Offense starts hot then fizzles while defense breaks down in second half for Mile High blowout
The Las Vegas Raiders had won eight straight games against the Denver Broncos and hadn’t lost to their division rivals since moving the franchise to Vegas. So, when the Raiders jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead on their first two possessions of the game, it looked like the team would continue that streak.
Gardner Minshew found Brock Bowers for a 57-yard touchdown and Minshew led a methodical 13-play field goal drive to get off to a hot start. To the quarterback’s credit, he also looked sharp for most of the third time Las Vegas had the ball until he threw a momentum-changing 100-yard pick-six.
That ended up being a 14-point swing where the game was tied instead of the Raiders going up two possessions. Denver proceeded to rattle off 34 points that went unanswered until a garbage-time score by the Silver and Black made the scoreboard look prettier.
Minshew threw one more interception and finished the afternoon on the bench as Aidan O’Connell was inserted late in the third quarter. As one might imagine, that hasn’t led to a positive reaction on X/Twitter from Raider Nation…
Bowers has his second touchdown on the game if Minshew throws this on target.
OMG Gardner Minshewpic.twitter.com/yhqVh0wTGU
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 6, 2024
Raiders OC Luke Getsy watching Gardner Minshew waste his masterclass play calling pic.twitter.com/2UgNKoBwC8
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) October 6, 2024
Minshew’s second pick.
We have the first white corner INT of this millennium!!!!! Riley Moss picks Minshew pic.twitter.com/j9kWj9fPRn
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) October 6, 2024
Minshew’s third pick.
Minshew with his third Pick of the day! This one from the sideline no less #nfl
#LVvsDEN pic.twitter.com/JKBqgPAeLm
— Bower’s Evolving Flea Market (@BowerGameCorner) October 6, 2024
To be fair, O’Connell wasn’t impressive in his limited action either.
The Raiders going from Gardner Minshew to Aidan O’Connell pic.twitter.com/YQUJxiNCf0
— MichaelPenisSZN (@MichaelPenixSZN) October 6, 2024
Antonio Pierce wouldn’t say who is starting next week, but it’s hard to see him going back to Minshew after benching Minshew twice in three weeks.
During his post-game press conference, Raiders HC Antonio Pierce declined to name his team’s starting QB for Las Vegas’ Week 6 game vs. the Steelers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2024
Minshew talks about his performance.
“No matter what my role is on the team, I’m gonna help the team anyway I can.”
Raiders QB Gardner Minshew speaks after being benched in a loss to the Broncos.
: By @Sean_Zittel, Vegas Sports Today#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/C21WzPz1jf
— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) October 6, 2024
One highlight for you, this was a great play by Bowers.
Brocktoberrrr #LVvsDEN | FOX pic.twitter.com/7XRLrMldbf
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 6, 2024
Any thoughts on tanking for Shedeur Sanders?
Shedeur SZN pic.twitter.com/b0dKm5i3gl
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) October 6, 2024
There’s an Autumn wind, but it’s feelin’ more like a draft.
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) October 6, 2024
Hard not to say that the Davante Adams situation wasn’t a distraction, but Maxx Crosby brushed it off after the game.
Maxx Crosby on dealing with the Davante Adams situation this week: pic.twitter.com/OSrXK4zqTH
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) October 6, 2024
We’d all like an answer to C-Wood’s question.
“Just trying to figure out why we can’t have nice things…”
— @CharlesWoodson on his frustrations with the Raiders pic.twitter.com/B5BYw8Ivw7
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 6, 2024
#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/p1WbxxKqRc
— Graphk Raider (@GraphkRaider) October 6, 2024
Welp we back to sucking #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/eTzrpdNEwL
— ⭐️SO DOPE CHRIS⭐️ (@ChrisinCali) October 6, 2024
Should Pierce be on the hot seat?
Don’t talk to me about building a team and stability when people out here calling for AP’s head after 5-weeks when it’s clear that the Raiders need a franchise QB. Fire him and no serious football player will want to play here and you might lose Maxx. #RaiderNation #NFL pic.twitter.com/6EbRUXVIla
— Tyesia Hunter (RaiderLady 19) (@TyesiaHunter) October 6, 2024