OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have yet to play a complete game this season, and that is why this much-improved team is just 2-3 after a 16-10 loss at home to the Denver Broncos.

On Sunday, the Oakland defense played its best game of the season, by far. All it allowed Peyton Manning’s offense was three field goals.

However, Oakland’s offense, so dangerous in Weeks 2 and 3, was schooled by a first-rate Denver defense. The killer play was a 74-yard interception return by cornerback Chris Harris on a poor decision by quarterback Derek Carr in the fourth quarter.

The hope moving forward is perhaps Oakland’s porous defense has finally turned the corner and Oakland’s offense will evolve and get better against lesser defenses than Denver’s.

But the bottom line for now is the Raiders trail the Broncos, winners of eight in a row between the teams, by three games in the AFC West.

One reason to get excited: The Oakland defense played well. It continued to tinker as some younger players, including rookie linebacker Neiron Ball, got involved. Cornerback David Amerson, claimed off waivers last month, continued to play solidly.

One reason to panic: Oakland’s running game struggled for the second straight week. Starter Latavius Murray had just 39 yards on 13 carries and didn’t play late in the game for the second straight week. He hasn’t done much since gaining 139 yards in Cleveland two weeks ago.

Fantasy watch: Rookie receiver Amari Cooper didn’t have a big game -- just four catches for 47 yards. Cooper didn’t make much of an impact in Chicago last week after having back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in Weeks 2 and 3.

Ouch: Defensive end Justin Tuck suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter.

Bad day for Seabass: Kicker Sebastian Janikowski set the record for games played by a Raider, with 241. However, he had his worst day of the season. He saw a field-goal try blocked and then missed a 40-yarder in the fourth quarter that would have given Oakland the lead.