On the first Raiders series following Matt Prater’s field goal, Oakland faced a third-and-9 from their own 20-yard line. Quarterback Carson Palmer connected with wideout Rod Streater for a 58-yard gain, moving the Raiders to the Denver 22-yard line.
On the following play, Palmer threw near the end zone to try to turn the momentum in the home team’s favor.
He was looking for his tight end, Brandon Meyers, but instead, cornerback Champ Bailey cut in front of the pass for the interception. Bailey returned the pick – his second of the year – to the Raiders 21-yard line, where the Denver offense took over.
The interception was Bailey’s third pick in his last two games at Oakland and the 52nd of his career which ties for 26th in NFL history.
His total ranks third in the NFL since 1999 and is the most among cornerbacks. He also tied Tyrone Braxton for the fourth-most interceptions in Broncos history.
Tight end Joel Dreessen started it off with a 13-yard reception, and running back Knowshon Moreno moved the chains again with gains of 7 and 5 yards.
On first down from the Denver 46, quarterback Peyton Manning hit wide receiver Demaryius Thomas near the sideline, as Thomas tapped his toes in bounds for a 15-yard pickup.
Running back Ronnie Hillman then gained 12 yards to the Oakland 27, and Manning followed that up with another first-down toss to Thomas, who finished the play by leveling an Oakland defender with a strong stiff arm.
Following a sack on Manning, the Broncos faced a third-and-14 from their own 16. Manning threw for Jacob Tamme in the end zone, but the pass was high and Matt Prater came on for his second attempt.
Prater was good from 34 yards to give Denver a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.
On the drive, the Broncos gained a first down on four consecutive plays and moved the chains a total of five times.
Following the field goal drive, Manning is 11-of-15 for 142 yards and a touchdown, with a quarterback rating of 124.9.
Tags: Gameday Coverage, Oakland Raiders, Week 14