3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos barely edged out a divisional victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, winning 10-7 in a game that was far from inspiring during the Payton/Nix era. Despite the lackluster performance, the Broncos extended their winning streak to seven games and improved to 8-2 on the season, a mark they hadn’t reached since 2015.
1. The Offense Struggled Deeply
The Broncos' offense showed severe deficiencies throughout the game, highlighted by multiple three-and-outs. Their inability to sustain drives left much to be desired and contributed heavily to the close scoreline.
2. Questionable Play-Calling Affected Momentum
Head Coach Sean Payton, who also serves as the play-caller, made puzzling decisions that hindered the team's progress. One standout moment was on a crucial third-and-one drive in the third quarter. Rather than sticking to a ground game that could have advanced the ball, Payton called a trick play—a pass behind the line to Courtland Sutton that lost five yards after being read perfectly by the Raiders.
“Explain why a savvy play-caller would get his ground game going on a much-needed third-quarter drive, only to call a head-scratching trick play on 3rd-&-1 that lost five yards.”
This mistake pushed a manageable 53-yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz back to a challenging 58 yards.
3. Bo Nix Delivered a Disappointing Performance
Quarterback Bo Nix struggled mightily in what may have been his worst professional game, further limiting the Broncos' offensive effectiveness.
“Bo Nix played arguably his worst game as a pro.”
Conclusion
While the Broncos have been successful recently, their offense remains a glaring weakness largely tied to questionable play-calling, calling into question their potential to sustain this success in tougher matchups.
Despite the win streak, the Broncos’ offensive woes and coaching choices highlight critical issues that must be resolved for continued success.