3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos edged out the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night with a narrow 10-7 victory. It was one of the least inspiring wins of the Payton/Nix era — an “Ug-fest” might describe it best. Yet, despite the lackluster play, Denver extended its winning streak to seven and reached an 8-2 record for the first time since 2015.
Even with that positive mark, this game served as a wake-up call. The Broncos’ offense continues to struggle badly, and the responsibility falls squarely on coach Sean Payton. As both the head coach and play-caller, he bears the weight of the team’s offensive failures.
“It’s time to face the facts: the Broncos' offense is terrible and the buck stops with Payton.”
Questionable Play-Calling
Denver’s third-quarter performance exemplified the team’s inconsistency. A promising drive built on solid running suddenly ended in confusion when Payton called a puzzling trick play on 3rd-and-1. Courtland Sutton received a backward pass behind the line of scrimmage, appearing ready to throw downfield — but with every receiver covered, the play collapsed for a five-yard loss.
That misstep forced kicker Wil Lutz from a manageable 53-yard field goal attempt into a much tougher 58-yarder. The decision highlighted poor situational choices that plagued Denver throughout the night.
Offensive Struggles Continue
The Broncos endured so many three-and-out drives against the Raiders that keeping track became pointless. Making matters worse, rookie quarterback Bo Nix turned in possibly his weakest performance as a professional, showing discomfort under pressure and little rhythm with his receivers.
Summary
This was a win, but an uninspiring one. Denver’s defense held on, but until the offense finds consistency under Payton’s lead, the team’s playoff hopes rest on shaky ground.
Author’s summary: Despite earning their seventh straight win, the Broncos exposed deep offensive flaws and coaching missteps that could derail their promising 8-2 season.