FIRST CAREER CATCH ALLOWS PATRICK TO MAKE IMPACT
Recapping the nine offensive snaps he played against Seattle in Week 1, Broncos firstyear receiver Tim Patrick sat at his locker last Wednesday and promised a better performance against Oakland.
“There were small things I didn’t do out there,” Patrick said of his NFL debut. “I was focused on my assignments instead of the whole picture. That will come with relaxing and the game slowing down.”
Patrick’s time came Sunday late in the Broncos’ 2019 win over the Raiders.
The Broncos trailed by two points and were out of timeouts when Patrick turned quarterback Case Keenum’s short pass into a 26yard gain with 10 seconds remaining. Brandon McManus kicked the gamewinning 36yard field goal on the next play.
It was quite the first career reception for Patrick, who started training camp on the roster bubble but shined to earn a spot.
“So happy,” Patrick said. “I’m a Denver Bronco, man. I can’t be more happy than that, and to help us win a divisional game against the Raiders? You can’t even dream about something like that.”
Patrick had a 4yard touchdown catch in the third quarter overturned by replay.
“Coach (Vance Joseph) talked about impacting the game one way or another, and I feel like an impact player (Sunday),” Patrick said.
Another milestone.
With Denver’s win Sunday, team owner Pat Bowlen picked up his 350th victory. In only 581 games, Bowlen is the fastest owner in NFL history to reach the milestone.
Comeback kings.
The Broncos overcame a 12point halftime deficit to beat Oakland, marking the 10th time in history they’ve made up such a margin to win.
Injury report.
Right offensive tackle Jared Veldheer was placed in the league’s concussion protocol and was unable to finish the game. Billy Turner replaced him.
Receiver Demaryius Thomas was shaken up with what appeared to be a midsection injury, but he returned later in the drive.
Cornerback Chris Harris and safety Justin Simmons collided on Seth Roberts’ 20yard touchdown in the third quarter. Harris and Simmons were evaluated for concussions but were cleared to return to the game.
Footnotes.
Thomas and inside linebacker Brandon Marshall observed the national anthem from in the tunnel behind the Broncos’ bench. … The Broncos helped raise $115,000 during Saturday’s Walk To End Alzheimer’s, a 2mile walk at Denver’s City Park. Members of owner Pat Bowlen’s family were joined by more than 100 Broncos employees and their families. The proceeds will fund Alzheimer’s research, support and care. … Like last week, the Broncos had seven healthy inactive players. The only change was safety Shamarko Thomas, who was scratched after resigning last week. … Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was on the sideline during pregame warmups. … The Broncos’ only sack was from linebacker Von Miller, who got to Derek Carr in 3.03 seconds on a secondquarter thirdand3. Miller beat right tackle Donald Penn on the play for his fourth sack of the year. … The Broncos were 2of4 in the red zone.