DENVER — — As Pat Surtain II was about to sign his colossal contract extension that briefly made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, coach Sean Payton said he wanted to get even more out of his superstar.

As in more takeaway restaurants.

Surtain threw a pair of interceptions in the Denver Broncos’ 34-18 loss to the injury-plagued Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

He returned the first for a 100-yard touchdown that erased an early 10-0 deficit and his second set up another touchdown as the Broncos (3-2) snapped an eight-game skid against the Raiders (2-3) .

“It didn’t start well,” Denver coach Sean Payton said, “but we came back.”

Thanks in large part to Surtain’s big day.

It started with a jersey swap with Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, who took part in the Broncos’ alumni weekend and throwback festivities honoring the franchise’s first Super Bowl team in 1977 led by Class of 2024 Hall of Fame linebacker and “Orange Crush” conductor. Randy Gradishar.

“That jersey change was legendary,” Surtain said. “That’s something I always wanted to have in the inventory.”

Along with a game like this.

Not only did the signage, field and scoreboards display a retro vibe, but so did Denver’s stout defense, which allowed the Raiders just five yards rushing after halftime.

The Raiders scored on Brock Bowers’ 57-yard touchdown catch and Daniel Carlson’s 40-yard field goal and threatened to take a 17-3 lead when Gardner Minshew, who completed his first nine passes for 115 yards, first to left rolled. -and-goal from the 5 and had Bowers open.

His throw sailed over Bowers’ head and Surtain caught it on his own goal line and took off down the Denver sideline.

The only Raider who had a chance to prevent the turnaround touchdown was Minshew, but he was overthrown 35 yards downfield by rookie linebacker Jonah Ellis and Surtain trotted into the end zone with the ball held high.

“I caught the ball and saw a full green blade of grass,” Surtain said, “and I thought, ‘Yes, this is a touchdown.'”

However, his heart sank when he turned around in the end zone and saw a flag.

“I was worried. I was scared. And I was tired,” said Surtain, whose concerns were quickly allayed when the referee ruled no foul had been committed on the return.

“It definitely changed the game,” Minshew said. “And obviously I can’t do that to our team, it put us in a bad spot. That swing was definitely on me. I thought we got off to a good start, and then I killed our momentum with the choice six .”

Rookie Bo Nix, who earned a win over the Jets despite only throwing for 60 yards, had a breakout day with a pair of TD throws after entering the game with just one. He also ran for a score as Denver scored 34 unanswered points.

Nix completed passes for a franchise-record 11 players and finished 19 of 27 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions as the Broncos secured their first win over the Raiders since Dec. 29, 2019.

Freshman starter Riley Moss also intercepted Minshew, his first career interception coming one week after his first fumble recovery and two weeks after the first forced fumble of his two years as a pro.

It also ended Minshew’s day.

He was replaced by Aidan O’Connell with Las Vegas trailing 20-10. Minshew, missing superstar Davante Adams (hamstring) for the second straight week, finished 12 of 17 for 137 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a pair of sacks after completing his first nine passes for 115 yards.

His 10th went 100 yards the other way, the second-longest interception return in team history, behind only Aqib Talib’s 103 yards against Dallas in 2017.

“It was definitely a big momentum swing,” said Raiders star defenseman Maxx Crosby, who had a pair of sacks despite a tender ankle. “As a defense, as a unit, we talked about being the engine. And so, regardless of the situation, we must be able to respond. But yeah, we weren’t good enough. We will be better.”

O’Connell went 10 of 20 for 94 yards and an interception. Surtain intercepted O’Connell’s first pass of his second series, giving Nix the ball back at the Las Vegas 39 shortly after the rookie QB’s 1-yard keeper made it 27-10, and Nix promptly hit Josh Reynolds for a score of 9 yards.

“We have short fields,” said Nix, who appreciated Denver’s defense on a day when the Broncos’ offense converted just three of 12 third downs.

Annoyed Vegas

Adams was one of five injured Raiders to sit out this game, and the Raiders offense could have a harder time getting out of its funk as Adams made it clear this week that he would rather play for another organization.

Off the hook

The Broncos took a 13-10 halftime lead with no time left on Wil Lutz’s 44-yard field goal. It was a second chance after he was wide left from 59 yards. But Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson was called for a 15-yard personal foul for jumping over the snapper, giving Lutz a second fumble.

Injuries

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins also had a sack, but he had to sit out the second half with a foot injury. … Broncos C Matt Wattenberg left in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury. … RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) was replaced by Matt Peart in the second half. Palczewski started in place of Mike McGlinchey (knee).

Next

Raiders: Host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Broncos: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl