Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Denver Broncos offense struggled to get things going early. On Sunday night against the Oakland Raiders, though, they took it to an all new level. Despite one of the worst offensive performances of the half, the Broncos trailed Oakland 20-10 at halftime.
Denver went three-and-out on five of seven possessions in the half and didn’t covert a first down until the 10:34 mark of the second quarter.
Trevor Siemian and the offense generated just 97 yards before their final possession of the half, with 84 of them coming on a touchdown drive in the second quarter to cut Oakland’s lead to 13-7 at the time. Two plays accounted for 59 of those yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Norwood.
Emmanuel Sanders nearly made a spectacular catch at the goal line with under 20 seconds to play in the half, but the ball just barely touched the ground as Sanders came down in full extension. Brandon McManus connected on 55-yard field goal to halve the margin at halftime.
The Denver defense, meanwhile, continued to bend but not break, allowing field goals on Oakland’s opening two drives. The Raiders started at their 48- and 42-yard lines on those drives. They eventually gave way and yielded two rushing touchdowns to Latavius Murray. Denver struggled to contain the third-year back; Murray ended the half with 76 yards on the ground and a 13-yard reception.
It was hard to completely blame the defense, though. They were on the field by a nearly 2:1 margin in the half, 19:30 to 10:30. Oakland dominated time of possession in the first quarter 12:07 to 2:46.
Take a look at some of the observations below for just how poorly the Denver offense performed in the first half.
Broncos opening drive: Pass, pass, pass and out. (They don't need no stinkin running game.)
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 7, 2016
The highest percentage of three-and-outs in the NFL, but I'm wrong about the QB? Give me a break. #broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 7, 2016
Somebody just asked me, "do the Broncos have a good run game?" My answer: "I don't know. Haven't seen it in a while…" Pass, pass, pass.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) November 7, 2016
Kubiak's script has its troubles lately.
First drive used to be automatic —#Broncos
— Benny Bash🎧 (@TheBennyBash) November 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/795442420162985984
Short of the sticks. Again. Three and out. Again. Fun offense. #Siemian #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 7, 2016
#Broncos: 3 drives, 9 yards. Should we stop calling them "drives"? Let's just go with "appearances"
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) November 7, 2016
Another typical #Broncos 1Q. Nothing on offense which puts the D in impossible situations
— Sean Walsh (@seanwalshsports) November 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/795448408676958208
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/795448753738104833
#Broncos trail 13-0. They have been outgained 146 yards to 9. #Broncos don't have first down. #Raiders have 10 and have scored on all drives
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 7, 2016
The Raiders have more points (13) than the Broncos have plays run (10).
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 7, 2016
It's the ENTIRE offense. It's the play calling. It's the line. It's the QB. It's a mess right now. Throw it past the sticks!
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 7, 2016
ouch! First time the #Broncos have started a game with 4-straight 3-and-outs since 2011… #TebowDays
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) November 7, 2016
3rd & 10. 3rd & 13. 3rd & 7. 3rd & 5. At least they are getting shorter over the last 3 possessions!
— Brian Billick (@CoachBillick) November 7, 2016
Siemian goes three flies up.. and completes improbable pass to Thomas. 23-yard completion … First sign of offensive life. #DENvsOAK
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 7, 2016
#Broncos' first 1st down of #SNF came with 10:34 remaining in the second quarter.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) November 7, 2016
Story of this game to this point: rushing yards. Raiders 124, Broncos 23.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 7, 2016