FLASH RECAP:
Jason Elam's 23-yard field goal with 5:48 left in overtime gives Denver (2-0) a victory over Oakland before an announced crowd of 76,784 at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sept. 16, 2007.
Despite erasing a 17-3 halftime deficit, the Raiders (0-2) suffer their 15th straight loss against AFC West opposition, 12th straight road loss and 11th straight overall loss.
Oakland appears to earn the victory when Sebastain Janikowski kicks a 52-yard field goal on the Raiders' first possession of overtime.
Hold that.
The game officials rule that the Broncos called timeout before the kick. On the re-kick, Janikowski's kick strikes the top of the left upright before bouncing to the left of the goal post.
The Broncos then drive 52 yards in eight plays to the Oakland 6 before Elam kicks his third field goal of the game.
On Janikowski’s first field goal try in overtime, television replays show that side judge Byron Boston, indeed, signaled a Broncos timeout before the ball is snapped. Numerous Raiders tell reporters after the game that said they knew the play didn’t count.
"I heard the whistle," left offensive tackle Barry Sims said. "Most of the guys heard it, but it doesn’t make it any less good. That’s a tough one."
Said Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp: "I’ve been in this league too long to know that (Broncos coach Mike) Shanahan is going to call timeout. But I’ve never seen someone call a timeout and the defense still rushed the kick."
The Raiders lose their fifth straight game to the Broncos and are 1-8 in their past nine games against Denver.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
QB Jay Cutler — Completes 23 of 33 passes for 269 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. Cutler is 2-of-2 passing for 13 yards on Denver's game-winning drive.
RB Travis Henry — Rushes four times for 20 yards on the Broncos final drive to set up Jason Elam's game-winning kick. Henry finishes with 128 rushing yards on 26 carries.
WR Javon Walker — Contributes eight catches for 101 yards.
RB LaMont Jordan — Has a career-high 159 rushing yards on 25 carries.
OLB Thomas Howard — His 44-yard TD return of a Jay Cutler pass gives Oakland a 20-17 lead with 8:55 remaining in regulation. Howard finishes with nine solo tackles and a fumble recovery.
DT Gerard Warren — The former Bronco has a safety on a third-quarter sack of Jay Cutler, narrowing Oakland's deficit to 17-12.
GOAT:
Raiders QB Josh McCown. Playing with foot and hand injuries sustained in Week 1, McCown throws three interceptions and passes for only 73 yards on 8-of-16 passing for a 44.0 efficiency rating. He also is sacked four times.
KEY STAT:
The Raiders have only 53 net passing yards.
TURNING POINT:
After the Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski misses a 52-yard field goal attempt with 11:13 left in the extra period, the Broncos drive 52 yards in eight plays before Jason Elam kicks the game-winning 23-yard field goal.
THEY SAID IT:
Broncos K Jason Elam
"They stole it from us and we stole it right back."
"It was tough because you go from total elation, you're excited, you came on the road and got a win, and it takes the wind right out of you. It's unfortunate for 'Seabass' (Janikowski). He nailed it, the first one."
Raiders QB Josh McCown
"I came off the field saying, ‘Every year, it’s something.’ It’s not just here, but against Denver, period. And Kansas City. That’s the most frustrating part. We just need to break the cycle."
Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha
BY THE NUMBERS:
15: Raiders consecutive losses against AFC West opposition.
20-5: Mike Shanahan's record against Oakland as Denver coach.
53: Raiders net passing yards against the Broncos.
441: Broncos total yards compared to 253 yards for the Raiders.
DID YOU KNOW?:
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan improves to 20-5 against the Raiders. Shanahan was fired by the Raiders after an 8-12 record in 1988 and 1989.
The Broncos win their eighth straight home opener, which is a franchise record. They're 21-3 in home openers since 1984.
Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski reacts after
missing a 52-yard field goal attempt during overtime.
