Wil Lutz’s 32-yard field goal with five seconds left in the third quarter broke a 7-7 tie and propelled the Denver Broncos to a narrow victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, winning the game 10-7. The Broncos capitalized on a stunning defensive performance, as they sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith six times, effectively compensating for what was otherwise a spotty outing by their own offence and special teams. In a post-game statement, quarterback Bo Nix remarked, “We’ve got to do better,” acknowledging the team’s struggles despite their winning record.
This victory marked the Broncos’ seventh consecutive win, elevating their record to 8-2, which remains the best in the league. However, they did not play to their potential on a blustery night in the Rocky Mountains. Although they managed to outscore a struggling Raiders team that now holds a 2-7 record, the Broncos’ performance hardly reflected their lofty standing. The Raiders, who recently traded away their top receiver Jakobi Meyers, fought hard but ultimately fell short, extending Denver’s NFL-best home winning streak to ten games.
The defining moment came courtesy of Wil Lutz, who redeemed himself after previously missing a long 59-yard attempt earlier in the third quarter. Setting the stage for Lutz’s successful kick was an impressive play from J.L. Skinner, who blocked AJ Cole’s punt, giving the Broncos excellent field position at the Las Vegas 12-yard line. After a disappointing series of plays that resulted in a loss of two yards, Lutz managed to convert a difficult field goal through the blustery winds, granting Denver its first lead of the night.
In a nail-biting finish, Broncos cornerback Kyu Blue Kelly’s interception granted the Raiders a chance at tying the game, setting them up on the Denver 45-yard line with minutes to spare. However, Daniel Carlson’s attempt at a 48-yard field goal sailed wide right, squandering an opportunity to equalize the score. As the clock wound down, the Broncos effectively chewed up the remaining minutes with a methodical drive, concluding the game with kneel-downs in victory formation inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line after Las Vegas had expended all their timeouts.
Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm throughout the game. The Broncos’ trend of slow starts continued, as they garnered a mere six yards on their first six snaps and found themselves trailing 7-0 after allowing Ashton Jeanty to score a four-yard touchdown run. It wasn’t until their fifth possession that the Broncos finally achieved their first first down, with J.K. Dobbins sprinting for a 13-yard gain. Shortly thereafter, Bo Nix connected with Troy Franklin for an 11-yard touchdown pass to tie the game, highlighting the Broncos’ resilience.
Despite the lack of offensive fireworks, the defense shined brightly, tallying five sacks in the first half alone, bringing the season total to an impressive 46, the highest for any team through the first ten games since at least 1990. However, special teams issues persisted for the Broncos, as rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw struggled, shanking three first-half punts that traveled only 30, 36, and 38 yards. Nevertheless, Skinner’s impressive punt block helped somewhat alleviate those missteps.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Bo Nix expressed concern, stating, “At some point 10 points ain’t going to be enough. We’ve got to score more. We’ve got to find some juice somewhere.” The Broncos will need to address these inconsistencies as they move forward in the season, aiming for a more cohesive performance when they next take the field.
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