaron Brooks out with an injured chest / shoulder. Walter didn’t play particularly well: he only completed half of his passes for 189 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He targeted Randy Moss more frequently than any other receiving option. Moss had the best numbers of any receiver, gaining 86 yards on five receptions.

Running back LaMont Jordan was the Raiders’ offensive workhorse, but only in terms of carries. He struggled for 60 yards on 23 carries, and fumbled the ball away to Denver late in the game when Oakland still had some hope of getting back in it.

The Oakland defense played admirably, managing to contain the Broncos’ running game and only giving up 102 yards through the air. They only allowed one score, a Tatum Bell run, and otherwise were very stout.

Denver Broncos

Denver won this game with a strong defensive effort, especially when Oakland was in scoring range. Cornerback Champ Bailey’s interception and defensive end Michael Myers fumble recovery were turnovers that occurred when Oakland was driving the ball and threatening to score. These timely turnovers, combined with an outstanding effort against the Raiders’ running game, allowed the Broncos to walk away with a 13 to three victory.

Jake Plummer had a statistically weak night, finishing with only 102 yards passing with no touchdowns or interceptions. Plummer continues to be kept in check through Mike Shanahan’s game plan and play calling, and was successful in that regard by failing to commit a turnover. He also contributed 30 yards on the ground.

Running back Tatum Bell was the Broncos’ primary offensive weapon, gaining 83 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. His rushing success led to long drives in the first half, although he seemed to wear down a bit as the game progressed. Javon Walker had the best game of any Broncos’ receiver, earning 75 yards on four receptions.

Kicker Jason Elam was good on both of his field goal attempts—from 51 and 22 yards.

The Denver defense forced two turnovers, sacked Andrew Walter four times, and only allowed three points. The Broncos’ offense wasn’t very good, but with the exceptional play of their defense, good offense isn’t required.

What you ought to know

QB Andrew Walter, Pass: 13 - 26 - 189 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Walter completed half of his passes finishing with 189 yards and no touchdowns. Walter’s lone interception came in the first half when he threw for Randy Moss on a corner route deep in Denver territory. Denver cornerback Champ Bailey read the pass the whole way and made the interception at the Denver one yard line. Walter was harassed by the Broncos’ pass rush throughout the game, getting sacked four times and delivering a few throw away passes to avoid others. He favored Moss as his primary target, sending his number one wide receiver more than twice as many passes as any other Oakland player.

RB LaMont Jordan, Rush: 23 - 60 - 0, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (2 targets)

Jordan didn’t have much room to run, as the Denver defense seemed to consistently tackle him near or behind the line of scrimmage. He did find some bigger holes in the second half, but overall had a subpar game. Jordan’s second pass target was a game changer---he fumbled the ball when hit by Denver linebacker Ian Gold, and the Broncos recovered the ball. The turnover sealed Denver’s victory. He was shown frequently at the end of the game, as he showed his obvious frustration with himself on the team sideline.

RB Justin Fargas, Rush: 3 - 11 - 0

Fargas had three carries early in the game in relief of starter LaMont Jordan. He was out of uniform with his left arm in a sling during the second half with an undisclosed injury.

RB ReShard Lee, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Lee saw one carry in the second half, and only because second string running back Justin Fargas was out with an injury.

RB Zack Crockett, Rush: 1 - 10 - 0

Crockett, the Raiders’ fullback, gained ten yards and a first down on his only carry of the game.

WR Randy Moss, Rec: 5 - 86 - 0 (12 targets)

Moss saw the most targets by any Raiders’ receiver by far. He was frequently targeted on deep passes, as the Raiders clearly wanted to get his game breaking skills involved in the game. Moss caught a 51 yard pass from Andrew Walter but another deep target on the same drive resulted in a Champ Bailey interception. He was shown at one point in the second quarter yelling in the offensive huddle, attempting to fire up his teammates. Moss led the Raiders in receptions and receiving yards.

WR Alvis Whitted, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (5 targets)

Whitted gained all his yards in the second half, including four rushing yards on an end around.

WR Ronald Curry (1 targets)

Curry’s only target came in the second half, and was a poorly thrown pass that was behind him.

TE Courtney Anderson, Rec: 3 - 56 - 0 (4 targets)

Anderson was the second-leading receiver for Oakland. All three of his catches went for first downs. Additionally, he was flagged with one of Oakland’s eight false start penalties.

TE John Madsen, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (2 targets)

Madsen had one catch for five yards on his two targets.

PK Sebastian Janikowski 1 - 2 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points

Janikowski missed a 54 yard field goal wide right in the first quarter. He made a 47 yard field goal in the third quarter, the end result of a Broncos’ turnover.

OAK Rush Defense

Oakland’s rush defense gave up 143 yards on 31 carries for a 4.6 yards per carry average. They were tougher on running back Tatum Bell than they were to quarterback Jake Plummer and wide receiver Javon Walker, who both had big runs. Oakland game up a two yard touchdown run to Tatum Bell. The rush defense grew stouter as the game went on, and didn’t allow many first downs or big gains in the second half, which kept the Raiders in the game.

OAK Pass Defense

Oakland’s pass defense wasn’t really tested, but they still played well and didn’t give up much yardage. They allowed no touchdowns, but also didn’t intercept any of Jake Plummer’s passes. They had to consider it a success to only allow 102 passing yards, and they managed two sacks.

QB Jake Plummer, Pass: 11 - 18 - 102 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 6 - 30 - 0

Plummer finished the game without a single turnover. He only threw 18 passes and completed 61% of them. Plummer’s favorite targets were Javon Walker and Tatum Bell, who had six and five targets, respectively. He only had 102 yards passing, but contributed 30 yards on six rushes, although those numbers are a bit skewed by the two kneel downs he took at the end of the game. Plummer managed the game for the Broncos’, and while he certainly didn’t have a good statistical game, he led his team to a win.

RB Tatum Bell, Rush: 23 - 83 - 1, Rec: 4 - 11 - 0 (5 targets)

Bell was the Broncos’ workhorse, touching the ball 27 times. His running, especially in the first half, allowed Denver to have some long drives that ate up the clock. Bell scored a two yard touchdown run in the first quarter---it was the first time the Broncos have scored in the first quarter all season. He was also targeted frequently as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but a few of these went for losses. Bell’s ability to get first downs on the ground, protect the ball, and eat up the clock was a big part of Denver’s win.

RB Cecil Sapp, Rec: 2 - 4 - 0 (3 targets)

Sapp should’ve had catches on all three of his targets. Plummer hit him in the hands for what would have been a touchdown, but he simply dropped the ball and the Broncos had to settle for a Jason Elam field goal.

RB Mike Bell, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0

Bell had one rush in the first quarter when he spelled Tatum Bell for a few plays.

WR Javon Walker, Rush: 1 - 29 - 0, Rec: 4 - 75 - 0 (6 targets)

Walker was the most targeted Broncos’ receiver. His first two targets were deep passes, the second of which he converted for a 54 yard gain that set up Tatum Bell’s touchdown run. Walker also had a 29 yard gain on a reverse.

WR Rod Smith, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (2 targets)

Smith was only targeted twice, the second of which he converted into a 12 yard gain. The catch gave Smith a reception in his 113th consecutive game.

TE Stephen Alexander (1 targets)

Alexander was targeted once, early in the second quarter. The pass was uncatchable.

TE Tony Scheffler (1 targets)

Scheffler’s only target fell incomplete.

PK Jason Elam 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Elam was good on field goals of 51 and 22 yards, and made his only PAT.

DEN Rush Defense

Denver’s rush defense was excellent, allowing only 85 yards on 30 carries; good for 2.8 yards per carry. The defense was all over LaMont Jordan, frequently tackling him at or behind the line of scrimmage.

DEN Pass Defense

Denver’s pass defense gave up some first downs, but in the spirit of their overall defense, they bent but didn’t break. Walters racked up 189 passing yards, but no touchdowns. Cornerback Champ Bailey intercepted Walters at the Denver one yard line, at a time when the Raiders were threatening to score. The pass rush was solid at times, and included more blitzing than in the previous four games. Walters was sacked four times, including two by rookie pass rushing specialist Elvis Dumervil. The pass defense sealed the game when Ian Gold knocked the ball loose from LaMont Jordan, and Michael Myers recovered, giving the Broncos the opportunity to run out the clock.