3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos managed a narrow 10-7 divisional win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, in what might be the least inspiring victory of the Payton–Nix era.
Despite the ugly prime-time showing, the triumph extended Denver’s winning streak to seven games and brought their record to 8-2 — their best start since 2015. Still, the performance raised serious concerns about the direction of the offense and decision-making on the sidelines.
The Offense Continues to Struggle
It’s becoming clear that Denver’s offensive issues fall squarely on head coach Sean Payton, who also serves as the play-caller. A capable strategist would have recognized the need to lean on the ground game, especially in critical moments, yet questionable decisions plagued the night.
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.
The ill-fated play saw Bo Nix toss the ball to Courtland Sutton behind the line, intended to set up a pass downfield. With no open targets, Sutton was tackled for a loss, turning a manageable 53-yard field goal into a daunting 58-yarder for Wil Lutz.
Offensive Inconsistency and Execution Issues
The Broncos’ offense stalled repeatedly, tallying so many three-and-outs that the exact number was hard to track. Their inability to sustain drives left the defense carrying most of the burden. Quarterback Bo Nix also delivered one of his poorest performances as a professional, further compounding Denver’s offensive woes.
Even with the win, Denver’s Thursday night showing left fans wondering how long their good fortune can outweigh their flawed execution.
Author’s Summary
Denver’s narrow victory exposed the cracks in its offensive play-calling and execution, suggesting their impressive record masks deeper inconsistencies that could derail momentum.