The Denver Broncos managed to secure a gritty 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night at Empower Field, marking their seventh consecutive win. This streak is the longest since the team opened the 2015 season with seven victories, ultimately leading to a Super Bowl championship.
Unlike previous games where their offense flourished in the fourth quarter, the Broncos struggled significantly in this contest. They failed to achieve a first down on eight of their first eleven possessions and only mustered three points from two possessions that began in scoring territory during the third quarter, finishing with a total of minus-eight yards.
Despite the offensive shortcomings, the Broncos” defense delivered an impressive performance. They sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith six times, five of which occurred on crucial third or fourth downs. Linebacker Dondrea Tillman contributed with an interception, marking his second of the season, while the defense limited the Raiders to just ten first downs, including only three during the second half.
Head Coach Sean Payton acknowledged the team”s struggles but expressed pride in their resilience. “A lot of stuff for us to cover, and yet I”m real proud of the fight,” he stated. “Our defense was fantastic. Too many penalties on offense that put us in a hole, and I”ve got to be better. But a good win.”
The first half mirrored the Broncos” tendency for slow starts this season. The offense only recorded a first down at the 5:50 mark of the second quarter and finished with just four first downs before halftime. The Broncos committed seven penalties in the first half alone, finishing with a total of eleven penalties for seventy-eight yards.
Late in the first quarter, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty helped the Raiders score first, marking the ninth time in ten games that the Broncos allowed their opponents to take an early lead. However, the Broncos responded with a five-play, sixty-three-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Troy Franklin in the second quarter, which represented their only visit to the end zone throughout the game.
In the second half, the Broncos found some rhythm in their running game, but a peculiar trick play on third-and-one thwarted their efforts, resulting in a loss that preceded a missed fifty-nine-yard field goal attempt.
On special teams, which had faced criticism earlier in the season, JL Skinner made a pivotal play by blocking a punt late in the third quarter, setting up the Broncos at the Raiders” twelve-yard line. Although the offense could not capitalize fully, they managed to score a thirty-two-yard field goal from Wil Lutz, giving them a narrow lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, this victory allowed the Broncos to head into a long weekend with a record of 8-2, securing at least a tie for the best record in the conference as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
