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A first for defensive TDs in league history

A first for defensive TDs in league history

The Broncos hold a 13-10 lead over the Raiders at halftime, thanks to a game-winning play by their best player and a hair-raising penalty from the Raiders.

Wil Lutz missed a 59-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half, but the Raiders were called for a personal foul, giving Denver's kicker another chance. Lutz made the second attempt from 44 yards out, giving the Broncos an unlikely advantage.

For much of the first half, the Broncos were unable to find a rhythm offensively.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey was the only wide receiver to catch a pass for the Broncos until the final drive of the second quarter, and he only had one (21 yards). Rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed 10 of 16 passes for 105 yards. Much of that yardage came on yards after the catch after hitting running back Javonte Williams near the line of scrimmage — and on a 19-yard pass to rookie Troy Franklin before the field goal.

The Broncos were 1 of 6 on third down and never advanced further than the Raiders' 33-yard line before a special teams penalty was called at the end of the half.

The difference was Pat Surtain II's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Raiders had a first-and-goal at the 5-yard line. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew tried to hit Brock Bowers near the goal, but as linebacker Jonah Elliss applied pressure, Minshew's pass flew up and into Surtain's arms. The All-Pro corner's return was the second-longest for a touchdown in team history, trailing only Aqib Talib's 103-yard return in a win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2017.

The Broncos have life. They get the ball at the start of the third quarter. Their defense seems to have settled in since Surtain's big game. But can they produce enough offensively to end an eight-game losing streak against the Raiders?

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