DENVER — The Oakland Raiders had a lot to lose Sunday – and they did.

Another quarterback.

The AFC West title.

A week off.

In a game that couldn’t have gone much worse, Oakland lost quarterback Matt McGloin to a shoulder injury in the first half and fell 24-6 to the Denver Broncos.

Combined with Kansas City’s win over San Diego, the Raiders (12-4) squandered the AFC West title and the first-round bye that went with it – and instead fell to the No. 5 seed, which means they’ll play Saturday at Houston.

“I tell guys all the time: You get what you earn in this league,” Raiders Coach Jack Del Rio said. “And we didn’t do enough to earn a win tonight.”

Rookie Connor Cook might be the quarterback next week if the injury to McGloin proves serious.

McGloin, who got the start because Derek Carr broke his leg last week, left late in the second quarter. He completed six passes for 21 yards, missing virtually every throw downfield.

A fourth-year player out of Penn State, McGloin was making his first start since 2013. He was hurt when Jared Crick slammed him to the turf, drawing a roughing-the-passer penalty. Moments before that play, McGloin overthrew a wide-open Amari Cooper.

“I wanted to play out there tonight,” McGloin said. “If I’m not 100 percent healthy, that’s not what this team needs. I plan on being 100 percent healthy (for Houston).”

Cook was 14 of 21 with a touchdown to Cooper, an interception and a lost fumble against the Broncos (9-7), who ended a three-game slide.

Copy the Story Link