Reoccurring issues doom Raiders once again in loss to Broncos

The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Las Vegas Raiders.

On Sunday, the Raiders dropped their seventh straight contest, falling to the Denver Broncos 24-17 at Allegiant Stadium.

Unlike the last time these two teams faced off, there never felt to be any doubt about this game. The Broncos had control throughout most of the game, and it showed as things went on.

Here is how the Raiders spiraled in a game that has felt like one the fans have seen before

Special teams woes continue

There can be no blaming Tom McMahon for the continued struggles of the Raiders special teams.

In the second quarter, the Raiders appeared to have punt returner Marvin Mims cornered at around midfield. Instead, Mims broke away from three would-be tacklers and found a clear lane en route to a touchdown. The Broncos would never relinquish the lead after that, and the theme of missed tackles for the Raiders was not more apparent than during that sequence.

Denver defense feasts

Add the Broncos to the list of teams that outmuscled the Raiders in the trenches.

Along with Ashton Jeanty being unable to do anything of note once again, the Broncos were able to tee off against Geno Smith. The Broncos landed  four sacks on the day, as well as being able to land multiple hits, resulting in Smith taking hand and shoulder injuries that ultimately knocked him out of the game. It felt like a matter of time until the porous offensive line play did lasting damage to Smith, and the bill finally came in this game.

Wearing them down

While the Broncos did not beat the Raiders with explosive plays, they instead beat them through unparalleled efficiency.

The Broncos’ two touchdown drives took the majority of the time in the first and third quarters, each lasting around nine minutes. In the fourth quarter, the Broncos would all but ice the game with a ten-minute drive that saw them drive down the field before settling for an easy Wil Lutz field goal. The Raiders defense simply could not stop the Broncos from enforcing their will on offense, and it showed in the serious discrepancy in time of possession.