Denver Broncos TE A.J. Derby makes memorable one-handed TD catch vs. Oakland Raiders

DENVER -- Denver Broncos tight end A.J. Derby made his first career touchdown catch a memorable one.

Derby snagged a pass from quarterback Trevor Siemian with only his right hand, maintaining his one-handed grip while running a tight-rope down the sideline to finish a 22-yard score. It stood as Denver's only touchdown in a 16-10 win Sunday over the Oakland Raiders.

"It was a great throw by Trevor. Great job by the O-line giving him time. I just saw the ball and made a play," Derby said.

"Obviously, growing up you always work on one-handed catches. It just felt natural. Didn't think anything different."

The catch was the main highlight in a big day for Derby, who had four catches for a team-high 75 yards, including a 29-yarder earlier in the Broncos' lone touchdown drive.

"We were just saying how that drive was kind of the 'A.J. Derby Show,'" Siemian said. "He had a similar route the play before and he did a good job getting open. That was a pretty good catch, too. He had a good day, so I'm happy for him."

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Backup quarterback EJ Manuel put in a solid effort for the Raiders after being thrust into the game by a third-quarter back injury to starter Derek Carr.

Manuel completed 11 of 17 throws for 106 yards, moved the Raiders to a field goal and had them driving toward a go-ahead touchdown in the late going only to be stopped when safety Justin Simmons made a leaping interception of a pass intended for Amari Cooper.

"Any time 'Coop' is given an opportunity to go up and catch a ball, I'm going to give him that chance," Manuel said. "I think I could've kept the ball more outside for him, to kind of shield off the safety a little more. That's something I can fix."

Carr's status for next Sunday's game against Baltimore remains in question. Team officials expect Carr to undergo an MRI to better determine the severity of the injury.

"Knowing Derek, he's going to do everything he can to be good to go," Manuel said. "If Derek can go, great. If he can't, I'm going to go out there and do my best to help our team win."

The Raiders also are dealing with an injury to cornerback David Amerson, who suffered a concussion. He is under the league's concussion protocol and his status remains uncertain for the Baltimore game.

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The Broncos run defense has stifled one elite runner after another during the first month of the season.

The Los Angeles Chargers' Melvin Gordon, Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott, Buffalo's LeSean McCoy and the Raiders' Marshawn Lynch have been held to a combined 95 yards on 50 attempts, an average of 1.9 yards by the foursome, who have combined for 12 Pro Bowls.

The Broncos have won three of their four games and head into a bye next Sunday.

"We're going against guys who have been to Pro Bowls and we're shutting them down," Broncos nose tackle Domata Peko Sr. said. "It's been great. A big shout-out to the defensive line and front seven. A shout-out to our defense because stopping the run is not just up front. It's the whole team and this defense is playing great."

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In critical situations, the Raiders offense is failing to deliver.

Oakland converted only 2 of 12 third-down situations and was 0 for 3 in fourth-down conversion attempts.

"We just have to execute, plain and simple," wide receiver Amari Cooper said. "It doesn't matter really what play is called. We just have to go out there and execute it."

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Raiders punter Marquette King lost his cool after being tackled for a loss on a fake punt play that allowed the Broncos to gain possession in Raiders territory.

King threw the ball in frustration at a Broncos player, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that tacked on 15 yards for the Broncos in the change of possession.

Denver missed a subsequent field-goal attempt, but Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio was none too happy with his punter over the penalty.

"I have not said anything but you can be assured that I will," Del Rio said after the game.