Broncos' Dominant Pass Rush Leads to Seventh Straight Victory Over Raiders

The Denver Broncos continued their impressive midseason surge with a gritty 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High, marking their seventh consecutive win and maintaining their position atop the AFC West standings. While the offensive performance left much to be desired, the Broncos' defensive unit delivered a masterclass in pass rush dominance that ultimately decided the contest.

Defensive Dominance Carries the Day

Denver's defense proved to be the difference-maker in what evolved into a classic defensive struggle. The Broncos' pass rush overwhelmed the Raiders' offensive line throughout the game, recording six sacks against quarterback Geno Smith, with five of those coming in the first half alone. This relentless pressure disrupted Las Vegas's offensive rhythm and limited the Raiders to just 186 total yards and 10 first downs for the entire game.

The defensive performance was particularly impressive given the challenging circumstances created by Denver's offensive struggles. The Broncos' offense managed only 220 total yards and endured seven three-and-out possessions, placing constant pressure on the defense to maintain field position and keep the game within reach. Despite these challenges, the unit delivered one of its most complete performances of the season.

Critical Defensive Plays

Beyond the consistent pressure on Smith, the Broncos made several game-changing defensive plays that shifted momentum. Safety JL Skinner's blocked punt in the third quarter proved particularly crucial, as the ball caromed off his face mask and was recovered by Denver at the Las Vegas 12-yard line. This prime field position led to the go-ahead field goal that ultimately decided the contest.

The defensive effort also included two interceptions by cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, one coming on a second-quarter overthrow and another on a tipped pass in the fourth quarter. These takeaways helped offset Denver's own offensive miscues and maintained pressure on the Raiders throughout the second half.

Offensive Challenges and Silver Linings

While the defensive performance shone brightly, the Broncos' offense struggled to find consistency. Quarterback Bo Nix finished 16-of-28 for 150 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, looking unsettled for much of the game. The Broncos didn't record their first offensive first down until just over five minutes remained in the first half, and their initial scoring drive didn't come until tying the game 7-7 with 2:41 left before halftime.

The connection between Nix and rookie receiver Troy Franklin provided one of the few offensive highlights, with Franklin catching Denver's lone touchdown pass. However, the offense's inability to sustain drives and poor field position—three of Denver's first four possessions started inside their own 5-yard line—created significant challenges throughout the contest.

Raiders' Rookie Growing Pains

For Las Vegas, the game highlighted the challenges of integrating young talent following recent roster changes. With first-year wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. seeing extended playing time after Tuesday's trade of Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders struggled with execution at critical moments. Penalties on both young receivers negated significant offensive plays, including a 32-yard carry by rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and a 31-yard touchdown catch by Tre Tucker.

Jeanty, who scored Las Vegas's only touchdown, also battled consistency issues with two dropped passes, one of which resulted in an interception. Despite these struggles, the Raiders' defense delivered its best performance of the season, holding Denver to minimal offensive production and keeping the game within reach until the final minutes.

Looking Ahead

The victory improves Denver to 8-2 and sets up a crucial AFC West showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday. The Broncos' defense continues to chase history, with their 46 sacks through 10 games putting them on pace to challenge the 1984 Chicago Bears' single-season record of 72 sacks.

For the Raiders, who fell to 2-7, the focus turns to development and consistency as they prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The performance highlighted both the potential and growing pains of their young offensive weapons, suggesting continued evolution will be necessary as the season progresses.