The Denver Broncos quarterback situation came full circle on Sunday, and the result was another Broncos loss. After he lost his starting job — in part — because the Denver offense was shut out for the first time in a quarter century with him at the helm, Trevor Siemian had to mop up a messy performance that nearly produced Denver’s second shutout of the season and their first seven-game losing streak in 50 years.
With a loss at home to Cincinnati last week, Denver matched a six-game losing streak that had not been equalled since 1990. On Sunday, their seventh consecutive loss took them all the way back to 1967 when the team lost nine in a row and the team finished 3-11.
After a memorable (thanks to an on-field fight) yet forgettable first half that saw the Broncos offense produce just 54 yards and two first downs, things didn’t start much better in the second half for second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch. On the opening possession of the half, Lynch was sacked twice and fumbled once. The two sacks doubled Oakland’s total on the day at the time; thankfully, Lynch recovered his own fumble at the Denver 29 or things could have been much, much worse in a game that went wrong in most every way for Lynch. He did convert a first down to Emmanuel Sanders, the lone highlight of the drive.
Oakland added to their 14-0 lead on their first possession of the second half. With Michael Crabtree out because of an ejection and Amari Cooper sidelined because of injury, Derek Carr turned to rarely used receiver Johnny Holton. The two connected twice on the drive, including a 47-yard bomb over Darian Stewart in coverage. The strike set up Carr’s second touchdown pass of the game, a six-yard connection with Jalen Richard to all but ice the game for Oakland with 6:25 remaining in the third quarter.
Denver went three-and-out on the next drive, and Lynch went out for the game after pulling up lame on a third-and-two completion to Sanders that came up just short of a first down. Lynch was not hit on the play, but was ruled out of the game with an ankle injury. Vance Joseph, looking at fourth-and-inches, elected to punt the ball away trailing by three touchdowns.
The Denver defense forced its own three-and-out, giving way to Siemian. The Broncos quarterback carousel had officially gone full circle when Siemian entered the game. Siemian started Denver’s first seven games, leading the team to a 3-1 record before losing three straight and losing the starting job to Brock Osweiler. Denver lost three in a row with Osweiler at the helm, leading to Lynch getting his short-lived chance on Sunday. Lynch had been active for only two games this season after suffering a shoulder injury in the third preseason game.
Siemian’s first drive yielded just one yard on a completion to Sanders and Denver punted from its own eight-yard line.
Carr and the Oakland offense continued to punish a tired Denver defense, which ultimately spent 35:19 on the field Sunday, on the ensuing possession. They punted the ball away, but took 2:28 off the clock and carried a comfortable lead into the fourth quarter on the drive.
Siemian gave Denver just its fourth first down of the game at the 13:59 mark of the fourth quarter when he connected with Virgil Green for 16 yards on second down. Tight end Austin Traylor, in just his second NFL game, picked up 34 yards on a catch and run a couple plays later — Denver’s longest play of the game. Siemian hit Bennie Fowler for another first down as the offense started to pick up steam in Oakland territory. Those two connected again for three yards before Siemian missed on his next two passes. Facing fourth-and-seven, new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and Siemian went for broke. Siemian hit a streaking Cody Latimer in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown to avoid the shutout and perhaps earn Siemian the starting job back for the remainder of the season.
The Broncos attempted an onside kick, which Oakland recovered but could not turn into points. Carr and Marshawn Lynch played ball protection, grinding 4:35 off the clock while gaining 31 yards. The drive stalled out at the Denver 17 before Giorgio Tavecchio missed his only field goal try of the game — a 35-yard attempt.
Siemian had just 5:42 to try and make up 14 points. The Denver offense picked up back-to-back third downs thanks to catches of five and 11 yards by Demaryius Thomas and Jamaal Charles, respectively, before Khalil Mack notched his first sack of the game. (Oakland had five on the day.) A pass interference call on the next play gave Denver an automatic first down inside Raiders territory. Siemian had Latimer open deep down the near sideline on the resulting play, but Latimer failed to come back to the ball and Siemian carried the ball too far out of bounds. They connected on the next snap for eight yards on the opposite sideline, however. Latimer was again on the receiving end of things on the very next play, although the ball should have been intercepted by Karl Joseph who had it go right through his hands, and Denver continued to march. Siemian looked to the end zone on the very next play, but it wasn’t Latimer this time. With 2:39 on the clock, Siemian hit a streaking Fowler for a 22-yard strike that suddenly made it a one-score game.
After kicking the ball deep, the Denver defense nearly gave the offense what it needed. Vance Joseph used a quick timeout after the defense wrapped up Lynch four yards in the backfield on first down. Denver used it’s final timeout on second down after Lynch churned out six yards to set up third-and-eight. But a cool and collected Carr iced Denver’s chances when he floated a perfectly placed pass to Cordarrelle Patterson to convert the first down. Patterson picked up big yards after the catch as Denver desperately tried to pry the ball loose rather than take him down as the clock neared the 2:00 warning.
With the Broncos out of timeouts, Oakland went into victory formation to seal the historic loss for Denver.
As always, the team at Mile High Sports was all over the action as it unfolded in the second half. Here’s what they were saying, along with input from some of our favorite follows…
Siemian and Lynch getting loose. Lynch not playing well. If they don't trust Lynch to pass with team trailing, will Siemian get a look? #Broncos #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 26, 2017
Derek Carr goes deep to Johnny Holton for the second time this season vs. the Broncos. Raiders all but ice it with a TD on the following play.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) November 26, 2017
The Raiders are moving the ball easily without their top two wide receivers and their starting left guard.
21-0.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) November 26, 2017
Make it 21-0. Never again will I️ say it can’t get worse this season… because it keeps getting worse! #9sports
— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) November 26, 2017
#Broncos trail 20-0… Same song, different verse…. Not sure what's worse, Oakland offense getting fat or Denver's offense looking absolutely inept vs. one of league's worst defense. You can argue amongst yourselves. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 26, 2017
Broncos trail Oakland 21-0 midway thru 3Q. I’m getting paid to watch this joke of a game. What’s your excuse?
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 26, 2017
Paxton Lynch is 7-of-12 for 35 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. Vs. the NFL's worst defense. It's more than halfway through the third quarter.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) November 26, 2017
Paxton Lynch goes to the ground after roll out and completion. #4Broncos.
— Steve Cox (@SteveCoxDenver) November 26, 2017
Lynch favoring his right leg. Trevor Siemian warming up. #4Broncos https://t.co/Py7TaOy7Sf
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/MileHighCape/status/934928457615671296
Vance Joseph just punted on 4th and inches down 21-0. My goodness.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) November 26, 2017
Injury update for the Broncos: QB Paxton Lynch is out for the game with an ankle injury.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) November 26, 2017
Damn Paxton crying on the sideline. The kid wants to play. He may not be good at it, but he wanted it.
— RG 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/934931285210030080
Not suggesting #Broncos Siemian is the answer because he isn't… But a little perspective on Lynch…
Siemian has more passing yards right now that the entire offense had in the opening 3 quarters….
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 26, 2017
Touchdown.
Cody Latimer.
Good ball from Trevor and Cody went up and made the play.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) November 27, 2017
Siemian deserves credit. Not my favorite, but that was the real deal. Problem is it's too little too late. Broncos about to lose their 7th in a row.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) November 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/TJCarpenterShow/status/934936120357421056
The Broncos aren’t dead yet. After the Raiders miss a FG it remains a two score game. #4Broncos
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) November 27, 2017
Trevor Siemian takes over and guides to the Broncos to a pair of scoring drives
First: 10 plays, 93 yds, 3:48 — 25-yard TD pass to Latimer
Second: 12 plays, 60 yards, 3:07 — 22-yard TD pass to Fowler— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 27, 2017
Sooooooooooooooooooo
The old #Broncos defense would usually get a turnover here…
— Ron (@RonnieKRadio) November 27, 2017
All out blitz leaving a corner who hasn’t seen the field all year 1on1? #loss #Broncos #waitingalldayforsundaynight
— Ryan Harris (@RyanHarris_68) November 27, 2017