Broncos’ team rushing effort produces bevy of statistical marks

Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) runs past Oakland Raiders linebacker Darryl Blackstock (56) on a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Two-touchdown victories in the NFL often come with a handful of noteworthy player statistics, but the way the Denver Broncos ran the Oakland Raiders into the McAfee Stadium turf in the second half Sunday afternoon earned them more than a handful.

• Their 298 rushing yards were the fourth-most in team history, and the most since a November, 2000 bout vs. Seattle.
• RB Willis McGahee‘s 163 rushing yards on 20 carries (8.2 avg.) was the second-highest total of his career. McGahee, who had surgery for a broken hand less than two weeks ago, rushed for two touchdowns on the day.
• QB Tim Tebow‘s 117 rushing yards on 12 carries (9.8 avg.) were the second most by a Broncos QB in team history.  It was his first 100-yard rushing game, making him the 50th QB to rush for 100 yards in a game in NFL history, and improved Tebow’s franchise rushing marks to boasting three of the Broncos’ top four rushing games by a QB in team annals.
• It marked the first time the Broncos have boasted two 100-yard rushers since Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell rushed for 126 and 107 yards respectively against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005.

Most of the Broncos’ rushing success came in the second half. The yards converted to points: the Broncos scored 31 second-half points to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit and win by 14.

And in stark contrast to the pass-happy offenses under Josh McDaniels in 2009 and 2010, they leaned on the strength of their ground game to do it.