SB Nation Bay Area - Raiders Defeat Broncos 39-23; Remain Two Back In AFC Westhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2010-12-20T11:40:24-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16413782010-12-20T11:40:24-08:002010-12-20T11:40:24-08:00NFL Playoff Scenarios, The AFC Wild Card: Raiders Wild Card Hopes Fade To Black
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<p>Week 15 contained a victory for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>, unfortunately it also did for virtually everyone else they needed to lose. The Raiders needed either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> or the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> to lose or there was going to be no scenario in which they could claim one of the two <span class="caps">AFC</span> Wild Card spots. Both the Jets and Ravens were playing 10-win teams and both walked away victorious.</p>
<p>The Ravens hosted the defending champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. The Ravens improved their record to 10-4 by leading the Saints almost start to finish, for an impressive 30-24 victory. The Jets, who came into Sunday’s action losers of two straight, were down by seven in the third quarter and rallied for a 22-17 victory.</p>
<p>One more victory for the Jets or Ravens, or just a loss by either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> and the Jets and Ravens will clinch a post-season berth. The victories signaled the end of the road for the Raiders wild card hopes. Their only road to the post-season must now go through the <span class="caps">AFC</span> West.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/20/1887706/nfl-playoff-scenarios-the-afc-wild-card-raiders-wild-card-hopes-fadeRich Langford2010-12-19T23:04:55-08:002010-12-19T23:04:55-08:00NFL Playoff Scenarios, The AFC West: The Raiders Fail To Gain Ground
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> did everything within in their power to gain ground in the <span class="caps">AFC</span> West, but the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a> did not let that happen. <span>Matt Cassel</span> returned to action and led the Chiefs to a 27-13 victory in St. Louis over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a>. The Chiefs gave up two field goals early and trailed 6-0 at the end of the first quarter, but they then went on a 20-0 run to put the game away and stay two games ahead of the Raiders and one ahead of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a>, with two games remaining.</p>
<p>The mission is simple for the Raiders. It all starts with them winning next week. This is not going to be an easy task. The Raiders will host <span>Peyton Manning</span> and the 8-6 <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a>. The Colts will be coming in off of a huge 34-24 victory to reclaim first place in the <span class="caps">AFC</span> South.</p>
<p>That is the part of this scenario the Raiders can control. The other part has to do with two teams losing. The San Diego Chargers will need to lose one of their next two games. They travel to Cincinnati and will take on the 3-11 <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> before going to Denver to take on the 3-11 <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a>. At least both games will find the Chargers on the road.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Chiefs to knock the Raiders from contention before the Raiders take the field against the Colts. They will be playing in the confines of their home stadium against the 6-8 <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Titans</a>. The Titans showed some life today as they beat Houston 31-17.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886747/nfl-playoff-scenarios-the-afc-west-the-raiders-fail-to-gain-groundRich Langford2010-12-19T16:54:43-08:002010-12-19T16:54:43-08:00NFL Scores Week 15: Raiders Defeat Tim Tebow, Broncos Behind Dominant Rushing And Sebastian Janikowski
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 39-23 defeat of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>, completing the season sweep of their division rival. The game was a see-saw affair for three quarters before Oakland took control in the fourth quarter and put away their seventh victory. The Raiders are now 7-7 and sit two games back of the division-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>.</p>
<p>The Raiders victory was due to a mix of dominant rushing, some timely defense, some huge penalties and as is often the case, <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span>’s leg. The Raiders rushed for 264 yards at a clip of 6.4 yards per rush. That average was helped out considerably by <span>Jacoby Ford</span>’s 71 yard run, but <span>Darren McFadden</span> had a big day of 119 yards on only 20 carries. He did lose a fumble in the first quarter that resulted in a Broncos TD, but for the most part he was as reliable as anybody today.</p>
<p>The Broncos hung close behind a fairly effective starting debut for QB <span>Tim Tebow</span>. <span>Kyle Orton</span> was out with multiple injuries and Tebow made the most of his debut. He was only 8 of 16 for 138 yards but he completed a 33-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 78 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter.</p>
<p>The Raiders got big efforts from Jacoby Ford, Marcel Reese, and <span>Michael Bush</span>, but Sebastian Janikowski also proved key in wet conditions at the Oakland Coliseum. He connected on three field goals that included a long of 49 and also contributed a punt when <span>Shane Lechler</span> hurt himself, which was muffed by Denver and turned into three more points for Oakland.</p>
<p>The Raiders sit two back of the Chiefs and one back of San Diego with two games remaining. The Raiders visit Kansas City the final week of the season but will need the Chiefs to lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> next week at Arrowhead, and will also need the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> to lose either at Cincinnati or at Denver to close out the season. If the Raiders finished tied with the Chiefs and/or the Chargers at this point, they’ll hold the number one tie-breaker having swept both teams.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886252/nfl-scores-week-15-raiders-broncos-tim-tebow-defeat-dominant-rushing-sebastian-janikowskiDavid Fucillo2010-12-19T16:25:43-08:002010-12-19T16:25:43-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos: Oakland Takes Commanding 16 Point Lead On Quentin Groves Safety, Michael Bush Touchdown
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> appear to have put today’s game away as they have taken a 39-23 over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> with less than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Raiders have used timely defense and an offensive onslaught to take care of business.</p>
<p>After Broncos kicker Steven Hauschka cut the Raiders lead to 30-23, the Raiders stalled out on offense and had to punt. However, <span>Shane Lechler</span> provde to be healthy again and dropped a punt at the Broncos 6 yard line. Broncos running back <span>Lance Ball</span> lost four yards on the first play of the ensuing Broncos drive. On the next play, Raiders defensive end <span>Quentin Groves</span> tackled <span>Correll Buckhalter</span> in the end zone for a safety and a key 32-23 lead. The safety gave the Raiders a two possession lead and the ball with 7:41 to go in the game.</p>
<p>On the Broncos free kick, <span>Nick Miller</span> returned it to the Oakland 38. However, Broncos DB Nate Jones was called for unnecessary roughness and the Raiders moved to the Denver 47. A steady diet of <span>Darren McFadden</span> and <span>Jacoby Ford</span> moved Oakland down to the Denver 1 yard line and <span>Michael Bush</span> punched in the score.</p>
<p>The Raiders now have the ball back at the two minute warning. They just gained a first down and will look to run out the clock on the important victory.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886169/raiders-vs-broncos-oakland-quentin-groves-safety-michael-bush-touchdownDavid Fucillo2010-12-19T15:52:18-08:002010-12-19T15:52:18-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos: Jason Campbell, Marcel Reese Connect On 73-Yard Touchdown Pass
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> have opened the fourth quarter with a monster touchdown pass that gives them a 30-20 lead on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>. On the Broncos prior drive, Denver had a 3rd and 1 turned into 3rd and 6 after a false start. Denver couldn’t convert and was forced to punt to the Raiders, who started on their own 27. <span>Jason Campbell</span> dumped off a short little pass to Marcel Reese and a few moves and key blocks turned it into a 73-yard touchdown reception for the fullback.</p>
<p>Given how the first quarter played out this game could be far from over. Both teams have shown an ability to come up with some big plays, whether it be the Reese touchdown, <span>Jacoby Ford</span>’s end around, <span>Tim Tebow</span>’s rushing touchdown, or <span>Brandon Lloyd</span>’s huge touchdown catch. Much like last week’s Raiders-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> matchup, this game could come down to the last man standing.</p>
<p>As I write, the Broncos are already looking to get back into this. Tim Tebow just connected with <span>Jabar Gaffney</span> on a 32-yard pickup. The Broncos are currently on the Oakland 35 looking to cut into this lead.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886108/raiders-vs-broncos-jason-campbell-marcel-reese-connect-touchdownDavid Fucillo2010-12-19T15:41:22-08:002010-12-19T15:41:22-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos: Jason Campbell Returns From Injury, Sebastian Janikowski Gives Raiders Lead
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<p><span>Jason Campbell</span> returned to the field and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> have responded to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> game-tying field goal with another <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span> field goal. The Seabass score gives the Raiders a 23-20 lead. Campbell was knocked out of the game on the previous Oakland drive but it appears he was just shaken up. He came back on the field and had a key 25 yard pass to <span>Jacoby Ford</span> to get the Raiders into field goal territory.</p>
<p>Janikowski and Ford have been the two most important players for the Raiders today and are the reason they lead this game. Janikowski has hit three field goals of 35, 47, and 49 yards, as well as a pair of extra points. He also stepped up to punt after Lechler injured himself at some point. Janikowski’s punt was muffed by the Broncos and led to a Raiders field goal near the end of the second quarter.</p>
<p>Ford has been huge as well yet again primarily due to his 71 yard end around that he took in for the game-opening touchdown. He also had a key 25 yard reception on this last drive. The Raiders need a win to maintain pace in the <span class="caps">AFC</span> West where both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> won. An Oakland loss would mathematically eliminate them from the playoff race.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886091/raiders-vs-broncos-jason-campbell-returns-injury-sebastian-janikowskiDavid Fucillo2010-12-19T15:29:13-08:002010-12-19T15:29:13-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos: Jason Campbell Injured, Kyle Boller Enters, Oakland Gets Field Goal
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> have taken a 20-17 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> on a 35-yard <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span> field goal. The Raiders benefited from a roughing the passer call against the Broncos that got them half the distance to the goal. The penalty was costly though as <span>Jason Campbell</span> had to leave the game with an injury and was replaced by backup QB <span>Kyle Boller</span>. The Raiders went with a simple handoff on Boller’s first play and while it failed to get a first down, it set up an easy Seabass field goal.</p>
<p>The Raiders benefited from several penalties on that drive. Aside from the roughing penalty, Denver was called for a facemask penalty on the punt that started the Oakland drive. Raiders punt returner <span>Nick Miller</span> returned a 56-yard punt 22 yards and had 15 yards added on courtesy of the face mask penalty. That set the Raiders up on the Denver 24 and it was a quick score after that.</p>
<p>The Broncos now have the ball back and are deep in Raiders territory, having just had a pass to the end zone broken up by the Raiders. The Broncos drove down to the Raiders 18-yard line but stalled out and just kicked a game-tying 35 yard field goal. The game now stands tied 20-20.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886074/raiders-vs-broncos-jason-campbell-injured-kyle-boller-enters-oaklandDavid Fucillo2010-12-19T14:50:27-08:002010-12-19T14:50:27-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos: Oakland Turns Sebastian Janikowski Punt Into Fumble And Janikowski Field Goal
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> started and ended a drive with <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span>, which has tied them with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> 17-17 to close out the half. After a three and out, the Raiders were prepared to punt away and hope their defense could stop Denver.</p>
<p>Kicker Sebastian Janikowski came out to punt because of some kind of <span>Shane Lechler</span> injury. Seabass booted a 33 yard punt that former Cal star Syd’quan Thompson muffed and Oakland recovered. On the next play <span>Jason Campbell</span> scrambled 20 yards to the Denver 34. The Raiders then went three and out and Janikowski came back on the field to kick a game tying field goal.</p>
<p>The Broncos had taken a 17-14 lead early in the second quarter, but neither offense was particularly explosive following a big first quarter. The teams now head into the lockers at halftime all tied up at 17.</p>
<p>After that offensively charged first quarter, it’s not surprising things slowed down in the second quarter. We’ll see what kind of action shows up in the third quarter. For more on the Raiders, check out <a href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com" target="new">Silver and Black Pride</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2010/12/19/1886020/raiders-vs-broncos-oakland-turns-sebastian-janikowski-punt-field-goalDavid Fucillo