DENVER — Raiders coach Lane Kiffin waited until five days before his team’s regular-season opener to name his starting quarterback. On Sunday, he decided upon Josh McCown just before game time.
McCown struggled with injuries to his right index finger and right foot during practice throughout the week. By Friday, Kiffin said he was “anticipating” Daunte Culpepper starting against the Denver Broncos.
However, McCown’s foot healed well enough by game time for Kiffin to feel confident going with McCown for the second straight game. Perhaps it would have been more prudent for Kiffin to start Culpepper.
“Josh came in and felt great, so we warmed him up when we got here,” Kiffin said. “We told him we were going to let him go if he felt 100 percent.”
McCown’s second pass was intercepted by Denver cornerback Champ Bailey at the Raiders 29-yard line. The Broncos scored a touchdown eight plays later. Eleven plays later, McCown was intercepted by Denver defensive tackle Marcus Thomas at the Broncos 37-yard line.
McCown had a third pass intercepted and passed for only 73 yards. He also was sacked four times and fumbled twice — he recovered both.
On the bright side, McCown’s 21-yard scamper on a third-down play set up Oakland’s lone first-half scoring drive. He got flattened by Denver strong safety Nick Ferguson at the end of his run but bounced right back and continued the drive.
McCown also connected with wide receiver Jerry Porter on a 46-yard touchdown play in the third quarter that got the Raiders back in the game.
McCown said his throwing was affected by his injured finger. He practiced with a glove on his throwing hand all week but went without a glove for the game.
“I didn’t feel comfortable with it,” McCown said, “and I couldn’t throw the ball well with the glove. So, I decided to go without it. In hindsight, I should have used it.”
Lightning strikes
The game was suspended by game officials one play into the second quarter once they received word of the potential for lightning.
Sure enough, lightning strikes peppered the Denver skies just as the players and coaches exited the field with the Broncos leading 7-0 and 14 minutes, 53 seconds left in the first half. The suspension came 35 minutes after kickoff.
“It was a little different,” Kiffin said. “It was like we were coming out after halftime.”
Play resumed 25 minutes later, with the Broncos in possession of the ball after McCown’s second intercepted pass.
The players returned to far different conditions than the 87 degrees and sunny conditions they enjoyed at kickoff. Rain fell, winds swirled, the sunshine disappeared.
Longtime Broncos officials said they don’t recall a home game being suspended because of weather conditions for the past 30 years.
AFC West woes
The Raiders lost their 15th straight divisional game Sunday. Their last victory came here Nov. 28, 2004. They get their next shot at ending the ignominious streak Oct. 14 against the San Diego Chargers.
Jordan’s fast start
Raiders running back LaMont Jordan caught nine passes for 89 yards against the Detroit Lions eight days ago. He had only 10 receptions for 74 yards in nine games last season.
This portends the Raiders using Jordan in much the same way they did in 2005, when he caught 70 passes in 14 games, even if he didn’t catch any passes against the Broncos. He didn’t catch more than three passes in any game last season.
Jordan posted his second straight impressive game Sunday. This time, he rushed for a career-high 159 yards on only 25 carries.
“We were able to pound it on them,” Jordan said. “They didn’t expect it. They were on their heels. When you have a team on their heels, you got to finish them off.”
Jordan’s 33-yard run in overtime put the Raiders in position to finish off the Broncos. However, kicker Sebastian Janikowski hit the left upright on a 52-yard field goal attempt. The Broncos’ Jason Elam kicked a game-winning field goal on Denver’s ensuing possession.
Extra points
The Raiders executed an onside kick in the third quarter that Chris Carr recovered. The Raiders punted seven plays later. … Janikowski converted from 38 yards in the second quarter for his first field goal in four tries this season. He missed all three of his attempts in Oakland’s regular-season opener. His overtime miss leaves him at 1-for-5 through two games. … De La Salle High School graduate D.J. Williams made his presence felt for the second straight game. He entered the game as Denver’s leading tackler. He added eight more to his total for 15 in two games. … The Raiders lost their fourth straight overtime game. … Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess left the game with a right calf injury in the fourth quarter. He didn’t return. … Wide receiver Mike Williams was one of the eight players deactivated by the Raiders for Sunday’s game. Travis Taylor replaced Williams on the active roster. Their roles were reversed in Oakland’s first game. … Rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell accompanied the Raiders on the road trip and watched from the sideline.
— Steve Corkran
