After one half of play, there are records being set at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, but the Denver Broncos are not dominating the Oakland Raiders on the scoreboard in the same way that they are in the box score. Denver carries a 12-0 lead into the locker room wile carrying a 224 to -12 yardage advantage. Yes, that’s not a typo. It’s the lowest in team history since at least 1991, per the team.
Both Demaryius Thomas and Von Miller moved into exclusive company in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Raiders, joining some of the greatest Broncos of all-time. Miller became just the third player ever to post four consecutive 10-sack seasons, while Thomas joined Rod Smith as only the second ever Broncos wide receiver with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Meanwhile, the Denver defense had its best half of the season, holding the Raiders to -17 yards passing. Defensive end Malik Jackson told Mile High Sports AM 1340 earlier in the week that the defense hasn’t played a perfect game yet. Well, after allowing just one first down, which came on a penalty.
Still, the Broncos weren’t perfect in the first half. Denver failed to convert for touchdowns on three drives in which Denver had the ball inside the Raiders 25-yard line. That kind of performance may be good enough to beat the Raiders, but as Shannon Sharpe pointed out, it won’t be enough to win in the playoffs.
As always, the team from MHS was all over the action as it unfolded, offering commentary and insight via social media. Here’s what they had to say, along with some of our favorite follows from the Denver media on the big storylines of the first half.
Von Miller continues to make history, and all on the first series of the day…
Von Miller just joined Paul Smith (4) and Simon Fletcher (5) as the only Broncos players in history with four 10-sack seasons.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 13, 2015
That was Von Miller's 5th week in a row with a sack, longest active streak in the NFL.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 13, 2015
Broncos' @Millerlite40 is only the 11th player in NFL history to have at least four 10+sack seasons thru his 1st 5 seasons.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 13, 2015
Von Miller also forced a fumble on sack, increasing his season forced fumble total to 4. No NFL player has more forced fumbles this year.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 13, 2015
Not to be outdone, DT sets some records of his own…
Demaryius Thomas now has 1,004 yards this season, joining Rod Smith as the only Broncos' player w/ at least 4 straight 1,000-yd seasons.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 13, 2015
w/that catch, Broncos WR @DemaryiusT has posted his 4th consecutive 1,000-yd receiving season, tying AJ Green for longest active NFL streak.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 13, 2015
The Broncos defense wasn’t perfect, but it nearly was in the first quarter…
Broncos allow only 1 yard of offense to Oakland in the 1st qtr, marking their 5th-fewest yards allowed in a 1st qtr in at least 25 yrs.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 13, 2015
Total yardage after 1Q: @Broncos 104, Raiders 1. Broncos have an 8-1 advantage in first downs. 10:25-4:15 edge in time of possession.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 13, 2015
#Broncos net 104 yards. #Raiders net only 1! Pretty lopsided but still a one score game.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) December 13, 2015
And they kept it rolling in the second quarter…
Derek Wolfe all over Carr. #SACK. #Broncos defense just dominating the #Raiders.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) December 13, 2015
Remeber that ONE yard #Raiders had after the1st quarter… Now, it's negative yards for the game. #Broncos
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) December 13, 2015
17 minutes into this game the Raiders have -14 yards. #Bronco D is frightening
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) December 13, 2015
The Broncos weren’t lighting up the scoreboard, but they were keeping the ball out of the Raiders’ hands…
8:37 scoring drive was #Broncos' second longest of the season. #OAKvsDEN pic.twitter.com/MfVLva2SSf
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 13, 2015
The biggest concern? The red zone offense continues to struggle…
https://twitter.com/carlinrobin/status/676160959178641408
Three drives inside the Oakland 25, three field goals. Broncos leaving a lot of chances unrealized to their potential. Their lead is 9-0.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 13, 2015
And struggle…
Brock goes 0 for 3 after a 1st and Goal. At least they let him throw. #Broncos take 12-0 lead with 0:04 left in the half.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 13, 2015
Peter Burns (formerly of Mile High Sports) summed up the Broncos first half offense perfectly…
https://twitter.com/PeterBurnsESPN/status/676166411794956290
