The problem is, the Raiders did have a chance in this game.
After spotting the Broncos a 13-0 lead that easily could have been 21-0, the offense had perhaps its best offensive drive of 2012, marching 80 yards on 14 plays to make it 13-7. The touchdown play was something we hadn't seen much out of from Greg Knapp this year: deception and variety.
Carson Palmer faked a screen to the right, then came back with a screen to Darren McFadden, who walked into the end zone.
After stopping Peyton Manning and Denver's offense with a sack, they opened the second half with a run from McFadden of 2010 and 2011, a nifty 36-yard gallop down the right side that seemed to suggest the Raiders might punch Denver in the face (metaphorically of course) and make this a game.
Alas, it was not to be. The offense immediately stalled and continued to stall for the better part of the second half. And it was a shame, because the defense played its heart out, amassing three sacks (most of 2012 in a single game) and largely holding the Broncos despite bad field position.
Ultimately it was not enough. The only thing positive about the fourth quarter was Darrius Heyward-Bey's catch and run for a 56-yard touchdown. By then, the game was over, and now the Raiders are 3-10 and perhaps in a position for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
Here is a recap of the five keys I had for a Raiders stunner Thursday and how they measured up.
Flashback Football
I wanted to see the vertical game.
Not because of anything Al Davis glowingly spoke about, but because the Raiders seemed best suited to get big bursts rather than...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
