Recap: Denver Broncos start slow, finish strong en route to defeat Oakland Raiders, 41-17.

Nov 9, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs with the ball before scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos started out the game Sunday afternoon slow and sluggish, but came around and finished strong en route to defeat the Oakland Raiders, 41-17.

The start to this football game was gross – and by gross, I mean very gross. Denver received the ball first and their offense looked nostalgic. Peyton Manning was picked off by D.J. Hayden, setting Oakland up in prime field position. Denver’s defense kept Oakland to three points on a Sebastian Janikowski 41-yard field goal – putting Oakland up early, 3-0.

Denver responded, but not with a touchdown. The play calling was horrific, calling screen pass after screen pass. Brandon McManus tied the ball game up at 3-3 with a 20-yard field goal late in the first quarter. After an Oakland punt, Denver drove down to the red-zone, ensuing another McManus field goal, this time from 28-yards out giving Denver a 6-3 lead.

Denver would get the ball right back after another Oakland punt but wouldn’t keep it for long. On the first-play from the drive, Manning’s pass was tipped at the line and floated in the air just long enough for Justin Tuck to get his hands on it – resulting in an interception – Manning’s 2nd of the game. Denver set up Derek Carr and company with good field position as Carr found Brice Butler for a 5-yard touchdown pass – 10-6 Oakland.

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C.J. Anderson stole the show late in the second half – saving the Broncos from potentially trailing Oakland at halftime. Manning found C.J. on a broken screen play on 3rd-&-8, taking it 51-yards for the score. Denver’s defense stood it’s ground, getting the ball back. Manning connected with Emmanuel Sanders for a 32-yard strike to put Denver up 20-10 at the half. C.J. had 123 total yards entering the break, including a receiving touchdown to propel Denver’s offense.

It didn’t take long for Denver to get on the board in the third quarter. After a 3-and-out from Oakland, Manning hit Julius Thomas on a 10-yard slant-route to push Denver’s lead to 28-10. Denver kept the peddle to the metal. Manning connected with Orange Julius yet again on 4th & 1 – a 32-yard strike pushing the lead to 34-10.

Denver’s defense was good as noted earlier. T.J. Ward picked off Derek Carr on the following Oakland drive, setting Denver up in good field position. And what do you know, Manning collected his 5th touchdown pass of the afternoon to Emmanuel Sanders to push Denver’s lead to 41-10.

Denver sat Peyton Manning in the fourth quarter to give way to back-up Brock Osweiler. Oakland notched one more final score with 48 seconds remaining as Derek Carr found Mychal Rivera for the touchdown. Denver held on to the 41-17 victory.

The Denver Broncos (7-2) stay on the road next week as they travel to take on the St. Louis Rams. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST, 11:00 PM MST from the Edwards Jones Dome.