NFL Week 1 Game Recap: Las Vegas Raiders 17, Denver Broncos 16

Two AFC West teams with a lot to prove kicked off the season with a back-and-forth battle that ended with a key third-down scramble from new Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to seal the victory.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson looked far more competent in his debut with head coach Sean Payton, but ultimately couldn’t do enough to secure a victory.

Offensive spotlight: The Russell Wilson-Sean Payton era got off to a clean but unexplosive start, with Wilson completing 27-of-34 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Javonte Williams looked crisp despite returning from the devastating injury he suffered in 2022, totaling 52 yards on 13 carries to go along with four receptions. 

Raiders free-agent wide receiver Jakobi Meyers got off to a tremendous start with his new squad, hauling in nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, but he had to leave the game early after Broncos safety Kareem Jackson delivered a crushing blow to his head/neck area on a catch over the middle. 

Defensive spotlight: Broncos veteran safety Kareem Jackson had a critical interception of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the end zone on the 13th play of a Raiders drive, keeping Denver in the game down to the wire. Denver held the Raiders to a paltry 2.1 yards per carry on 29 rushing attempts, with star Raiders running back Josh Jacobs totaling just 48 carries on 19 totes. 

Raiders edge defender Maxx Crosby recorded his first sack of the 2023 season and added a tackle for loss, doing his part to hold the Broncos to just 4.5 yards per play and 16 points. 

Rookie spotlight: Rookie cornerback Jakorian Bennett tallied seven tackles on the afternoon as the Raiders defense kept the Broncos passing attack in check.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving