Biggest takeaways from Denver Broncos Week 1 loss vs. Raiders

The Denver Broncos open their 2023-2024 regular season with an embarrassing 17-16 loss at home against AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders. New season, new head coach, but the same exact week 1 result in back-to-back seasons (2022, loss at Seattle 16-17, Hackett at head coach).

Sean Payton's debut as the Denver Broncos head coach ended up with Denver's seventh consecutive loss against the Raiders.

Before going into the takeaways, let's talk about the game itself ...

Sean Payton started his era in Denver with an onside kick, that was recovered by the Broncos, but a penalty caused the Raiders to start their first offensive drive in Denver's 44-yard line.

Vegas had a good opening drive which ended in a Jakobi Meyers 3-yard touchdown. The Broncos started their first offensive drive in their own 14-yard line, due to a Justin Strnad holding penalty during the kickoff return after Meyers' touchdown. Despite starting in their own 14-yard line, Russell Wilson had a huge drive with a couple of big-time third down conversions and finished it with a five-yard touchdown pass to Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who was elevated from the practice squad early in the week, in 2nd and goal. Wilson completed 8 passes in 9 attempts on the first drive. Wil Lutz missed the extra point, so the Broncos were down by one. The Raiders converted a field goal and went up 10-6 in the second quarter. During that drive, Broncos' safety Caden Sterns, got injured, was carted off the field, and did not return. He had a knee injury but no timeline of his injury has been revealed.

The Broncos were on a roll on their second drive. They were in field goal range, but holding and a sack forced them to punt. Riley Dixon's punt was great, Las Vegas started their next drive in their own 5-yard line. The Broncos defense had a good drive and forced Vegas to punt, the Broncos had one last opportunity offensively before halftime. Denver started their drive with 2.30 minutes left in the half and in their own 25-yard line. Once again, the offense had a good drive, which ended in a Courtland Sutton 5-yard touchdown. Wilson had two incompletions in the entire first half (one was a spike to stop the clock).

Denver started the second half with the ball, Russell Wilson fumbled the ball in a scramble run, and Las Vegas recovered, but a Raiders' flag saved the drive. The Broncos could have extended the lead, but Wil Lutz missed a 55-yard field goal try. The Raiders were having a good drive, taking advantage of Lutz's missed field goal, but Kareem Jackson had a red-zone interception after a deflected pass by Alex Singleton on third down and goal.

The Broncos responded with a good drive but were forced to punt. A roughing the kicker penalty by the Raiders kept Denver's offensive drive alive. The Broncos had a third and goal, but Wilson was pressured, and forced to throw the ball away. Denver extended their lead to 16-10 with a field goal. The Raiders had a 75-yard offensive drive following the Broncos' field goal, which ended in a Jakobi Meyers touchdown, with 6 minutes and 34 seconds left in the clock.

The Broncos got the ball back but were forced to punt. They had a three-and-out for the first time in the game. Las Vegas got the clock running and had a 3rd down and seven after the two-minute warning. The Broncos had only one timeout. The Broncos sent pressure, but Jimmy Garoppolo escaped and scrambled to get the first down, and the win for the Raiders.

The Broncos start their season 0-1. With that being said, let's take a look at the key takeaways ...

1. Russell Wilson looks improved and more comfortable:

Russell Wilson looked more comfortable and improved compared to last season with Nathaniel Hackett. He was efficient, as he had only seven incompletions in the entire game (One was a spike to stop the clock with no timeouts before halftime). He had two passing touchdowns and no turnovers. He completed a pass to 10 different receivers. One important thing to mention is that Jerry Jeudy, Denver's WR1, did not play, and second-year tight end Greg Dulcich got injured in the second quarter and did not return. Let's see how he performs next week with Jeudy possibly back ...

2. Pass rush was AWFUL:

There are no excuses, the Broncos simply could not sack Jimmy Garoppolo in the entire game, and only had three QB hits. Excluding Baron Browning (PUP), everyone in the room was healthy, so once again, no excuses. I do not know why, but Vance Joseph did not put much pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo in the game, which was a huge issue for Denver. As I mentioned, making Garoppolo uncomfortable, was a way for the Broncos to win the game, but they were not able to.

3. Damarri Mathis was destroyed:

Damarri Mathis was beaten in both Raiders touchdowns, a big problem for Denver's defense. The second-year cornerback was destroyed by Jakobi Meyers and also allowed a big reception on Davante Adams in a 3rd-and-12 play. Rookie Riley Moss was inactive, but if Mathis continues to get beaten by opposing receivers, not only Moss could get the starting cornerback two spot, but quarterbacks will be constantly targeting him.

4. Dumb penalties killed the Broncos ... again

Discipline, something that head coach Sean Payton wants from his players ...

How many laps will Broncos players run tomorrow or the next day of practice around Centura Health Training Center? It all started on the very first play of the game, as the ball was touched by a Bronco before it passed 10 yards during the onside kick try. The Broncos were forced to punt due to flags ... Phillip Dorsett stepped out of bounds before catching the ball, etc. These are mistakes that you cannot have. Kareem Jackson had an awful hit on Jakobi Meyers on a third down and seven, on the last Raiders' drive, and that probably cost the game. The Broncos had 10 penalties for 83 yards.

5. Jacobs, Adams stopped, but not enough:

Stopping and slowing Raiders RB Josh Jacobs was key for the Broncos, as they had him under 50 rushing yards for the first time. He had his lowest yards/carry against the Broncos with 2.5 in his eighth game. All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams was locked down by Broncos All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain. Adams had six receptions for 66 yards, but only two catches and 11 yards were against Surtain. Stopping these two was key for Denver, but once again, it showed how bad was the pass rush.

6. Wil Lutz ... no comments on this one ... :

The Broncos traded for former Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz ahead of the season and had a rough debut ... He went 1 for 2 in both field goals and extra points. He missed a 55-yard field goal attempt. Four points that the Broncos could have had. Denver lost by one point, yes one. After the game, Lutz said the following ...

7. Week 1 result does not define your season:

Yes, many may be overreacting after Denver's week 1 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it cannot define your season. Safety, and team captain Justin Simmons said the following after the game ...

""It's week 1, no one is throwing in the towel.""

Justin Simmons

It is a long season, and there are a lot of things to improve ...

Next week, the Broncos are back at home against Washington, looking to get their first win of the season ...