FLASH RECAP:
Oakland (3-8) erupts for three unanswered touchdowns in the second half en route to a stunning 31-10 victory over Denver (6-5) before an announced crowd of 76,067 fans at Invesco Field at Mile High on Nov. 23, 2008.
Darren McFadden scores two of three Oakland touchdowns on 1-yard runs to help the Raiders win for only the third time in the past 14 road games against the Broncos.
McFadden's first TD ends a 15-quarter touchdown drought for the Oakland offense.
The Raiders score three TDs in 18 plays against the Broncos after going 205 plays without an offensive touchdown.
Go figure.
"A lot of guys were emotional in here (Raiders locker room) because we know we are a good team," strong safety Gibril Wilson tells reporters after Oakland ends a four-game losing streak. "As soon as we learn to win, do the little things all the time, this team is going to do great things in the future."
JaMarcus Russell is 10-of-11 passing for 152 yards, including a 4-yard TD toss to former Bronco Ashley Lelie. Russell completes his first nine passes.
Denver's Jay Cutler struggles after a fast start and finishes 16-of-37 passing for 204 yards with no TDs and an interception for a woeful 49.8 passer rating.
Justin Fargas has 107 of the Raiders' 158 rushing yards.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
WR Ashley Lelie — The former Bronco has 4 catches for 92 yards and a TD. Lelie's 51-yard catch sets up Darren McFadden's 1-yard TD run in the third quarter after the Broncos deadlock the score at 10-all.
Raiders O-line — The oft-maligned unit dominates the Broncos' D-line in the second half as Oakland scores 21 unanswered points. The Raiders have 158 rushing yards, are successful on 8 of 13 third-down situations and allow no sacks.
QB JaMarques Russell — Is 10-of-11 passing for 152 yards and one TD with no interceptions for an NFL career-best 149.8 rating.
CB Chris Johnson — Is outstanding in one-on-one pass coverage against Broncos WRs Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. Royal finishes with 2 catches for 14 yards. During their 2008 season opener, Royal burned the Oakland defense for 146 receiving yards on 9 catches.
RB Peyton Hillis — The rookie from the University of Arkansas has 74 rushing yards on 17 carries and a TD.
WR Brandon Marshall — Has 4 catches for 84 yards.
WR Brandon Stokley — Contributes 5 catches for 44 yards.
KEY STATS:
Darren McFadden's 1-yard touchdown run in the third period is Oakland's first offensive touchdown in 16 quarters.
Oakland is 8 of 13 in third-down conversions. The Raiders entered the game converting a league-worst 22.1 percent on third downs.
THEY SAID IT:
"It has just been a lot of hard work. And we’re getting here. I know you think I’m crazy when I said that for the last month but, the bottom line is, I just believe in our players and I believe in what we’re trying to do.
"So you just keep pushing and when you do it (well) enough, long enough, something good is going to happen. So, I’m just happy. … (Against the Broncos) was a good day for the Raiders."
Raiders coach Tom Cable
"Ever since I left, this is what I wanted to do—to come back to Invesco and show I’ve still got it. Come back and kind of put it to the people who didn’t think I was good enough.”
Raiders WR Ashley Lelie
BY THE NUMBERS:
3: Raiders offensive touchdowns, ending a 15-quarter drought.
4: Ashley Lelie receptions for 92 yards and a TD. The first-year Raider entered the game with seven catches for 105 yards for the season.
7-21: Raiders record against Mike Shanahan-coached Broncos teams.
DID YOU KNOW?:
With the victory, the Raiders improve to 6-28 in their past 34 games against AFC West opposition. Three of those wins (2004, 2007 & 2008) came against Denver (2004, 2007 & 2008).
Oakland's Johnnie Lee Higgins returns a punt for a touchdown for the second straight game. His 89-yard return against the Broncos follows a 93-yarder against the Dolphins on Nov. 16.
Oakland's Ashley Lelie catches a TD pass as Denver's
Jamie Winborn (51) and Spencer Larsen (46) defend.
