OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Latavius Murray ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns and the Oakland Raiders showed they were ready for prime time, beating the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos 30-20 on Sunday night.
In what was being billed as the biggest game in Oakland since the team went to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, the Raiders (7-2) put together a complete effort to overpower the Broncos (6-3) and take over sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
Derek Carr threw for 184 yards and did not turn the ball over, Khalil Mack had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and the Raiders outrushed Denver 218-33 behind a dominant performance in the trenches.
The performance was to the delight of an energetic crowd at the Coliseum, excited to host a prime time Sunday night game for the first time in more than a decade. After 13 straight seasons without a playoff berth or winning record, the Raiders have shown they are ready to contend in the AFC in the second season under coach Jack Del Rio.
Oakland got off to its best start in 15 years by beating up on lesser teams, but the win over the defending champion Broncos showed the progress the franchise has made since starting 0-10 two years ago.