Broncos vs. Raiders – Second Half OPEN THREAD

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4:24 – McCown’s first throw in this quarter is incomplete.  Can you believe this?  Raiders take a timeout after some sloppy line formation.  Oakland is at their 41-yard line and hoping to get somewhere where Sebastian Janikowski can kick it.  He’s more than decent, with a career long of 55 yards.  3rd and 7, blitz heavy, deep ball – DRE BLY PICKS IT OFF!!!

4:23 – Raiders pick up 12 yards, after a 10 yard holding penalty. 22 seconds left, and it’s 2nd and 8 near midfield.

4:21 – They say it only takes a few crucial plays to make or break a game. At 3rd and 4, the Broncos defense faced such a play and couldn’t deliver. The Raiders extend their drive and continue to inch toward field goal territory.

4:18 – A little over 2 minutes, three timeouts, and the Raiders start at their 26 after a 22 yard return. First play of the Raiders drive is a LaMont Jordan gain of 5.

4:17 – With 2:18 to go, it’s time for our defense (and special teams) to pin the Raiders deep and prevent a Raider win.

4:15 – Kick is good, tie game 20-20.

4:14 – Why give it to Mike Bell? Seriously. The guy’s been having a really bad game. After short catch, Elam has a chance at redemption and to tie the game.

4:11 – First down, Denver, after Javon Walker’s 13 yard gain. We’re at the 26 yard line, and now Travis Henry has made a big play. Gerard Warren holds, and now we’re at the Raider 10, First and Goal. Now Cutler, don’t blow it!

4:09 – Cecil Sapp, have I told you I loved you lately? 4:20 or so left, and the huge 4th down conversion after Sapp’s second effort extends the Broncos’ hopes. Timeout, their second of 3.

4:05- Brandon Stokley invokes a little energy with his 23 yard catch, and the Broncos are in Raiders territory. We’re down, but not out.

4:03 – Someone wake me from this nightmare. Please. 3rd and 11.

3:58 – Thomas Howard interception, then touchdown. And now they lead with 8:55 left in the fourth quarter. They’ll probably go for two. The ball was tipped, and the Broncos are looking head first at a horrible loss.

3:57 – Travis Henry limps off after apparently hurting his left knee. Selvin Young‘s in the game, and now we’re looking at 3rd and 8 from the Broncos 45. This is the type of play that could win or lose the game. Let’s convert and continue our march to a win.

3:55 – With less than 11 minutes left and a mere 5 point lead, the Broncos need to put together a good drive. They start it out right, with Cutler completing a bullet to Javon Walker for the first down and then some.

3:53 – Thank God we stopped that drive, and now we’re pinned back deep (again). Let’s get some protection, and oh!, let’s give Travis Henry the ball.

3:48 – Call is upheld, Raiders ball with a touchdown away from overtaking the Broncos for the lead.

3:45 – Challenge pending, hoping Cutler had the ball out of the end zone when he was tackles. Not getting any comfort from the radio guys, though.

3:42 – Gerard Warren, ex-Bronco, tackles Jay Cutler in the end zone for the safety. Straight push up the middle, don’t know which guard blew it. I think I’m gonna be sick. 17-12 Oakland, and Raiders football.

3:40 – That’s another huge pass play called back for an offensive foul – although the radio guys really do think that call was a load of crap. Third quarter over, time to finish this. Score 6 and show the Raiders how it’s done.

3:39 – Calling BS on these refs, man. Montrae Holland would never hold, he’s too perfect. :)

3:35 – DE Elvis Dumervil makes another big play, sacking McCown for a big loss with a four-man rush. Punt pins the Broncos inside the 10, and the Broncos have the ball for the first time since the missed field goal oh so long ago.

3:33 – Speaking of sloppy football… two consecutive Raiders penalties later, and it’s 2nd and 20. Ronald Curry catches, and it’s about 3rd and 15.

3:30 – Step away from the action and all hell breaks loose. Champ Bailey is furious at someone after the Raiders are successful at their onside kick. We’re just playing sloppy football and need to get it together.

3:23 – Jerry Porter touchdown, after Dre Bly blew his coverage. Ouch, the Raiders are still in this one. TIME TO SETTLE DOWN AND TAKE IT TO ‘EM.

3:22 – LaMont Jordan makes it to the Denver 47, converting the 4th down and keeping Oakland’s hopes alive. Now, throw a pick to Dre Bly or something.

3:21 – Shanahan wins the challenge, and it’s fourth down Raiders. No punting unit on the field – this is a huge play!

3:17 – The Broncos call a timeout after a barely-there first down by the Raiders. It looks like coach Shanahan may challenge the spot of the ball and force the Raiders to punt. If I remember correctly, these challenges have the least success rate, but he hasn’t challenged yet and may not.

3:12 – 6 points turn into 0 after the penalty and the wide kick. Elam’s gotta pull it together… something’s not right with our kicker, and every point will count against our next three opponents.

3:11 – Offensive pass interference against Brandon Marshall, who had made into the end zone in an impressive athletic display. Repeat 3rd down after the 10 yard penalty. After Henry‘s not-so-great run, Elam will have a long field goal attempt.

3:08 – The Broncos start the second half by putting together a nice drive. After Travis Henry‘s nice little 16 yard run, we’re now threatening at the Raider 20 yard line.

We’re winning big, and it’s time to win bigger!

(Open thread means you talk too… for pete’s sakes. Stop being shy and say something).