Surtain's two interceptions power Broncos past Raiders 34-18, snapping 8-game skid against Las Vegas

DENVER (AP) — When Pat Surtain II was about to sign his colossal contract extention that briefly made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, coach Sean Payton said he wanted to see even more out of his superstar.

As in more takeaways.

Surtain delivered with a pair of interceptions Sunday in the Denver Broncos' 34-18 rout of the injury-riddled Las Vegas Raiders.

He returned the first one for a 100-yard touchdown that erased an early 10-0 deficit and his second one set up another touchdown as the Broncos (3-2) snapped an eight-game skid against the Raiders (2-3).

“It didn’t start off well,” Denver coach Sean Payton said, “but we bounced back.”

In a big way, thanks to Surtain's big day.

It began with a jersey swap with Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, who was participating in the Broncos' alumni weekend and throwback festivities honoring the franchise's first Super Bowl team in 1977 led by Class of 2024 Hall of Fame linebacker and “Orange Crush” conductor Randy Gradishar.

“That jersey swap was legendary,” Surtain said. “That's something that I've always wanted to have in the inventory.”

Along with a game like this.

Not only did the signage, field and scoreboards feature throwback vibes, but so did Denver’s stout defense which held the Raiders to just 5 yards rushing after halftime.

The Raiders scored on Brock Bowers’ 57-yard touchdown catch and Daniel Carlson’s 40-yard field goal and were threatening to take a 17-3 lead when Gardner Minshew, who completed his first nine passes for 115 yards, rolled to his left on first-and-goal from the 5 and had Bowers open.

His throw sailed over Bowers’ head and Surtain caught it at his own goal line and took off down the Denver sideline.

The only Raider who had a chance to prevent the turnaround touchdown was Minshew, but he was bowled over by rookie linebacker Jonah Ellis 35 yards downfield and Surtain trotted into the end zone with the ball held high.

“I caught the ball and saw a full head of green grass,” Surtain recounted, "and I was like, ‘Yeah, this is a touchdown.’”

His heart sank, however, when he turned around in the end zone and saw a flag.

“I was worried. I was scared. And I was tired,” said Surtain, whose concerns were quickly allayed when the referee ruled there was no foul on the return.

“It definitely swung the game,” Minshew said. "And obviously I can’t do that to our team, put us in a bad spot. That swing was definitely on me. ... I thought we got off to a good start, and then I killed our momentum with the pick six.”

Rookie Bo Nix, coming off a victory over the Jets despite throwing for just 60 yards, had a breakout day with a pair of TD throws after coming into the game with just one. He also ran for a score as Denver scored 34 unanswered points.

Completing passes to a franchise-record 11 players, Nix finished 19 of 27 for 206 yards, two TDs and no interceptions as the Broncos secured their first win over the Raiders since Dec. 29, 2019.

First-year starter Riley Moss also intercepted Minshew, his first career interception coming one week after his first career fumble recovery and two weeks after the first forced fumble of his two years as a pro.

It also ended Minshew's day.

He was replaced by Aidan O'Connell with Las Vegas trailing 20-10. Minshew, who was missing superstar Davante Adams (hamstring) for the second straight week, finished 12 of 17 for 137 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a pair of sacks after completing his first nine passes for 115 yards.

His 10th went 100 yards in the other direction, the second-longest interception return in team history behind only Aqib Talib’s 103-yarder against Dallas in 2017.

“It was a big momentum swing, for sure,” said Raiders star defender Maxx Crosby, who had a pair of sacks despite a tender ankle. “As a defense, as a unit, we talked about being the engine. And so regardless of the situation, we’ve got to be able to respond. But yeah, we weren’t good enough. We’ll be better.”

O’Connell went 10 of 20 for 94 yards and an interception. Surtain intercepted O'Connell's first pass of his second series, giving Nix the ball back at the Las Vegas 39 shortly after the rookie QB's 1-yard keeper made it 27-10, and Nix promptly hit Josh Reynolds for a 9-yard score.

“We got short fields,” Nix said, crediting Denver's defense on a day the Broncos' offense converted just 3 of 12 third downs.

Adams was among five injured Raiders who sat this one out, and the Raiders' offense may have a harder time breaking out of its funk as Adams this week made it clear he'd rather play for another organization.

The Broncos took a 13-10 halftime lead on Wil Lutz's 44-yard field goal with no time left. It was a do-over after he was wide left from 59 yards. But Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson was whistled for a 15-yard personal foul for leaping over the snapper, giving Lutz a second try.

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins also got a sack but he sat out the second half with a foot injury. ... Broncos C Matt Wattenberg left in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury. ... RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) was replaced by Matt Peart in the second half. Palczewski has been starting in place of Mike McGlinchey (knee).

Raiders: Host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Broncos: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

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

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

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)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) scramble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix looks downfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) rushes after a 57-yard reception for a touchdown during the first 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, left, celebrates his 100-yard interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) intercepts a pass and returns it for a 100-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

SEATTLE (AP) — Two straight sloppy, sluggish starts. Two straight losses.

Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks are already growing tired of a couple bad starts and not being able to complete comeback attempts in the fourth quarter.

“When the game is on the line, it seems like we find ways to get things done, right? But that’s got to be the mentality throughout the entire game," Smith said. "We can’t wait until the end of the game to try and save it. We got to go out and execute for 60 minutes or however long the game is. Today, we didn’t get that done.”

Smith and the Seahawks lost their second straight Sunday, 29-20 to the New York Giants in a game that was filled with concerning moments for a team that less than a week ago was undefeated and in the driver’s seat in the NFC West.

Seattle (3-2) started poorly for the second straight week, and the run game was mostly a suggestion. Seattle’s defense was gashed at times and couldn’t get off the field for most of the first half as the Giants controlled possession.

And there was one big special teams breakdown in the closing seconds when Jason Myers’ 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked after Isaiah Simmons cleanly jumped over the offensive line and Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned the blocked kick 60 yards for a clinching touchdown.

“Talk about not doing things in all three phases to win a football game,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said. “Got to give the Giants credit. They outplayed us today.”

The special teams gaffe will get plenty of attention because the magnitude of the moment where it happened. Guard Laken Tomlinson was pushed down by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, creating a lane for Simmons to jump through and cleanly make the block.

It was a legal play and a highlight moment. It wasn’t the reason Seattle lost.

Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns and while he was sacked three times, Seattle’s pressure on the QB was inconsistent. Rookie backup running back Tyrone Tracy rushed for 129 yards and averaged 7.2 yards per carry.

The Giants rolled up 420 total yards and had more than 37 minutes of possession.

“It’s fundamental football and we’re coming up short. That’s what’s disappointing right now,” Macdonald said.

Seattle’s offense must also find some more balance after two straight weeks where it’s been heavily tilted toward the pass. Smith threw 40 times on Sunday after attempting 56 passes in last Monday’s loss at Detroit. The Seahawks have a combined 30 rushing attempts in the past two games, with nine of those coming from Smith.

“All credit to them, they did a great job of holding on to the ball and keeping us off the field. We couldn’t get into a good rhythm,” Tomlinson said.

And there’s little time to make the corrections. Instead of fully being in control of the NFC West, the two straight losses have amplified the importance of Thursday’s divisional matchup against San Francisco.

“We got to spend extra time whether you’re there early, staying late, as a group just to correct it and honestly be accountable,” Seattle safety Julian Love said. “Every one of us has to look inward and figure out what they can do better. That’s across the defense (and) I’m sure the offense and special teams as well. It takes commitment right now.”

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

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs with football as New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) tries to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) runs with the football as New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) pressures during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)