3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF

The Denver Broncos narrowly defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on Thursday Night Football in what was one of the least inspiring wins during the Payton/Nix era. Despite the low-scoring and awkward nature of the game, the Broncos extended their winning streak to seven games and improved to 8-2 on the season for the first time since 2015.

Offense Shows Serious Struggles

The Broncos' offensive performance was underwhelming and revealed significant issues. The offense remained stagnant, and the team faced numerous three-and-outs throughout the game, hindering offensive momentum.

Questionable Play-Calling by Sean Payton

The head coach and play-caller Sean Payton made puzzling decisions that hurt the team's chances. On a crucial 3rd-and-1 in the third quarter, instead of focusing on the ground game, Payton called a trick play featuring a backward pass to Courtland Sutton behind the line of scrimmage. The Raiders' defense quickly anticipated this, resulting in a five-yard loss.

"Explain why a savvy play-caller would get his ground game going on a much-needed third-quarter drive, only to call a head-scratching trick play on 3rd-&-1 that lost five yards."

This failed play forced a longer field goal attempt from 58 yards by Wil Lutz, making it more difficult to convert.

Bo Nix's Performance

Quarterback Bo Nix struggled significantly, putting in one of the worst performances of his professional career, which further limited the Broncos' offensive effectiveness.

"Bo Nix played arguably his worst game as a pro."

Season Implications

Despite the game’s flaws, the Broncos remain in a strong position with an 8-2 record, showcasing resilience but highlighting critical areas for improvement.

Author's summary: The Broncos secured a gritty 10-7 win with a struggling offense and questionable coaching decisions, yet their seven-game winning streak reflects promising potential despite the flaws.

Sports Illustrated — 2025-11-07