Raiders’ defense takes out frustration on Broncos


Nov 26, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders held the Denver Broncos to 219 net yards and 12 first downs on Sunday in John Pagano’s debut as defensive coordinator.

Pagano, Oakland’s assistant head coach/defense, replaced Ken Norton Jr., who was fired Tuesday. The Raiders had five sacks and their first interception of the season in a 21-14 victory at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin and defensive end Denico Autry each had two sacks, and defensive end Khalil Mack had one. Middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman had an interception in the end zone in the second quarter.

“I think guys just let it go,” Irvin said. “We’ve been hearing all year how we’re last in sacks, last in sacks, and I think guys just finally got fed up enough. We did a great job as a D-line as a whole rushing our tails off and getting to the QB and affecting him today.”

Pagano, who was the then-San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator the previous five seasons, often had Mack line up in the middle on third downs, which seemed to create opportunities on the outside.

“Wherever he is, they’re going to focus on him and the other three guys have to do their job in winning one-on-ones,” Irvin said. “I think we did a really good job of that today.”

–Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib were ejected with 11:56 left in the first quarter after a fight. But fellow Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. accused Crabtree of sucker punching him on the previous play.

“I guess his initiative was to come out there and fight today,” Harris said. “I guess it wasn’t to play football. He came out there, just punched me in the stomach and I lost my breath. He just sucker-punched me. I’ve never seen that in the NFL.”

Crabtree wasn’t available for comment after the game.

–Sunday’s game marked Denver’s first under interim offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, who took over for the fired Mike McCoy. Musgrave was Oakland’s offensive coordinator the previous two seasons, but Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio decided to replace him with quarterbacks coach Todd Downing.

“I know Bill did a great job, especially in the fourth quarter to get us back into the football game,” Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter in relief of injured starter Paxton Lynch.

“It was real good, just a little different,” Siemian said of Musgrave, his quarterbacks coach, calling the plays. “We’re all adjusting to it on the fly, but that’s the way it is. It was good.”