Broncos edge Raiders behind stingy defense for 8-2 start
Denver’s defense delivered a dominant performance, sacking Geno Smith six times to offset uneven play from the offense and special teams in a 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite frequent penalties on both sides, the Broncos secured their eighth win of the season.
“We’ve got to clean up some of the penalties. We’ve got to clean up the execution and that is an ongoing thing that probably never ends,”
said Coach Sean Payton after the narrow win on Thursday night. He added that while the team still seeks its ideal form, an 8-2 record puts them at the top of the league standings.
Defense leads the charge
The Broncos’ defense, relentless all night, recorded six sacks on Geno Smith, boosting their season total to 46—the most by any NFL team through 10 games since at least 1990. That defensive pressure was key to securing Denver’s seventh straight victory and stretching their home winning streak to 10 games.
Offense struggles to find rhythm
Quarterback Bo Nix threw for 150 yards, connecting on one touchdown pass but also tossing two interceptions. The passing game struggled to generate sustained drives, leaving the offense reliant on the defense’s heroics once again.
“At some point, 10 points ain’t going to be enough. … We’ve got to find some juice somewhere,”
Nix admitted after the game, acknowledging that improvements are needed if the Broncos are to maintain their winning pace.
Looking ahead
As Denver continues its push into the season’s second half, the team’s elite defense remains its backbone, while the offense and special teams must find greater consistency to complement that strength.
Author’s Summary: Denver survived a rough offensive night thanks to a ferocious defense that propelled the Broncos to their seventh straight win and an NFL-best 8-2 record.