NFL 2013 Week 3 Recap
Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles—Despite trying to focus on the players, this game was about the return of Walrus Lite Andy Reid. Philly fans once booed Santa Clause, and Thursday night was about tormenting Santa’s twin. Yet the Eagles fans showed class before the game by giving Reid a loud friendly ovation. They also cheered at halftime when Donovan McNabb had his #5 jersey retired by the team. In between those two events there was little for the Philly faithful to cheer about.
Reid was a Happy tusked fella when the opening kickoff was returned by the Chiefs 58 yards. The Chiefs wasted the opportunity but the Eagles fumbled the punt, giving Kansas City 1st and goal. Again the offense malfunctioned, but a 33 yard Ryan Succop field goal make it 3-0 Chiefs early on. Michael Vick then threw a pass that was deflected and intercepted for a short touchdown as the Chiefs quickly led 10-0.
Vick was a running phenom before his career was derailed, but he showed a flash of why he was known as Superman early in his career. He took a draw play himself 61 yards. On the next play he took a shot, but not before lofting a 25 yard touchdown pass. Chip Kelly went for a surprise 2 point conversion, but that did not work as the Eagles trailed 10-6 in a game where both coaches were pulling out all the stops early and often.
One play after Vick ran for 24 yards, the Eagles fumbled a shotgun snap. Then the Chiefs took their turn when Succop missed a 51 yard field goal. Kansas City got it back and a short pass from Alex Smith to Avery went for 51 yards, setting up a 31 yard successful kick from Succop and a 13-6 Chiefs lead. Vick responded by throwing another interception as Succop hit from 34 to put the Chiefs up 16-6 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half.
After four turnovers in the first half, the second half began with a fumbled snap out of the shotgun, although Philly retained possession. Philly again avoided a fifth turnover when another interception of Vick was negated by illegal contact. Another field goal had the Eagles within 16-9. Philadelphia got it back, and another completed Vick bomb led to a missed field goal.
With a short field, Kansas City created some daylight early in the fourth quarter when Jamal Charles ran it in from 3 yards out to make it 23-9 Chiefs with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Yet one minute later Lesean McCoy broke free for a 41 yard touchdown run as the Eagles were right back in the game down 23-16.
The Chiefs fumbled the ensuing kickoff and took over at their own 5 yard line. Smith led an eight minute dink and dunk drive that actually included some running plays. Succup hit his fourth field goal from 38 yards out to give the Chiefs some breathing room with a 10 point cushion with 3 1/2 minutes to play. A sack of Vick caused another fumble that the Chiefs recovered to lock up the win as Reid’s tusks beamed. 26-16 Chiefs
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens — For the second week in a row the Ravens trailed 6-0. Last week they trailed Cleveland by that amount before rallying to win 14-6. Now it is Houston with a pair of field goals. All the talk in the offseason was the Ravens defense and the losses of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. The problem with Baltimore is their offense. Losing Anquon Boldin hurt. Offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell is so concerned he is on the verge of making a facial expression. Bullock hit the 27 and 29 yarders to give the Texans lead.
Yet the Ravens are about defense. After Justin Tucker hit a 28 yarded to get the Ravens on the board, Smith intercepted Matt Schaub for a 37 yard return touchdown as the Ravens took the lead. Then special teams got in the act as Doss returned a punt 82 yards for another score to put the Ravens firmly in command 17-6.
Houston would add a third field goal before the half, but Joe Flacco then led the Ravens 80 yards in the third quarter. Pierce ran it in from the one to make it 24-9 Ravens, which should be a familiar score for these teams that haunts the Texans from their playoff loss to the Ravens. Tucker added two more field goals from 45 and 43 as the Ravens shook off their sluggish start. 30-9 Ravens
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers — This game was a shocker. Both teams were 0-2, although the Giants were expected to rebound while Carolina had a pair of agonizing losses that were decided at the end. Yet this was one of this unexplainable Any Given Sunday games.
Carolina simply throttled the Giants. Eli Manning was sacked 6 times in the first half alone and the Giants had only 18 yards by halftime. Captain Grumpy Tom Coughlin was ready to fire all 45 players by halftime. Mike Tolbert began the route with a 2 yard touchdown run early on. In the second quarter Graham Gano nailed a 53 yard field goal and Cam Newton Hit Brad Lafell for a 16 yard score as the Panthers led 17-0 at halftime.
Newton loves doing the Superman pose, but on this day he was. He went back to LaFell for a 20 yard touchdown in the third quarter and then ran for a 3 yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter he hit Ted Ginn for a 47 yarded as the Panthers walloped the Giants in an absolute shocker. Carolina got in the win column while the 0-3 Giants have Coughlin searching for answers. Congratulations to Panthers coach Ron Rivera for his great present during Hispanic Heritage Month. 38-0 Panthers
Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins — The Lions had never beaten the Redskins in Washington, going 0 for 21 during their history. Matthew Stafford began by throwing a completion to Deangelo Hall, who plays defense for Washington. Hall returned the gift 17 yards for a touchdown and the 7-0 Redskins lead. Detroit came back with an 85 yard drive and Bell ran it in from 12 yards out to tie the game 7-7.
In the second quarter it was Stafford to Fauria for the 5 yard score as the Lions had their first lead. Yet Alfred Morris broke free for a 30 yard touchdown run to tie the game 14-14. David Akers hit a 32 yard field goal as the Lions led 17-14 at halftime.
In the third quarter Potter kicked a 43 yarded as the teams were tied 17-17 after three quarters.
Akers hit a 28 yarded to put the Lions back in front, and Stafford hit Megatron Calvin Johnson for an 11 yard touchdown to give the Lions a 27-17 cushion with 4 minutes left. RGIII moved the Redskins from their 25 to a 1st and goal at the 3 at the 2 minute warning. Yet 3 incompletions later and needing 2 scores, Mike Shanahan opted for the field goal. Potter hit from 21 and it was a one score game again.
The onside kick failed but the Redskins got the ball back with 38 seconds left at their own 20. From midfield, the final Hail Mary by RGIII etched the end zone but fell incomplete. Jim Schwartz pumped his fists as the Lions now have a win at Washington. As for Mike Shanahan and RGIII, they are now 0-3 with 2 of those losses at home. RGIII did throw for 326 yards and one interception, while Stafford threw for 385 yards, two touchdowns, and the early interception. 27-20 Lions
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints — Carson Palmer led an 11 play, 80 yard drive that consumed 6 minutes and ended with Smith running it in from 3 yards out. The Cardinals led 7-0. This concludes Cardinals highlights.
Drew Brees went to work and hit Robert Meachem for a 27 yard touchdown. In the second quarter Brees hit Graham for the 16 yard score. In the third quarter a 31 yard Garrett Hartley field goal had the Saints up 17-7 entering the final quarter.
The close game was then broken wide open as Brees ran it in from 7 yards out and hit Graham for a 7 yard score to complete the blowout. Brees finished 29 of 46 for 342 yards, 3 touchdowns and one interception. The Saints are 3-0 and playing like it. 31-7 Saints
San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans — Philip Rivers hit Antonio gates for a 7 yard touchdown to put the Chargers up 7-0. A defensive stand near the goal line force the Titans to settle for a 20 yard Rob Bironas field goal. Nick Novak answered for the Chargers with a 44 yarded. Just before the half, Jake Locker finally got the Titans in the end zone with a 7 yard run as the teams went to the half tied 10-10. The second half featured hard hitting defense and another fantastic finish.
Ronnie Brown ran it in from one yard out to put the Chargers up 17-10, and in the fourth quarter Bironas hit a 37 yarded to get the Titans within 17-13. The Chargers were unable to run out the clock as the Titans had one last shot from their own 6 yard line with 2:17 to play.
Locker put on a passing clinic, hitting Kenny Wirght for 9, Walker for 11, Williams for 9, Wright for 16, and Preston for 4. On 3rd and 6 from the Chargers 45 with 44 seconds left, Locker hit Nate Washington for 11. With 21 seconds left, the Titans faced 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 34. Locker went deep and found Justin Hunter for the touchdown as the Chargers bench collapsed in agony.
15 seconds still remained, and the Chargers had one last chance at a Hail Mary of their own from midfield. Instead Mike McCoy went for the hook and laterals, but there would be no reverse Music City Miracle as the play gained about 20 yards before losing 40 yards. The Chargers have had 3 straight cardiac games but are only 1-2 while the 2-1 Titans under Mike Munchak are winning with attitude and hard nosed play. 20-17 Titans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots — Neither the Bucs or Pats have been meeting expectations even though the Patriots are 2-0. Early on their offensive struggles are continuing as the Pirates of Pewter Power under Greg Schiano are bringing back Buc Ball. A 30 yard Ryan Lindell field goal capped off a 13 play, 76 yard, 6 minute drive to make it 3-0 Buccaneers. For the third straight week, Tom Brady is out of rhythm early on.
Reality then finally set in at the Bucs-Pats game. Brady hit Kendrell Thompkins for 16 yards and a 7-3 New England lead. That should be enough to finish the Bucs, since Schiano may trade Josh Freeman at halftime. Brady would go back to Thompkins for a 5 yard touchdown and Stephen Gostkowski would drill a 53 yard field goal just before the half as the Patriots were firmly in control up 17-3.
Another hideous second half for both teams resulted in Gostkowski kicking field goals from 46 and 33 to complete the blowout. The Bucs are every bit as bad as their 0-3 record while the Patriots, despite complaints, are still 3-0 and only going to get better. Former Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib had another interception for the Patriots while Darrell Revis did not. 23-3 Patriots
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals — Cincinnati jumped on Green Bay at the outset as Red Rifle Andy Dalton led a 10 play, 80 yard drive that consumed 5 1/2 minutes and saw Bernard leap over the top and stretch for the pylon to put the Bengals on the board first. Green Bay then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting up the Bengals at the Packers 2 yard line. Benjarvus Green-Ellis took it in to quickly make it 14-0 Bengals.
Meanwhile, the Bengals may no longer be the Bungles but they cannot handle prosperity. A Cincy fumble sets up a Packers field goal and another one is returned for a touchdown as 3 straight Bengals turnovers has the Packers within 14-10. LB Jennings returned the fumble for the score after Clay Matthews forced the fumble.
Cincinnati turned it over on 4 straight drives. Perhaps it still is the 1990s. Aaron Rodgers would get crunched at the goal line. He was unhappy on the sideline as Mike McCarthy opted for the field goal rather than gamble on 4th and goal at the one. Big Man BJ Raji intervened between McCarthy and Rogers to cool the flareup. Mason Crosby gets the Packers within 14-13, but another major defensive stand by the Cincy defense has them compensating for their turnover prone offense.
They could only compensate for so long as Mason Crosby would hit a 26 yard field goal at halftime to make it 16-14 Packers at halftime.
In the third quarter Green Bay continued rolling as Franklin ran it in from 2 yards out and Rodgers hit Jones for a 7 yard score. 30 straight points had the Packers leading 30-14 in a laugher. Then the laughter stopped.
Andy Dalton threw a 20 yard touchdown pass to AJ Green to get the Bengals within 30-21 after three quarters. The Bengals would miss a field goal in the fourth quarter, but Dalton then led a 95 yard drive that ended with him hitting Jones for an 11 yard score. The extra point was blocked, but the Bengals were within 30-27 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Rodgers led a brilliant time consuming drive, bleeding 7 minutes off the clock. Despite pass happy Mike McCarthy hating to run, the Packers rushed for 182 yards on the day. Everything came to a head with the Packers facing 4th and 1 at the Bengals 30 with 4 minutes left. McCarthy decided to go for it to try to put the game out of reach. What happened next was a jaw dropper.
Franklin got the carry and he got stopped. He also fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Nelson of the Bengals defense. Nelson then fumbled it and Terrence Newman of the Bengals picked it up. Newman raced 58 yards for a touchdown in front of a shellshocked Packers bench. Now it was the Bengals with 20 unanswered points and a 4 point lead.
Green Bay took over at their 20 and moved the Packers to a 4th and 5 at the Cincy 20. Rodgers then had his pass deflected and incomplete as the Bengals crowd erupted. In a stunner, it is the Packers who are 1-2 while the 2-1 Bengals had a comeback that is one of the best ever in franchise history. 34-30 Bengals.
St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys — In the 1970s and 1980s, these teams had some thrilling playoff games. Now they enter a pair of 1-1 teams trying to silence critics. Only one team did so as this game was all Dallas.
Tony Romo threw three touchdown passes and DeMarco Murray ran wild for 175 yards as Dallas insisted they were committed to the running game. Romo hit Dez Bryant for a 2 yard score early and Dan Bailey added a 19 yard field goal. Murray took it in from 2 yards out to have Dallas up 17-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter Romo hit Escobar for a 24 yard score to make it 24-0. Sam Bradford would hit Pettis for a 4 yard touchdown, but Romo went to Harris for another 24 yard score as the Cowboys cruised. At 2-1 they lead the NFC Least while the Rams fell to 1-2 in their tough NFC West Division. Jerry Jones was so pleased that he extended Jason Garrett’s contract to allow him and the players to play next week. 31-7 Cowboys
Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings — Cleveland decided to surrender the season by trading Trent Richardson to Indy for a 2014 1st round draft pick who will probably be a bust. Ex-honcho Walrus Mike Holmgren blasted the decision. The new Browns management also benched Brandon Weeden and decided to start 3rd string quarterback Brian Hoyer. Welcome to Browns preseason, or so we all thought.
Minnesota began by moving 80 yards in 11 plays in 5 1/2 minutes, with Adrian peterson getting the final deuce on the ground to make it 7-0 Vikings. The new look Browns responded with Hoyer hitting Gordon for a 47 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
Hoyer continued looking impressive, quickly moving the Browns 82 yards and hitting Cameron for a 19 yard score to put the Browns on top. Yet Christian Ponder, who has faced heavy criticism for his play, answered with 80 quick yards. Ponder ran the final 6 yards himself to tie the game 14-14.
Hoyer completed 11 of his first 15 passes while Ponder is 8 for 11 as the Browns-Vikings game became far more interesting than expected. A field goal by Billy Cundiff from 38 yards out put the Browns up 17-14. Cleveland is all of a sudden a juggernaut, but their touchdown pass was not thrown by Hoyer. It certainly was not thrown by Weeden. It was Lanning with the 11 yard toss on the fake field goal to Cameron that had the Browns up 24-14.
Brian Walsh kicked a 43 yard field goal, and Ponder ran it in from 8 yards out as the Vikings tied the game 24-24 early in the fourth quarter. Ponder would then lead the Vikings with a solid drive that set up Walsh from 30 yards out. The kick was good and Minnesota had the 27-24 lead with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Minnesota had chances to run out the clock, but was unable to do so. With 3 1/2 minutes left a 35 yard punt gave the Browns one more chance from their own 45. On 3rd and 10 Hoyer hit gordon for 11. Hoyer hit Ogbonnaya for 11, Cameron for 13, and Gordon for 10. With one minute to go, the Browns faced 3rd and goal at the 7. The team that fired Marty Schottenheimer, Bud Carson and Walrus Mike Holmgren still had a chance to call the Sam Rutigliano Red Right 88 and throw an interception. Instead it was Hoyer to Cameron for the touchdown as the Browns had the 4 point lead.
Ponder had 47 seconds and 71 yards to go. He moved the Vikings to a 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 34 with 10 seconds left. His first Hail Mary was incomplete. On the final play, the ball never left his hand as he was sacked for an 8 yard loss. In a stunner, it was the Vikings and not the Browns who fell to 0-3. Meanwhile, forget Trent Richardson. The Browns may have a new quarterback, as Hoyer went 30 for 54 for 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Brandon Weeden may not throw another pass for the Browns again, at least not as a starter. 31-27 Browns
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins — Atlanta has an offense and Miami has a defense as Atlanta went to play the surprising 2-0 Dolphins. Matt Ryan led a 14 play, 80 yard, 9 minute drive to start the game as the Falcons went on top 7-0 when Matty Ice hit Jason Snelling for the 7 yard touchdown. In the second quarter Ryan led an 11 play drive that took 6 more minutes of clock. Matt Bryant hit the 52 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Falcons.
Yet Miami fought back as 80 yards came quickly and the last 5 came from Thomas running it in. Ryan led another very long drive, going 13 plays, 78 yards, and consuming 8 more minutes. Yet the Falcons could not get past the Miami 3 yard line and settled for the field goal to lead 13-7. Sturgis hit a 46 yarded for Miami to get them to within 13-10 at the break.
In the third quarter Miami fumbled, and Atlanta took over at the Dolphins 12. Ryan hit Toilolo for the 2 yard score to make it 20-10 Falcons. Again, the Dolphins came back. Sturgis hit a 50 yard field goal to make it a one score game. Ryan Tannehill was intercepted, but the Falcons could not capitalize. Atlanta then fumbled a punt, giving Miami the ball at the Atlanta 19. On 3rd and 9 Tannehill hit Brad Hartline for the score as the game was deadlocked 20-20.
Bryant added a 33 yard field goal to put the Falcons up 23-20 with 12 minutes left in regulation. With 4:46 to play the Dolphins mounted their final drive. from their 25. With 1:56 to play Tannehill converted a 3rd and 4 with a pass to Gibson at the Atlanta 29. He then went deep to Clay for 21 and Gibson again for 7 to put the ball on the one yard line with 43 seconds left. Tannehill hit Sims for the score and the Dolphins had the 4 point lead. Atlanta took over at their 20 and Ryan was quickly intercepted as the Dolphins got to a surprising 3-0 for Joe Philbin while Atlanta is a puzzling 1-2 for Mike Smith. 27-23 Dolphins
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets — The Bills and Jets both came in 1-1, but the Bills looked beautiful losing a heartbreaker and then winning last week in a cliffhanger at the gun. As for the Jets, both their win and loss came in hideously ugly fashion. Even by Jets standards, they set a tone for ugliness in this game with 20 penalties. Yet Geno Smith and EJ Manuel are both talented, and this game was worth watching.
Geno Smith ran it in from 8 yards out to have the Jets up 7-0 after the opening quarter. In the second quarter Dan Carpenter hit field goals of 37 and 23 to get Buffalo within 7-6, but then the Jets began pulling away. Smith hit Hill for a 51 yard touchdown and Nick Folk added a 47 yard field goal to have the Jets up 17-6 at halftime.
Folk would add a 34 yarded in the third quarter to make it 20-6 Jets. Buffalo moved well at times but had to settle for Carpenter field goals of 43 and 26 to get within 20-12. Yet in the fourth quarter finally scored in a big way as Manuel hit Chandler for a 33 yard touchdown. Manuel hit Stevie St. Johnson for the 2 point conversion as the game was tied 20-20 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
This time the Jets needed only one minute to retake the lead as Smith went deep to Santonio Holmes for a 69 yard touchdown. Buffalo had several chances with the ball but the Jets held on defense. Buffalo turned it over on downs with 1:48 left. The Jets had to punt again, but a perfect punt pinned the Bills at their own one with 21 seconds left. Needing 99 yards, the Bills came up short by 90 of them. The Jets may be one of the worst 2-1 teams in some time, but Rex Ryan will take it and most likely remind everybody the team has nothing to apologize for. 27-20 Jets
Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers — It was one thing for the 49ers to get beaten up on the road by an archival. Yet now they were at home against a struggling Indy team that was unimpressive at 1-1 with both games at home. The 49ers were expected to rebound. As for the Colts, they now have Trent Richardson, who was traded from Cleveland after only 18 games.
Andrew Luck began by leading an 80 yard drive that culminated in Richardson getting the one yard touchdown. Colin Kapernick responded with a 91 yard drive that saw Kendall Hunter run for a 13 yard score as the teams were deadlocked 7-7 after the first quarter. While the 49ers are known for defense, it was the Colts defense that shocked the home crowd. Adam Vinatieri would kick a 43 yard field goal in the second quarter and a 41 yarded in the third quarter as the Colts had a 13-7 lead after three quarters.
The fourth quarter was all Colts. Luck ran it in from 6 yards out and Ahmad Bradshaw added a one yard touchdown run as the Colts shocked the home crowd. The 49ers have been outscored 56-10 in their last 2 games and are a surprising 1-2 while the Colts are 2-1 with the emphatic road win. Jim Harbaugh had no answer today as the Chuck Pagano Colts showed that Chuck Strong still means plenty on the football field. 27-7 Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks — The largest blowout in NFL history was 73-0 back in 1940. Seattle had a chance to break that mark today hosing Jacksonville. The Seakawks were 9.5 point favorites. Jacksonville had a chance for perhaps the biggest inset since Super Bowl III, which was only an 18 point spread. Pete Carroll must feel like he is coaching USC during their dynasty, because the Seahawks are that good, the Jaguars are that bad, and this came was over by halftime.
Russell Wilson was 14 of 21 for 202 yards with 4 touchdown passes and one interception. Wilson hit Zach Miller for a 1 yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 4 yard second quarter to score to make it 14-0. Steve Hauschka hit a 21 yarded and Wilson hit Sidney Rice for an 11 yard second quarter score and a 23 yard third quarter touchdown to make it 31-0 Seattle.
Pete Carroll pulled the starters since there was no College Football Bowl berth on the line by running up the score. Jacksonville would eventually put some points on the board, but backup Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson had some fun of his own in hitting Donald Baldwin for a 35 yard score and running for a 5 yard touchdown. This was not a football game. It was a carpet-bombing. 45-17 Seahawks
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers —
The Chicago Bears at 2-0 may not be that good, but the 0-2 Steelers really are that bad. Chicago jumped all over the Steelers from the outset. Robbie Gould hit a 47 yard field goal. Pittsburgh then fumbled and Chicago took over at the Steelers 17. Matt Forte ran it in from 5 yards out to make it 10-0. Forte then ran for a 55 yard gain to set up 4th and goal from inches away. Marc Trestman went for it and battering ram Michael Bush banged in to make it 17-0 Bears after the opening quarter.
The Steelers did get a 27 yard Shawn Suisham field goal and then got the ball back, but Big Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted by Michael Wright. Wright returned it 38 yards for the score as the Bears were walloping the Steelers 24-3.
Chicago almost put the game away but an attempted block punt was just missed, resulting in a critical roughing the kicker penalty against the Bears. So rather than vie it back to Jay Cutler and the offense, Pittsburgh kept the ball. Given a second chance, Big Ben hit Antonio Brown for a 33 yard strike to give the Steelers some life down 24-10.
The third quarter saw another Pittsburgh turnover in their own territory that led to a field goal and a 27-10 Bears lead. Pittsburgh began fighting back. Shawn Suisham hit a 36 yard field goal and Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown for a 21 yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter Suisham hit a 44 yarded and the Steelers were only down 27-23.
Cutler threw a pass to the end zone to Bennett that was ruled out of bounds, and it seemed like Pittsburgh had life. Yet Marc Trestman challenged the call, and it was reversed to a 17 yard touchdown. Julius Peppers added the final insurance by recovering a fumble of Big Ben and returning it 42 yards for the clinching touchdown. 40-23 Bears
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos was the Monday night game. The Raiders went 3 and out and Denver started at their own 45. Peyton Manning completed 5 of 6 passes as defensive penalties killed the Raiders on 3rd down. A 2 yard toss to Eric Decker had Denver up 7-0 only 4 1/2 minutes into the game.
On 3rd and 7 Terrelle Pryor threw a completion for a first down, but offensive pass interference negated it. Then on 3rd and 17 a perfect pass for a first down was dropped as the Raiders punted again.
The Raiders went 3 and out on their first 3 drives as the 3rd drive saw 2 runs net zero yards and a Dink and Dunk West Coast Offense pass that padded the stats but accomplished nothing. The Raiders began their first 3 drives from their 13, 15 and 9. Denver began 2 of their first 3 drives past their own 40. Matt Prater would drill a 53 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Broncos.
A touchback gave the Raiders their best field position and Pryor ran for 22 yards. Yet they reached the Denver 45 before punting. Manning would hit Wes Welker for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Broncos.
The Raiders finally got on the board when Pryor went deep over the middle to Denarius Moore. Moore spun away from two tackers and outraced everybody for a 73 yard touchdown to get the Raiders within 17-7 with 6 minutes left in the half. Yet Manning needed only one play to connect with Eric Decker for a 61 yard gain as Decker repeatedly faked out the Oakland defense up the field. On 3rd and 4 from the 13, Manning hit Denarius Thomas for the score as Denver was rolling 24-7.
Pryor started 7 of 11 for 101 yards and the touchdown, but Manning began 21 of 24 for 264 yards and 3 touchdowns. Yes, that was only the first half as Prater added a 41 yard field goal to make it 27-7 Broncos at halftime. While a 68 yard field goal try is tough, at least it would have given the Raiders a lift to try it. Dennis Allen instead went for the Hail Mary, resulting in a sack and ensuring the Raiders would have nothing to take pride in at halftime. Bad coaching decision by Dennis Allen to end the half. Sebastian Janikowski deserved a chance at history.
Manning began the third quarter every bit as red hot and Prater added a 40 yard field goal to make it 30-7 Broncos. The Raiders then finally showed a spark. The defense forced a fumble of Peyton Manning. After a long completion, Terrell Pryor pitched it to Darren McFadden, who threw a touchdown pass Marcel Reece. The Raiders trailed 30-14 after three quarters but at least showed heart. Yet the defense had no answers for Manning, who switched from passing to running the ball out of the draw play. Monte Ball crashed on from one yard out to make it 37-14. A garbage touchdown late concluded the scoring. 37-21 Broncos
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