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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Another week, another victory built largely on the rolled-up sleeves of the Denver Broncos' next-level defense. The Broncos moved to 5-0 as their defense continued to give them a chance to figure out issues on the other side of the ball in a 16-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday at O.co Coliseum. Despite playing with reserves at cornerback and linebacker -- Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware were both injured during the game -- the Broncos powered through another week’s work until cornerback Chris Harris Jr. put the exclamation point on the game with a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown with just under seven minutes to play. The Broncos sacked Raiders quarterback Derek Carr four times, matched the Raiders’ bulked-up formations and made Brandon McManus’ field goals, to go with Harris' score, enough for the win. Going into Monday's night game, no other team in the AFC West has more than two wins. The Broncos moved the ball at times on offense -- quarterback Peyton Manning had 266 yards passing -- but could not close the deal with a touchdown on any of their drives. He was intercepted twice -- once in the Oakland end zone. What were they thinking? In their first two games of the season, the Broncos had several ill-timed personal foul or roughing-the-passer penalties. On Sunday, Von Miller was flagged for roughing the passer midway through the fourth quarter, and defensive end Malik Jackson was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third quarter, which helped the Raiders push the ball to the Broncos’ 28-yard line. Both penalties came with the Broncos’ protecting a two-point lead. Sebastian Janikowski missed the field goal attempt four plays after Jackson’s penalty, but the foul was just the kind of penalty that can tip a tight game and just the kind of penalty the Broncos have already had too many of this season. One reason to get excited: The defense keeps scoring touchdowns and keeps getting to opposing quarterbacks, despite any and all efforts to stop it. Shaquil Barrett, playing for an injured Ware in the second half, had a sack late in the third quarter, one of three sacks the Broncos had by the time the fourth quarter was halfway gone. Harris' touchdown was the defense's third of the season. One reason to panic: The offense can’t get seem to get out of neutral, no matter the tweaks. Putting Manning in the shotgun offered a brief uptick, but on Sunday they used the pistol, put Manning in the shotgun, used guard Max Garcia as an extra blocker and even lined up Sanders in the backfield on a smattering of snaps. They were still held without an offensive touchdown for the second time this season. Fantasy watch: With Demaryius Thomas being limited in practice early last week, plus coach Gary Kubiak’s desire to find a way to get the ball into Emmanuel Sanders’ hands more, Sanders had a busy day with nine catches for 111 yards. Ouch: Ware, who came into the game as the team’s sacks leader with 4.5, left the game at halftime with a back injury and did not return. Ware will be examined more Monday. Talib left the game in the second half with an ankle injury and did not return. Bradley Roby played in Talib's spot for the remainder of the game. Kick returner Omar Bolden left the game in the fourth quarter with a left ankle injury. Nose tackle Sylvester Williams also briefly left the game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury. But after he had the ankle retaped, Williams returned to the game. Williams, however, was limping at times and will almost certainly get treatment in the coming week. Go big: The Raiders made the decision from the outset to try to power the ball at the Broncos’ defense. The Broncos responded with cornerback Roby at safety in the base defense for six snaps in the first half, and the Broncos also used an extra inside linebacker in the formation. But Oakland consistently went with heavy formations to try to move the ball against the Broncos’ base look and tried to put the Broncos fleet linebackers in coverage. Of Derek Carr’s first 11 completions in the game, seven went to running backs and one went to tight end Clive Walford. Through three quarters, 11 of Carr’s 15 completions went to running backs and tight ends. Turn it over: Harris' interception was the seventh turnover the Broncos' defense has forced in the fourth quarter this season, and it was the second time the Broncos have returned one of those turnovers for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Roby returned a fumble to give the Broncos a Week 2 victory over the Chiefs.
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