DENVER — The Broncos became the first team in the NFL to reach eight wins this season after a 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High, but the celebration was muted because Denver’s offense again struggled while the defense carried the load.
Denver’s defense dominated Thursday night, registering six sacks and holding the Raiders to 188 total yards. It was the fourth time this season the Broncos allowed one touchdown or fewer and pushed their league-leading sack total to 46 — the most through 10 games since 1990. The result extended Denver’s winning streak to seven games, its longest since it began 7-0 in 2015.
Still, many offensive players were blunt about their performance. Running back J.K. Dobbins said the offense has been letting the defense down and that it’s time for the unit to begin helping its teammates. Quarterback Bo Nix acknowledged penalties and sluggish play have stunted the offense and said the responsibility starts with him: he must be better and get the team “some juice.” Head coach Sean Payton also lamented the number of offensive penalties that put the team in holes.
The numbers underline the concerns. The Broncos managed just 220 yards, punted seven times and had four possessions that went for negative yardage (three in the third quarter). Nix threw two interceptions. Denver has scored 18 points or fewer in three of its past five games and failed to score in the first quarter for a fourth time this season. The offense’s miscues and lack of consistency were so pronounced that fans in the sellout crowd booed as the unit trotted off the field before a punt.
Penalties were a recurring problem: Denver finished with 11 accepted penalties for 78 yards, eight of them on offense. Over 10 games the Broncos have been flagged 52 times on offense — the second-most in the league behind Jacksonville (53 in eight games).
The game’s decisive points came after a special-teams play. Safety JL Skinner blocked a Raiders punt, giving Denver the ball at the Las Vegas 12-yard line with 1:29 left in the third quarter. The offense lost two yards over the next three plays, but Wil Lutz converted a 32-yard field goal that proved to be the difference.
Even with the offense’s shortcomings, defensive leaders insisted they will keep doing their part. Linebacker Alex Singleton said the defense will continue to give the offense opportunities, and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto — who had 1.5 sacks vs. the Raiders — emphasized the defense’s focus on getting stops regardless of what the offense or special teams do.
For now, the Broncos sit atop the AFC West and are riding a seven-game streak, but players and coaches agree the offense needs to produce more consistently if Denver hopes to maintain its run. As Nix put it: 10 points won’t always be enough.
