- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
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- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
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- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Raiders vs. Broncos: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2017 Regular Season
- Updated: January 2, 2017
The defending Super Bowl champions made one final stand this season, and it came at the expense of their division rivals.
The Denver Broncos handled the shorthanded Oakland Raiders on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 24-6. Oakland would have clinched the AFC West and a first-round bye with a victory but was instead overwhelmed without quarterback Derek Carr, who was out with a broken fibula.
Oakland’s loss was welcome news for the Kansas City Chiefs, who in turn won the AFC West and the first-round bye that came with it, thanks to their Sunday victory over the San Diego Chargers.
The Raiders never had much of a chance without their quarterback, and things looked even bleaker after they announced backup Matt McGloin suffered a shoulder injury. They turned things over to Connor Cook, who finished 14-of-21 for 150 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Cook also fumbled twice, one of which he lost.
McGloin was 6-of-11 for 21 yards before his exit.
Quarterback Trevor Siemian led the way for Denver with 206 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while running back Justin Forsett added 90 yards on the ground. Devontae Booker notched 57 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards and two total touchdowns.
The Broncos did their offensive work largely without wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who suffered a left foot injury in the first quarter and was out for the rest of the game, per Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post.
Oakland was fighting an uphill battle from the start without Carr and made things even harder with 13 penalties for 125 yards.
Denver seized the initial momentum on the opening possession and rode it to the win. Booker finished the eight-play, 84-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown rush.
The Broncos defense then set the tone and forced punts on all five of Oakland’s first-half possessions. Brandon McManus hit a chip-shot field goal to give the home team a 10-0 advantage, and it was clear Denver wasn’t backing down against the playoff-bound Raiders:
Wolfe …
