3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos managed a hard-fought 10-7 divisional victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night — their seventh straight win. Despite the outcome, it was one of the least inspiring performances of the Payton/Nix era.
An Uninspiring Win Despite Momentum
Although the team improved to 8-2 for the first time since 2015, their performance raised serious concerns. It was an ugly primetime game that showed more flaws than progress, even as the win streak continues.
Offensive Collapse
The Broncos' offense struggled all night. Drives continually stalled, and Denver’s rhythm never materialized. According to the game flow, three-and-outs piled up to the point where "I honestly lost count," suggesting severe inefficiency.
Questionable Play Calling
"The buck stops with Payton — not just because he's the head coach, but because he's the play-caller."
Criticism centered on Sean Payton’s decisions. A particularly puzzling moment came in the third quarter: after finding success on the ground, the Broncos ran a trick play on 3rd-and-1 that backfired. The play — a throw to Courtland Sutton behind the line — lost five yards when the Raiders’ defense anticipated every move. This setback pushed a manageable 53-yard field goal attempt back to an intimidating 58-yarder for Wil Lutz.
Quarterback Struggles
Bo Nix delivered one of his worst performances as a professional. His lack of poise combined with inconsistent protection and erratic play-calling left the offense lifeless.
Final Thoughts
Even in victory, the Broncos' flaws stood out. If the team hopes to sustain their success, accountability and offensive rhythm must improve immediately.
Author’s summary: Denver’s narrow victory exposed serious offensive issues and questionable decisions, overshadowing their impressive record and seven-game winning streak.