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Elam Saves the Day for Denver Once Again

Jeremiah O. Sarkett |Sep 17,2007

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Elam Saves the Day for Denver Once Again

The Denver Broncos' coaching staff and Mike Shanahan may have called their best timeout ever on Sunday.

Sebastian Janikowski linedup and nailed the game winning field goal at 11:13 in overtime and the game was over, right? Wrong. Denver's staff had in actuality, called a time out just before the snap. After the lengthy time out, Janikowski's 52 yard kick hit the top of the left post and ended any hopes for an Oakland victory.

"Nobody was aware they called timeout," stated Oakland's rookie coach Lane Kiffin. "They rushed just like there wasn't a timeout. Maybe somebody's got to tell me the rule. They should tell the ref to blow it just before he kicks it."

Shanahan knew exactly when to call it and ice Janikowski, right as long snapper Jon Condo looked up and attempted to snap the ball back- perfect timing.

The Raiders played hard all game and forced Denver into some dicey situations while overcoming a two-touchdown deficit. Linebacker Thomas Howard intercepted Jay Cutler's tipped pass and jolted 44 yards for a touchdown and after the two-point conversion Oakland had climbed back and where ahead 20-17.

The Broncos tied it on Jason Elam's 20 yard field goal with 2:18 left, and Dre Bly who was burned for a 46 yard toucdown by Jerry Porter earlier, intercepted Josh McCown's deep pass to Porter in the final minute, ensuring the overtime berth.

The game started with two Oakland interceptions, Travis Henry running the ball effectively and a 25-minute delay due to lightning in the area. Then came the wild second half and overtime of this passionate rivalry.

This victory was not nearly as frenetic a finish as the one last week in Buffalo but it was just as satisfying to the Broncos (2-0), who won their eighth straight home opener and handed the Raiders (0-2) their 11th straight loss overall.

"It was tough," Raiders quarterback McCown said. "Because you go from total elation, you're excited, you came on the road and got a win, and it takes the wind right out of you. It's unfortunate for 'Seabass.' He nailed it, the first one."

From My Note Pad

•   Henry added another 100 yard game, totaling 128 yards on 26 carries. Henry looks to be an ideal fit for the Denver zone-blocking scheme. Fantasy owners and Denver fans are loving Henry right now.
•   Javon Walker led the Broncos receivers with eight catches for 101 yards.
•   Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley chipped in with fine games. Marshall had 82 yards on five catches and Stokley added a touchdown and 43 yards.
•   The Broncos were able to get pressure on the quarterback and Elvis Dumervil added two sacks and rookie Jarvis Moss recorded his first NFL sack.
•   Champ Bailey had his first interception of 2007 and Bly also recorded a pick for Denver.
•   Mike Shanahan is now 20-5 against the Raiders all-time and is now 12-1 in home openers.
•   Elam has won two consecutive games for Denver with some clutch kicking and went three-for-four on Sunday. "I'll be happy when we start putting some teams away early," Elam said.
•   Denver was swallowed up in the middle on defense as Lamont Jordan gashed the Broncos for a career best 159 yards on 25 carries.
•   In the first two weeks, Denver has given up 90 yards to rookie Marshawn Lynch of Buffalo and 159 yards to Jordan. What will happen when Denver plays a top-tier back and offensive line, 200 rushing yards plus?