Failed fake punt: “We were looking for a spark, but it didn’t work,” head coach Jack Del Rio says about the play on which Marquette King was tackled for a 3-yard loss.
DENVER — They trailed 16-7 late in the third quarter, their franchise quarterback hobbled away with a back injury three plays earlier and now the Raiders faced 4thand-11 at their 33.
Does that seem like a good time to call a fake punt? It did for head coach Jack Del Rio.
Marquette King took the snap and tried to run right. He didn’t reach the line of scrimmage, absorbing a 3yard loss. King compounded the indignity by angrily throwing the ball at a Denver player, drawing an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.
Del Rio acknowledged it was a designed play.
“That was a called fake punt,” he said. “We are very fortunate it didn’t bite us. We were looking for a spark, but it didn’t work. I know that comes squarely back to me when those things don’t work.”
The Broncos took possession on Oakland’s 15 with a prime chance to put the game away. But the Raiders stood their ground on defense, and Denver kicker
Brandon McManus missed a 29-yard field-goal attempt.
As for King, his all-toofamiliar loss of composure clearly didn’t sit well with his head coach. King also was called for two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties last season.
“I haven’t said anything yet,” Del Rio said, “but you can be assured that I will.” Cooper struggles again: Wide receiver Amari Cooper had another unproductive day: Eight targets, two catches, at least one drop. Denver’s defensive backs turned Cooper into the invisible man, as they often do.
Cooper’s lack of productivity was especially damaging on a day in which Michael
Crabtree didn’t suit up because of a chest injury. His replacement, Seth Roberts, had four catches for 49 yards.
“All props to their defense,” Cooper said. “They’re a really good defense. We’ve just got to go out and prepare better, so we can play better.”
Asked about his team’s final play, when he momentarily seemed open until Denver safety Justin Simmons leaped above him for an interception, Cooper said, “I usually go up and make those types of plays. Simmons made a good play.” Briefly: Cornerback David Amerson left in the first quarter with a concussion. That left the Raiders thin at the position, with rookie Gareon Conley (shin) not suited up. … Tackle Donald
Penn: “As an offense, we’ve got to step up. Our defense has been playing their butts off.” Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.