DENVER — On a field painted to mirror the 1977 AFC Championship Game playing surface, the result was the same, too.
The Broncos' defense channeled its inner Orange Crush, recording three interceptions — including a game-changing 100-yard pick-six by Pat Surtain II — in a streak-breaking win.
In 1977, the Broncos earned a win over the Raiders — and they snapped an eight-game skid to Las Vegas on Sunday via a 34-18 win that featured a 34-0 Denver scoring run.
With the Broncos trailing 10-3 in the second quarter, Surtain's interception keyed a marvelous stretch of defensive football in which the Raiders recorded just 22 yards over seven possessions.
In the second half, the Broncos' offense joined the party by scoring 21 points and guiding the Broncos to their first 30-point output since a Week 4 game last season.
The Broncos' 16-point margin of victory represents their biggest win over the Raiders since Gary Kubiak's final game as head coach, which came in the final week of the 2016 season.
These were the players and plays that made the difference in the Broncos' Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
The defining moment of Sunday's game came midway through the second quarter, with the Raiders threatening to take control. Already up 10-3, the Raiders held a first-and-goal from the Denver 5-yard line with a chance to take a 14-point lead. Surtain made sure that didn't happen. With Champ Bailey in the building, Surtain picked off Gardner Minshew's pass and returned it 100 yards for the second-longest pick-six in franchise history. Instead of trailing by 14 points, Denver tied the game in mere moments. With a field goal before the end of the first half — aided by a penalty on the Raiders that gave Denver a second, shorter chance at the kick — the Broncos took the lead for good. Without Surtain's pick, though, the game may have escaped the Broncos' reach.
DEFINING STATISTIC
22 yards.
After the Raiders recorded 202 net yards on their first three possessions and jumped out to an early lead, the Denver defense settled in. Over the ensuing seven Raiders possessions, Las Vegas notched just 22 total yards and picked up two first downs. The Broncos also recorded two more interceptions, leading to a 34-0 run for Denver. The Broncos also recorded three sacks, which all came in the second half.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
It speaks to Surtain's impressive afternoon that his second interception may have been even more impressive than his first. The Broncos' star defender broke up the pass, then picked it off following the deflection. Surtain's interception was the third of the day for Denver and marked his second career multi-interception game.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
Pat Surtain II recorded his second multi-interception game of his career and posted the second-longest pick-six in team history.
Riley Moss posted the first interception of his career, while Josh Reynolds added his first touchdown reception as a Bronco.
Bo Nix posted likely his best game as a pro, completing 19-of-27 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 117.2 quarterback rating. He also added five rushes for 13 yards and a touchdown.
