Game story
In Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-23, the Las Vegas Raiders took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 31–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Cutler (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +8.99 total EPA, and -9.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Russell (Las Vegas Raiders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-24.4% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (1:25) 1-B.Kern punts 60 yards to LV 11, Center-83-M.Leach. 15-J.Higgins for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LV-15-J.Higgins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | 10 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Denver Broncos | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Russell · Las Vegas Raiders · Passing · +13.91 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
- 2 A. Lelie · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +9.08 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
- 3 J. Cutler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +8.99 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 4 B. Marshall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.49 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.87 EPA/play
- 5 B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.46 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 6 D. McFadden · Las Vegas Raiders · Rushing · +4.83 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 7 Z. Miller · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
- 8 P. Hillis · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Russell — LV · Passing
J. Russell posted the highest total EPA (+13.91) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Las Vegas Raiders's efficiency. Across 14 counted snaps, they averaged +0.99 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.01 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (1:25) 1-B.Kern punts 60 yards to LV 11, Center-83-M.Leach. 15-J.Higgins for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LV-15-J.Higgins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Las Vegas Raiders — J. Higgins
- Denver Broncos — P. Hillis
- Las Vegas Raiders — D. McFadden
- Las Vegas Raiders — A. Lelie (J. Russell pass)
- Las Vegas Raiders — D. McFadden
Field goals
- Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski
- Denver Broncos — M. Prater
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 10–3. Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the DEN 7 (Q2 38:04) — (8:04) 11-S.Janikowski 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LV 26 (Q2 33:03) — (3:03) 5-M.Prater 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the LV 71 (Q2 31:25); Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 31:06) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LV 6 (Q3 24:24) — (9:24) 22-P.Hillis left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q3 24:18) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q3 20:32) — (5:32) 20-D.McFadden left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 20:26) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The fourth quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 14–0. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q4 14:15) — (14:15) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 87-A.Lelie for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 14:08) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q4 9:46) — (9:46) 20-D.McFadden left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 9:42) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 31:25) — (1:25) 1-B.Kern punts 60 yards to LV 11, Center-83-M.Leach. 15-J.Higgins for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LV-15-J.Higgins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 24:24) — (9:24) 22-P.Hillis left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) 6-J.Cutler FUMBLES (Aborted) at LV 7, RECOVERED by LV-28-Gi.Wilson at LV 4. 28-Gi.Wilson to LV 5 for 1 yard (78-R.Clady). Hand off from Cutler dropped.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q3 24:12) — (9:12) 2-J.Russell pass deep right to 87-A.Lelie to DEN 19 for 51 yards (32-D.Bly).
- Denver Broncos (Q2 33:47) — (3:47) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 14-B.Stokley pushed ob at LV 26 for 14 yards (24-M.Huff).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 31:25) — (1:25) 1-B.Kern punts 60 yards to LV 11, Center-83-M.Leach. 15-J.Higgins for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LV-15-J.Higgins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) 6-J.Cutler FUMBLES (Aborted) at LV 7, RECOVERED by LV-28-Gi.Wilson at LV 4. 28-Gi.Wilson to LV 5 for 1 yard (78-R.Clady). Hand off from Cutler dropped.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q3 24:12) — (9:12) 2-J.Russell pass deep right to 87-A.Lelie to DEN 19 for 51 yards (32-D.Bly).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 9:09) — (9:09) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 15-B.Marshall to LV 49 for 32 yards (28-Gi.Wilson).
Quarterback report card
J.Cutler led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Cutler (Denver Broncos) · 42 dropbacks · 38.1% completion · -9.5% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +8.99 total EPA
- J.Russell (Las Vegas Raiders) · 14 dropbacks · 71.4% completion · +29.6% CPOE · +0.99 EPA/play · +13.91 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Las Vegas Raiders | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.235 | -0.098 |
| Offensive success rate | 54.3% | 39.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +1.023 | +0.214 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.074 | -0.266 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.098 | -0.235 |
| Defensive success rate | 60.5% | 45.7% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Las Vegas Raiders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs -0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Denver Broncos: 9 drives, -8.40 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Las Vegas Raiders: 9 drives, +16.43 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Las Vegas Raiders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Russell (Las Vegas Raiders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Cutler (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- J. Russell (LV) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q2 38:04 · DEN 7 · Score 3-0
(8:04) 11-S.Janikowski 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 33:03 · LV 26 · Score 3-3
(3:03) 5-M.Prater 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 31:25 · LV 71 · Score 9-3
(1:25) 1-B.Kern punts 60 yards to LV 11, Center-83-M.Leach. 15-J.Higgins for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LV-15-J.Higgins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 31:06 · DEN 2 · Score 10-3
11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 24:24 · LV 6 · Score 10-9
(9:24) 22-P.Hillis left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 24:18 · LV 2 · Score 10-10
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 20:32 · DEN 1 · Score 16-10
(5:32) 20-D.McFadden left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q3 20:26 · DEN 2 · Score 17-10
11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 14:15 · DEN 4 · Score 23-10
(14:15) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 87-A.Lelie for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 14:08 · DEN 2 · Score 24-10
11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 9:46 · DEN 1 · Score 30-10
(9:46) 20-D.McFadden left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 9:42 · DEN 2 · Score 31-10
11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos?
The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Denver Broncos 31-10 in Week 12, 2008 on 2008-11-23.
What was the final score of Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Las Vegas Raiders 31, Denver Broncos 10 (LV 31-10 DEN) in Week 12, 2008 on 2008-11-23.
What was the score by quarter in Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos?
Q2: Las Vegas Raiders 10, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Las Vegas Raiders 7, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Las Vegas Raiders 14, Denver Broncos 0; Final: Las Vegas Raiders 31, Denver Broncos 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos?
Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — J. Higgins (Q2 31:25) Denver Broncos touchdown — P. Hillis (Q3 24:24) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — D. McFadden (Q3 20:32) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — A. Lelie (J. Russell pass) (Q4 14:15) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — D. McFadden (Q4 9:46) Las Vegas Raiders field goal — S. Janikowski (Q2 38:04, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 33:03, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos?
J. Cutler (Denver Broncos), 38.1% completion, -9.5% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +8.99 total passing EPA. J. Russell (Las Vegas Raiders), 71.4% completion, +29.6% CPOE, +0.99 EPA per dropback, +13.91 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos?
J. Russell (Las Vegas Raiders) led the game in total EPA with +13.91 on passing plays. across 14 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.01 EPA): (1:25) 1-B.Kern punts 60 yards to LV 11, Center-83-M.Leach. 15-J.Higgins for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LV-15-J.Higgins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between do. The biggest win-probability swing was -24.4%.
Season records after this game
Las Vegas Raiders
Entered 2-8 Now 3-8 W
Denver Broncos
Entered 6-4 Now 6-5 L
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