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          On first possesion without Jon Gruden, Raiders score on a 48-yard touchdown pass

          • Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterOct 17, 2021, 08:46 PM
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              Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role - writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA's Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis' Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
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          DENVER -- After a rough week, the Las Vegas Raiders got off to a quick start Sunday in Denver. Because for the first time in 12 games, and in in their first game without Jon Gruden as coach and offensive playcaller, the Raiders scored on their opening drive.

          Derek Carr hit Henry Ruggs III on a 48-yard skinny post bomb on third-and-2, splitting cornerback Ronald Darby and safety Justin Simmons, for the Raiders' first score on their initial possession since Week 11 of last season.

          The Raiders, who had become predictable on offense and unable to run the ball, mixed it up on the opening drive, running it four times for 13 yards before the deep shot.

          It was Ruggs' fourth career touchdown catch, with each one going at least 46 yards -- 72 yards, 46 yards, 61 yards and 48 yards.

          The Broncos answered quickly with a touchdown of their own when Tim Patrick scored on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater on the next drive.