1. Miller keeps the Broncos alive
After the Broncos' second-straight three-and-out, the Raiders again moved into the red zone. With a 3-0 lead and looking for more, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr dropped back on third-and-4 from the Broncos 12-yard line. That's when Von Miller showed his value. Miller bent under a Raiders offensive tackle Austin Howard – who was later benched – and blasted Carr before he had a chance to throw. With the sack, Miller made sure the Raiders would settle for a field goal and six of a possible 14 points in the red zone. As the game progressed, those early stops proved paramount to the Broncos' chances.
2. Norwood provides a spark
On third-and-1 from the Raiders 36-yard line, quarterback Trevor Siemian pulled off an extended play fake and rolled to his right deep in the backfield. With Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack bearing down on him, Siemian unleashed a deep shot down the right side of the field to a wide-open Jordan Norwood. The sixth-year player out of Penn State caught the ball as he fell to the ground and rolled into the end zone untouched. The touchdown pulled the Broncos within a score of the Raiders and capped Denver's first drive of the game with a first down. Earlier in the drive, a 23-yard toe-tapping catch by Demaryius Thomas ensured the Broncos would stay in business. Four plays later, Norwood would cash in.
3. McManus meets his mark -- twice
With Oakland up 20-6 with 1:19 to go in the first half, the Broncos didn't have much room for error. The Raiders were set to get the ball back at the beginning of the second half, which left Denver in desperate need of a score. Three first downs for the Broncos on the next possession would make that task a little easier. Siemian connected for passes of 11, 13 and 7 yards – and the Broncos were aided by a defensive holding penalty. The Broncos nearly came up with seven points as Emmanuel Sanders tried to bring in a deep ball, but kicker Brandon McManus made sure the Broncos would still narrow the gap. He nailed his first attempt from 55 yards, but an Oakland time out meant he would need to make the kick again. He did just that as time expired in the first half, and Denver went to the locker room down only 10 points.
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- Siemian's scramble**
Much of Sunday night's game was an offensive slog for the Broncos, but the best offensive play of the night may have come on a relatively innocuous play. After a pass interference call gave the Broncos some breathing room out of the shadow of their own goal line, Mack made things difficult for Denver. He sacked Siemian for a 9-yard loss, and the Broncos would soon face third-and-14. That's when Siemian made perhaps his finest play of the evening. Siemian danced around as the pocket collapsed around him, and he stepped into a throw to Sanders for 18 yards. Siemian's ability to keep his eyes down field as he avoided pressure gave the Broncos a first down, and a 26-yard throw to Virgil Green would put the Broncos in field goal range.
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- Bibbs bounces around**
With the Broncos down 30-13 with 5:34 to go in the fourth quarter, reserve running back Kapri Bibbs gave Denver a chance. Siemian dumped a short pass to Bibbs, who took off down the left side before weaving his way all the way back to the right. Bibbs picked up a few blocks, dodged tackles and rumbled 69 yards before diving into the end zone. Though the Broncos wouldn't complete the comeback, Bibbs provided an explosive play that at least momentarily gave Denver hope.
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The Broncos have other promotions here, in addition to following promotions available the day after the game:
- Download the McDonald's app for free Broncos gameday offers! Additionally, get a $1 Big Mac sandwich or Sausage McMuffin with Egg the day after every Broncos Game as well as 30 percent off any hat after every Broncos game at Denver Broncos Team Stores with the McDonald's key tag.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: If the Broncos make a field goal, you could win a free sharable at Buffalo Wild Wings!
- With two Broncos touchdowns, you score $1 roast beef sandwiches the day after a Broncos game at participating Arby’s.
