Raiders see 8-game win streak vs. Broncos end in 34-18 loss amid penalties, turnovers and drama

DENVER (AP) — The reeling Raiders are dealing with drama, dysfunction and now an ugly defeat against a Denver Broncos team they’d owned ever since moving to Las Vegas in 2020.

This one started out so well, too, before turning so ugly.

Gardner Minshew threw a momentum-turning pick-six in the second quarter before later being benched and the Raiders committed 11 penalties as they saw their eight-game winning streak over the Broncos halted Sunday in a 34-18 loss.

“I don't think there are any positives when you lose,” said Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, whose QBs threw three interceptions.

Now, it's re-evaluation time for the Raiders (2-3) as questions hover over them.

There's still the situation with Davante Adams, the talented receiver who missed Sunday's game because of a hamstring injury. He’s not only banged up but apparently on the trading block. The Raiders reportedly have had conversations with several teams since early last week when Adams told the team he preferred to play elsewhere.

Las Vegas did have back pass rusher Maxx Crosby from an ankle sprain. He had two sacks of rookie QB Bo Nix, who threw for 206 yards and two TD passes.

“I could have 10 sacks and we lose, I’m not going to be happy,” Crosby said. “It sucks."

Things started promisingly for Minshew and the Raiders as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead. They were on the doorstep of making it 17-3 in the second quarter after driving to the Denver 5-yard line. Minshew rolled out and overthrew his target, tight end Brock Bowers, and the pass went right into the hands of Pat Surtain II, who raced 100 yards for the score.

Just like that, it was 10-10.

“I killed our momentum with the pick-six,” said Minshew, who threw for 137 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions before being replaced. “I didn’t even do a good enough job of giving us a shot to be competitive in the game. That’s on me.”

Surtain's pick opened the door for the Broncos (3-2) to beat the Raiders for the first time since Dec. 29, 2019. That also happened to be the last game for the Oakland Raiders before the franchise moved to Las Vegas.

Minshew's performance possibly opened the door for Aidan O’Connell, who came in late in the third quarter and trailing 20-10. He finished 10 of 20 for 94 yards and one pick (another by Surtain).

Pierce sidestepped whether O’Connell might be under center next weekend when the injury-riddled Raiders host Pittsburgh, saying only, “I don't know."

He was alarmed at the penalties, though — 11 for 79 yards. One of them was a call on Janarius Robinson with no time left in the first half for using “leverage” on a 59-yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz. Although the kick sailed wide left, Lutz got another chance thanks to the penalty and drilled a 44-yarder to give Denver a 13-10 lead at the break.

“Two of the things we talk about that we cannot do on the road — turn the football over and (commit) penalties,” Pierce said. “Those two things we led by a large margin and that’s not good.”

A resolution with Adams may soon be looming. Adams said on his weekly spot on the “Up and Adams Show” that he hadn’t heard from Pierce since a screenshot appeared of Pierce appearing to like a social media post about possibly trading the receiver.

Just another drama-filled week for the Raiders.

“You think I’m not used to this (stuff) going on?” Crosby said. "I've dealt with it my whole career. It is what it is. Davante is my boy. I love Davante, and he’s going to do what he’s going to do. Praying for him, wish him the best.

“But we’re focused on the Raiders, we're focused on who’s here now, and we’re focused on winning. Got to find ways to do that.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) reacts after his interception intended for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Teammates surround Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) after his interception intended for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce responds to a question after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell looks downfield during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce reacts on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew walks off the field after the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dave Giusti, a reliable reliever who spent 15 years in the majors and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series title, has died. He was 86.

The club, citing Giusti's family, said he died on Sunday.

The right-hander went 100-93 with a 3.60 ERA in 668 career appearances for five clubs from 1962-77. He began his career as a starter in Houston but had his greatest success with the Pirates, who acquired him from St. Louis in October 1969 and then moved him to the bullpen full-time.

Giusti led the National League with 30 saves in 1971, then added 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs as the Pirates beat the Giants in the NLCS and then the Baltimore Orioles in seven games in the World Series.

Giusti made his lone All-Star appearance in 1973. He played seven seasons for Pittsburgh, registering 133 saves, which ranks third in franchise history. He split time between Oakland and the Chicago Cubs in 1977 before retiring.

A native of Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti played collegiately at Syracuse before being signed by Houston, then an expansion team known as the Colt .45s, as an amateur free agent. He appeared in 22 games as a rookie in 1962, spent all of 1963 in the minors before returning to the majors for good after being called up during the 1964 season.

Giusti is survived by his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Pitcher Dave Giusti, a member of the 1971 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, takes part in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the championship season before of a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets in Pittsburgh, July 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)