3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos scraped past the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night with a narrow 10-7 win — one of the least inspiring victories of the Payton/Nix era. Despite the lackluster performance, Denver extended its winning streak to seven and improved to 8-2, a mark the team hasn’t reached since 2015.
An Unconvincing Victory
This was far from an impressive showing in primetime. Many fans might describe it as an “Ug-fest,” given the offensive struggles and missed opportunities. Yet the record itself signals progress, even if the execution did not.
The Offense Remains a Concern
It’s becoming clear that Denver’s offense is in disarray, and accountability starts with head coach Sean Payton, who also handles play-calling duties. The game plan lacked rhythm and creativity where it mattered most.
Questionable Play Calling
“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.”
On a critical third down, a trick play failed badly — a backward pass to Courtland Sutton was quickly read by the Raiders’ defense, and with no passing lane open, Sutton lost five yards. That misfire turned a manageable 53-yard field goal into a risky 58-yarder for kicker Wil Lutz.
Offensive Inefficiency
Denver suffered multiple three-and-outs throughout the night, highlighting a lack of execution and poor decision-making. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix delivered what may have been his roughest performance as a professional.
Final Thought
Even though the Broncos came away victorious, the night exposed deep issues on offense that threaten to derail their momentum.
Author’s Summary: A gritty win kept Denver’s streak alive, but undisciplined play-calling and offensive inconsistency continue to overshadow the team’s strong record.