Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates a first down during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Stadium in Denver on Sun Sep 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The 2023 NFL season got underway in earnest starting with Thursday Night Football. Sunday, 28 teams took the field with the Las Vegas Raiders taking on the Denver Broncos in Denver. This was Jimmy Garoppolo’s debut with the Raiders and it was also Sean Payton’s debut as head coach of the Broncos. Despite the deafening noise that is a part of Mile High the Raiders prevailed 17-16

RECAP-After one quarter, the Raiders had a slim lead 7-6 although at the half Las Vegas trailed 13-10. Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter and the Raiders till trailed by three points. It all turned around for Las Vegas in the fourth quarter.

The Broncos kicked a 24 yard field goal extending their lead 16-10. Jimmy Garoppolo capped off a 75 yard drive finding Jakobi Meyers for six yards and the touchdown.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw two touchdown passes to fellow newcomer Jakobi Meyers. He finished with 200 passing yards and Meyers pulled in 81 yards off of nine receptions. The Broncos did intercept a pass in the end zone with 6:34 remaining in the game but despite that the Raiders were able to win on that final drive.

They held the Broncos offense hanging onto the slim lead. In the final minutes of the game, the Raiders held Denver to their only three and out in the game. The Raiders got the ball back with five minutes left in the game and the Broncos never got it back.

It was a horrible showing for the Bronco special teams especially from kicker Will Lutz. He missed two field goals wide right, very shocking from the usually reliable kicker. This was the biggest problem for the Broncos in this game.

Russell Wilson finished with 177 yards and was 27 of 34. He also had two touchdowns in the game. Javonte Williams led the Broncos with 52 yards on 13 rushes. This was his first game since a serious knee injury nearly a year ago sidelined him.

The Raiders only had 61 yards rushing but it was Josh Jacobs who finished with 48 yards. It’s a sure bet that he will continue to rack up the yards as the season goes on. The bottom line in this game was that this was not a pretty win. The Raiders had to get the job done and that’s just what they did.

The Raiders will take on the Buffalo Bills in week two of the 2023 season. The Bills will take on the New York Jets on Monday night football in their opener. It will be a short week for Buffalo, this game being played at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.

Sunday’s Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 AM and the weather at game-time is being forecasted at 64 degrees. Las Vegas played in great conditions avoiding the frigid weather that comes along later in the season.