Elam Helps Broncos Eke Out MNF Win

ByABC News
November 13, 2000, 5:12 PM

D E N V E R, Nov. 13 -- Somehow, the Denver Broncos almost always beat theOakland Raiders.

Denver did it for the second time this season Monday night,winning 27-24 on Jason Elams 41-yard field goal on the final play of the game after Oakland had rallied from two touchdowns down in the second half to tie it with a little over a minute left.

It was the second loss this season for the Raiders (8-2) anddropped them into a tie for the NFLs best record with Tennessee, Miami, Minnesota and St. Louis. It ended a six-game winning streak that began after Denver beat them 33-24 in Oakland on Sept. 17.

Wild Card in Balance

The Broncos (6-4) are still two games behind the Raiders, whocould have just about wrapped up the AFC West with a win. ButDenver will have the tiebreaker if they can make up those games and the Broncos are in the thick of the AFC wild-card race.

Under coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos have beaten Oakland in 11 of their last 12 meetings.

The Broncos took a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter on an11-yard TD pass to Byron Chamberlain from Brian Griese, who missed a little more than one series with a bruised shoulder.

That capped a string of 17 straight points by the Broncos, whobroke a 10-10 tie in the third quarter when rookie Ian Gold blockedShane Lechlers punt and returned it 12 yards for a TD.

But the Raiders rallied for two TDs, the first on a 1-yard runby Zack Crockett, the second on a 22-yard pass from Rich Gannon toTim Brown with 1:06 left.

It was Broncos weather the temperature fell into the teens inthe second half and the wind chill was near zero.

Oakland Took First Half

But the Raiders, playing without running back Tyrone Wheatleyand kicker Sebastian Janikowski, dominated the first half,outgaining the Broncos 216-100. Oakland managed to lead by just10-7 because of three turnovers and a plethora of penalties.

Denver took a 7-0 lead just 3:28 into the game on Terrell Davis5-yard run after Ray Crockett intercepted a Gannon pass at theOakland 39 on the games third play from scrimmage.