The Denver Broncos edged out a narrow victory on Thursday night, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 in a game that featured just three second-half points.
Denver’s defense — six sacks, a game-changing blocked punt, and a late missed 48-yard field goal by Las Vegas — did the heavy lifting; the offense did not.
The Broncos outgained the Raiders 220-188 but managed just one touchdown (a 7-yard strike from quarterback Bo Nix to wide receiver Troy Franklin) and produced 11 penalties, more than they had first downs..
Nix finished 16-of-28 for 150 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while running back J.K. Dobbins carried 18 times for 77 yards, and Franklin finished as the team leader in catches (five) and targets (nine), along with 40 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, Raiders QB Geno Smith was limited to 143 passing yards and left the game gimpy with a quad issue.
Denver improved to 8-2 and extended its winning streak to seven games, but the game itself exposed an offense that has failed at times to sustain drives, something Nix was quick to point out postgame.
“We have to do better. At some point, 10 points isn’t going to be enough. We have to score more,” Nix said. “Between penalties and just some sluggish football, we’re just not playing very well. It starts with me. I have to be better. Then the rest of the guys will follow along. We have to find some juice somewhere.”
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The Broncos defense continues to keep them in games — Denver leads the NFL with 46 sacks through 10 weeks — and the team sits atop the AFC West.
However, the offense’s reliance on late comebacks and third-quarter special-teams plays is an unstable formula for playoff success.
Next up, the Broncos return to Mile High on Nov. 16 to host the Kansas City Chiefs — a matchup that looms as a measuring stick for how real this Broncos surge is.
After that, the Broncos have a Week 12 bye, then road trips to face the Washington Commanders and a rematch with the Raiders in Las Vegas, followed by December games against the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ultimately, ugly wins only carry so far, and matchups won’t be as forgiving in the playoffs. If Denver wants to defend the division and compete for a Super Bowl, the offense will need to clean up its execution quickly.