The Denver Broncos clinched a narrow 10-7 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10, solidifying their record at 8-2 this season at Empower Field.
1. Ugliest 8-2 in history?: It”s no surprise that Sean Payton takes his time circling restaurant parking lots. His team excels at making the most of challenging situations. The defense performed admirably, and while the throwback uniforms were a hit, the overall performance left much to be desired. Yet, an unsightly 8-2 record is preferable to a mediocre 5-5, right? Historically, an 8-2 start is significant; no previous Broncos team with this record has finished with fewer than 11 wins in the regular season. Of the four prior squads to achieve this, three advanced to the Super Bowl, with two ultimately falling short. The other reached the AFC Championship game. Something remarkable is in progress, even if it”s difficult to appreciate amid the struggles.
2. Zach Attack: Zach Allen remains an unrecognized talent, yet he has not garnered a Pro Bowl selection. If justice prevails, he will soon check that off his list. The Raiders were missing key offensive linemen, yet Allen dominated the game, consistently pressuring Geno Smith, notching a sack, three quarterback hits, and a pass deflection. While the 2015 No-Fly Zone boasted a superior secondary, the current front seven is impressive.
3. Wind was not Crawshaw”s issue: The wind was evident, impacting the referees” field microphones, but it did not faze Raiders punter AJ Cole. In contrast, Broncos rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw struggled mightily from the start. With just over seven minutes left in the game, he delivered a low line drive that went out of bounds before midfield, resulting in a mere 30-yard net. This set the Raiders up at the Broncos” 41-yard line during their second possession. His subsequent punts were only slightly better, contributing to the Broncos” difficulties, as three of their first five possessions began within their own 20-yard line.
4. Halftime entertainment: The first three quarters of the game were tedious, akin to a root canal experience. Fortunately, those present were treated to a memorable halftime show, reminiscent of “Tron,” as the stadium dimmed. Fans received glow-in-the-dark orange bracelets, enhancing a pregame light display that even dimmed the press box lights. The evening”s theme, “Let”s Glow Back,” harmonized with the Broncos and Raiders” matching throwback uniforms from the 1970s. It may not have been spooky, but it was certainly fitting and quite impressive.
For more updates on the Broncos, sign up for the Broncos Insider for in-depth NFL analysis.
