Spark plays on special teams and a strong display from Tyree Wilson wasn't enough for the Raiders to take home a victory in Week 12.
Here are some key takeaways and metrics from Sunday's 29-19 loss to Denver.
Bowers Sets Raiders Record, Meyers and Tucker Step Up In Pass Game
The Broncos defensive game plan was clear: minimize Brock Bowers' impact and make the Raiders run their offense through other players. Denver's execution of that plan was largely successful as Bowers caught just four of his 10 targets for 38 yards, his second-lowest receiving total of the season. Nonetheless, Bowers (74 receptions) passed Amari Cooper (72 in 2015) for the most receptions in a single season by a rookie in Raiders history.
With the Broncos focused on limiting Bowers, wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker saw the bulk of the remaining targets. Meyers finished with 10 catches for 121 yards on a career-high 15 targets. His 10 catches and 121 receiving yards both rank second most in a game in his career. Since entering the NFL in 2019, Meyers is one of four undrafted players to record multiple games with 10+ catches (Adam Thielen, Austin Ekeler and Cole Beasley).
Tucker added 82 receiving yards on a career-high-tying seven receptions.
"There was a lot of eyes on Brock," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. "They were trying to bang him up, and that's going to happen. But that opened up the doors for Jakobi. I thought Jakobi had a big day. I thought you saw a breakout game with Tre Tucker and run after the catch. Just finding ways to get him the football. So, that's going to come up, obviously, as we have one of the better players in the league at the tight end position. Teams are going to find ways to take him away, and that creates other opportunities for other players."
Defense Can't Stop Sutton
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton had been a focal point of the Broncos pass game all year and that continued Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. He registered his fifth game this season with 10 or more targets and finished with a season-high-tying eight receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns. The majority of his production (six catches for 78 yards) came in the third quarter.
While the Raiders only sacked rookie quarterback Bo Nix once, they racked up eight tackles for loss and held the Broncos to 2.86 yards per carry, their lowest mark of the season.
Where the defense will need to put focus on a short week is limiting opponent's scoring drives. In the two weeks since the bye, the Raiders are allowing a score on 72.2 percent of their defensive drives. They have not stopped their opponent on consecutive drives (no score) since Week 9.
Special Teams Provides Spark
Rookie running back Dylan Laube made the most of his opportunity with a 59-yard kickoff return, AJ Cole executed a pass to linebacker Divine Deablo on a fake punt play for a 34-yard gain, and Daniel Carlson went 4-of-4 on field goals, as special teams had a standout day.
Since starting 5-of-7 over the first three weeks, Carlson has made his last 17 field goals, the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
"We got 10 points from our special teams," Pierce said Monday. "We got that big return, got the ball at the 40-yard line, that was a touchdown. Then we get the fake punt by Deablo that gave us another field goal. So, yesterday, you obviously saw that we threw the kitchen sink at them, and we're going to continue to do that throughout. We're going to fight for every game and keep trying to win."
Numbers To Know
With Alexander Mattison and Zamir White inactive due to injury, Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick combined for all 13 rushes by Raiders running backs. Abdullah totaled 65 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown while McCormick tallied 33 rushing yards on five carries (6.6 avg.).
Both Gardner Minshew II – who exited the game late in the fourth quarter with an injury – and Nix finished 25-of-42 passing.
The Raiders totaled a season-high 369 net yards of offense. Their 53 pass attempts were the most in a non-overtime Raiders game since 2014.
The Silver and Black's 18 tackles for loss over the last two weeks are tied for the second most in the NFL. Maxx Crosby led the team with three tackles for loss against Denver while Tyree Wilson added two, including the team's lone sack. Wilson notched his first career game with multiple tackles for loss while Crosby became one of four players in NFL history (since at least 1999) to reach 100 tackles for loss in his first six NFL seasons (J.J. Watt, Aaron Donald and DeMarcus Ware).
View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor's (37) pads in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo's (5) pads in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby's (98) pads in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah's (8) pads in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers' (89) helmet in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Salute to Service signage around Allegiant Stadium before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders senior advisor Norv Turner and interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner arrive to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45), long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50), punter AJ Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (2) arrive to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Darren Waller signs autographs for fans before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders returners huddle in the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) before the Raiders' regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive backs huddle before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) as the team is introduced onto the field before their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41), quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the coin toss before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) passes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) celebrates after making a first down during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) lines up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and linebacker Divine Deablo (5) pressure the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates on the field during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) returns a kickoff during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) celebrates with teammates after returning a kickoff during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) celebrates after making a first down during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) passes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) passes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) makes a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) makes a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates with teammates after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates with wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) receives the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) sacks the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) celebrates with defensive end Charles Snowden (49) after sacking the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) passes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) celebrates with teammates after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) goes to make a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates after making a first down during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) passes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) celebrates with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) after kicking a 34-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) celebrates with tight end Brock Bowers (89) after making a first down during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 34-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce and guard Dylan Parham (66) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) pressures the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) celebrates after making a first down during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) blocks during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) receives the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) celebrates with teammates after downing a punt during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) celebrates with defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) after punting during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) lines up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) lines up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates with safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) after making a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) looks for a receiver during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) celebrates after breaking up a pass during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) lines up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 53-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 53-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) lines up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) blocks during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) blocks during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) passes during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
