On a short week for Thursday Night Football, neither the Las Vegas Raiders or the Denver Broncos played incredibly well in a contest that could've gone either way.
Yet in a game that felt tangible for the Raiders to win, they essentially beat themselves in the 10-7 primetime loss.
As the offense became battered throughout the game, they couldn't get things going after the first quarter of action. Geno Smith was sacked six times by a Broncos defense that leads the league in that category, and as a whole, the Raiders were held to 188 yards of offense.
"There's a lot of factors here," Pete Carroll said postgame. "We've got to run the ball better against a really hard group tonight. We've got to protect better. They're way out above everybody else rushing the passer and they were able to do it again. We couldn't neutralize it. ... Yeah, we've got to score more."
After receiving good field position off a 30-yard punt, the Raiders only had to march 41 yards down the field to score the first points of the game. The drive was capped off with a four-yard touchdown run by Ashton Jeanty, following a pull block made by Jackson Powers-Johnson into the end zone.
It was the rookie running back's seventh total touchdown this season.
Two possessions later, the Raiders nearly took a 14-0 lead. On fourth-and-two, Geno Smith connected with Tre Tucker for what would've been a 31-yard touchdown. However, rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. was called for offensive interference on the play.
The Raiders offense continued to be aggressive on the following drive, going for it on fourth down again. However, the Broncos called up a safety blitz with Talanoa Hufanga coming away with a sack.
Guards Dylan Parham and Powers-Johnson both exited the game with injuries in the first half, while Smith was sacked five times. Nevertheless, Smith gave credit to Will Putnam and Alex Cappa who had to step up in their place.
"We're going against a tough defense ... and we got the next man up mentality around here," the quarterback said. "I thought Will Putnam stepped in and played a tremendous game. For him to get some of his first action in a long time, I thought he did what he needed to do to allow us to move the ball. Obviously we know what Cap [Alex Cappa] can do, he stepped in there and did his job."
The Broncos scored seven of their own to tie the game near the end of the second quarter, with Bo Nix finding wide receiver Troy Franklin for a seven-yard touchdown.
As Denver tried to add more points to the scoreboard to end the half, Nix chucked up a deep pass in double coverage that was intercepted by Kyu Blu Kelly– the first interception of his career.
With the game tied at 7 going into the third quarter, both offenses continued to be stagnant. Broncos kicker Will Lutz missed a 59-yard field goal. On the next possession, a pass to Jeanty bobbled out of hands into the air for what felt like eternity. Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman came down with the interception.
As the Raiders offense struggled, their misfortunes transferred over into special teams. After two exceptional punts downed inside the two-yard line from AJ Cole, the Broncos blocked a punt to put the ball at the Las Vegas 14-yard line. It was Cole's second blocked punt this season.
Lutz redeemed himself from his missed field goal to knock in a 32-yarder to take a 10-7 lead.
The injury bug made it's way over from the Raiders offensive line to bite their quarterback. Smith suffered a quad injury that he played through the majority of the fourth quarter.
"I never want to leave my teammates out there alone," Smith said of choosing to go back in the game. "I feel like that's a big responsibility of mine to be out there and to do whatever I can to help us win. So I felt like I could try to tough it out and that's what I tried to do."
Las Vegas continued to find life within its defense when a pass bobbled out of the arms of Franklin landing into Kelly's hands for his second interception of the game.
"Honestly I give credit to PG [Patrick Graham] and the players around me," Kelly said on *Raiders Gameday*. "Tyree [Wilson] came up to me, he almost got the sack on Bo [Nix] on that deep one and was able to rush the throw and I was just in position to make the play. On the other one Lonnie [Johnson] and [Jeremy] Chinn were in the window and made it a tough catch for the receiver and I was just there to make a play.
"PG schemed this up so well and the players around me played really great, so it just allowed me to make plays."
With a chance to tie the game with 3:13 left in regulation, Daniel Carlson missed wide right on a 48-yard field goal. Denver picked up three first downs to run the clock out, and pick up their seventh consecutive victory.
In a game where complementary football wasn't on display, the Raiders defense is what gave them a chance to win. Along with Kelly's two interceptions, the unit held the Broncos offense to 5-of-15 on third down and Nix to a season-low 150 passing yards and 54.2 passer rating.
While no moral victories comes from a third straight loss, Carroll is still pleased with the effort he saw from his team.
"The way that they competed was just what we're hoping for, just what we're looking for," the head coach emphasized. "Could we not clip a guy? Could we not hold a guy? Yeah. Could we not pick a guy? Yeah. There's so many things we could get better at but the fight is in this dog now. Ain't no doubt about it. I couldn't wait to tell them how proud I was at the way they competed."
Now the Raiders hope they can get healthy before their Monday Night Football contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Time will tell if they learn from the mistakes that could've landed them a victory in Mile High Stadium.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 10 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes for a 4-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes for a 4-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a 4-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) after rushing for a 4-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with running back Raheem Mostert (31) after rushing for a 4-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with teammates during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20), long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) intercepts a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) and linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
