On the Raiders’ second drive, quarterback Geno Smith connected on a few key passes against Denver’s defense, setting up rookie Ashton Jeanty for a touchdown. Jeanty, showing remarkable toughness, delivered a strong hit to Talanoa Hufanga before scoring. This marked the first red-zone touchdown scored at Empower Field since Week 8, causing the Broncos to regroup defensively.
At halftime, with the score tied 7-7, safety Talanoa Hufanga addressed the team, emphasizing the need for improvement. He held the defense accountable, stating that any touchdown allowed was unacceptable regardless of offensive struggles.
"We gotta be better," Hufanga recalled saying. "It’s set every week that — they can’t score at all. It’s tough for us to even give them a touchdown. We want to hold teams to field goals, or get off the field if we can’t get turnovers."
Following halftime, Denver’s defense dominated, shutting out the Raiders in the final three quarters and securing a 10-7 victory. The unit recorded six sacks and prevented any additional points, highlighting their pivotal role in the win.
Denver’s defense remains confident in their ability to stop any opponent, focusing on minimal scoring despite offensive challenges.
"We can stop anybody," the Broncos’ defense believes.
Author’s summary: Denver’s defense demonstrated resilience and dominance, emphasizing a team-wide commitment to shut down opponents and maintain their standard of excellence.