The Oakland Raiders started the season on a bad note with a rough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, but bounced back winning two in a row to put them at 2-1 on the year.  At that time, the Raiders gained some recognition and looked to be a team set to contend throughout the season.

Now, they have lost two in a row falling to 2-3 on the season, with several questions moving forward.

Week 4’s loss to the Chicago Bears was a tough pill to swallow for this team, as they had them stopped with a fourth down do or die play, but allowed them to convert and march downfield for a game winning field goal.

The Raiders woes on the road are no secret, and they are playing better football all around, but games like that are ones they have to win.

When it comes to Week 5, the Raiders hosted the undefeated Denver Broncos, and played them very well. They had their share of opportunities to win the game, and make a serious statement in the process, but Oakland failed to do so as they lost 16-10.

The Broncos have shown their struggles this year, partaking in close matchups with some teams they would be dominating in years past.  Peyton Manning and the offense look off as their defense is undoubtedly their strongsuit.

Oakland scored their only touchdown in the first quarter, and didn’t score again until the fourth with less than a minute to play in a last ditch effort to score a field goal, attempt an onside kick, and take a shot at the end zone.

Sebastian Janikowski was unsuccessful with the onside kick, as the Broncos then sealed the victory.

Janikowski had an off day. His first field goal attempt was blocked, and he missed a 40-yard attempt. It was the kicker’s 241st career game in the silver and black, making him the longest tenured Raider, a new Raiders record.

Offensively, the Raiders were silenced by the strong Denver defense.

Derek Carr was 26/39 with 249 yards, one touchdown, and one very costly pick six. The quarterback was pressured and made risky throws as he was not connecting with his receivers.

There were questionable play calls, but the Raiders were simply unable to execute on offense.

The Raiders shined on defense, especially Charles Woodson.

Entering the game, Woodson had never intercepted Peyton Manning in his career, after Sunday’s game Woodson walked away with two picks from Manning.

The defense was able to put pressure on Manning and the offense, keeping them off the board and out of the endzone.

Despite the turnovers, the Raiders simply failed to execute. This was a game they could have won, but the silver and black didn’t reach the endzone often enough and the missed field goals didn’t help.

Against a team like the Broncos, the Raiders had to score on as many opportunities as possible, but in the end failed to execute on drives that should have resulted in points.

Oakland continues to show they have made strides as a team to contend and compete throughout the four quarters of a game, but the end result hasn’t been what they’ve been looking for these past two weeks.

They put up a good fight against the Broncos and went toe to toe, but lacked execution when it mattered most.

This week the Raiders have the bye, but return to action Week 7 in San Diego for another division showdown against the Chargers.