3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos managed to edge out the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on Thursday night, delivering one of the least inspiring wins of the Payton/Nix era. It was far from pretty, yet it marked their seventh straight victory and pushed them to an 8-2 record — their best start since 2015.
A Win Without Style
Despite the victory, the game felt more like an endurance test than a triumph. The offense looked lost and inconsistent, struggling to maintain rhythm and production through most of the night.
Offensive Struggles Continue
The central issue lies in Denver’s offensive play-calling. As both head coach and play-caller, Sean Payton carries responsibility for the lackluster attack. A questionable decision on a crucial third-quarter drive summed it up — instead of pressing the ground game, the team called a trick play on 3rd-and-1 that backfired.
“A throw to Courtland Sutton behind the line of scrimmage was sniffed out by the Raiders, and while the veteran wide receiver was supposed to throw it downfield, everyone was covered.”
The play lost five yards, turning a manageable 53-yard field goal attempt for Wil Lutz into a much tougher 58-yarder. The Broncos repeatedly went three-and-out, and their offense never found a rhythm.
Nix’s Rough Night
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix appeared rattled, delivering one of his poorest performances as a professional. His struggles contributed significantly to the team’s inability to sustain drives or capitalize on key moments.
Summary
The Broncos won, but their offense remains deeply flawed; unless Payton finds solutions quickly, this streak may not last much longer.
Author’s summary: Despite securing a seventh consecutive win, Denver’s offense looked lifeless, exposing major play-calling issues that threaten future success.