The Denver Broncos scraped out an unappealing victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, winning 10-7 in a game that felt like neither team truly deserved to claim.
It wasn’t a classic defensive duel or a tactical showdown; instead, it seemed like a contest to determine which side could stay less error-prone. The Raiders had opportunities to capitalize as the Broncos struggled offensively but failed to do so.
In the final moments, Daniel Carlson missed a 48-yard field goal that sealed Denver’s narrow escape. With the win, the Broncos improved to 8-2, extending their streak to seven straight victories, though the performance did little to sway critics who remain doubtful about their championship potential.
“Whether it was due to the short week, the Denver wind, or a mix of both, this was just bad football.”
The defensive front, however, showed strength. The Broncos pressured Geno Smith relentlessly, finishing with six sacks and several hits. Smith was visibly slowed by the end, but the Raiders opted to keep him in over switching to Kenny Pickett.
Nik Bonitto stood out with 1.5 sacks and constant disruption, stepping up whenever Denver’s defense needed a big play.
Author’s summary: The Broncos extended their win streak despite a sloppy 10-7 performance, relying on defensive grit more than offensive execution.