Raiders end season .500 after win over Broncos in finale

After missing out on a two-point conversion and losing by a point in last year’s season finale, the Las Vegas Raiders tried again and was successful this time around.

The Raiders beat the Denver Broncos, 32-31, on the road Sunday, January 3 to improve to end a three-game losing streak.

With the win, Vegas improves to 8-8 on the season and 6-2 on the road.

In addition, the Raiders went 4-2 in the AFC West, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best mark in the division.

It marks the second straight season with an improved overall record under head coach Jon Gruden.

The Broncos end the season 5-11, two games worse than it’s record last season.

Vegas blocked a field goal with just two seconds remaining in regulation. It was the second blocked field goal in the game for the Raiders.

Denver kicker Brandon McManus went 3-for-6 on field goals during the season finale loss.

The blocked field goal was needed after the Raiders had to overcome a 15-point fourth quarter by the Broncos, including a 92-yard touchdown reception by rookie Jerry Jeudy.

In addition, Vegas had to make two comeback efforts in the final 15 minutes.

Majority of this rescue effort came on the backend of three turnovers in five snaps for the Raiders between the third and fourth quarters.

Two of the turnovers were interceptions thrown by quarterback Derek Carr, who had seven interceptions coming into Week 17.

The other was a fumble by rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs.

Vegas also lost a fumble in the first hand after tight end Darren Waller fumbled.

As a team, the Raiders committed 14 penalties which resulted in 111 penalty yards, giving them another thing to overcome.

However, the team settled down on a 28-yard touchdown run by second-year rusher Josh Jacobs with 7:27 left in the game.

That capped off a nine-play, 90-yard drive.

Jacobs finished with 89 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns, including the game-tying score -- giving him 12 on the season.

He has now rushed for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons to open his career.

Carr went 24-for-38, for 371 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

He finishes his season with a career-high 4,103 yards to go along with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a career-best 101.4 rating in 2020.

Waller set a new franchise record for receptions on a third and three conversion in the fourth quarter.

The former wide receiver-turned-tight end finished the game with nine receptions, 117 yards and a touchdown.

He also scored the game-winning two-point conversion.

Wide receiver Nelson Agholor continued to add to his career year with another reception going for 57 yards.

Agholor ends the year with a career-high 896 yards and tied his career-high with eight touchdowns.

Tight end Jason Witten played in his 271st game, passing Tony Gonzalez for second-most all-time by a tight end.

Witten is now 10 games behind Trey Junkin’s 281-mark for the most all-time by a tight end.