Broncos' defense shines in 10-7
squeaker over Raiders despite offensive and special teams struggles
[November 07, 2025]
By ARNIE STAPLETON
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos aren't collecting many style points
but as long as they keep racking up more points than their opponents
on the scoreboard, they don't care how ugly it looks.
“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,” coach Sean Payton said after the Broncos squeaked past the
reeling Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on Thursday night.
"You search for that Shangri-La. Right now, you know, we’re sitting
at eight wins. I think we’re the only team sitting there.”
They are.
At 8-2, they own the NFL's best record even though they didn't look
anything like a top team on a windy night in the Rocky Mountains —
save for their defense, which sacked Geno Smith a half-dozen times
in pushing the Broncos' season total to 46, more than any team's had
in its first 10 games since at least 1990.
Because of that defense, Denver won its seventh straight game, the
team's longest winning streak in a decade, and extended its home
winning streak to 10.
“Yeah, we've got to do better,” quarterback Bo Nix said after
throwing for just 150 yards with two interceptions to go with a
touchdown pass. “At some point 10 points ain't going to be enough.
We've got to score more. ... We've got to find some juice
somewhere.”
Nix didn't pull out his usual fourth-quarter heroics and drew the
wrath of the sellout crowd: “I've been booed before and I'll be
booed again.”
The Broncos collected more penalties (11) than first downs (10) and
had seven three-and-outs in 13 possessions. But Denver's defense
didn't allow a first down over seven straight Raiders drives and
came up with a turnover on downs, an interception and a blocked
punt. Las Vegas' last drive ended in a missed field goal that would
have tied it.
The Raiders, who just traded away top receiver Jakobi Meyers, fell
to 2-7.
J.L. Skinner set up the winning field goal by blocking AJ Cole's
punt with his facemask late in the third quarter.
“I'm glad his face was there,” linebacker Alex Singleton said.
Skinner said he didn't realize he blocked the punt with his facemask
until “I saw my visor and it had the mark of the ball on it. A
heads-up play for sure, a head-butt play, honestly, is what I say.”
Skinner's block set up Denver's struggling offense at the Las Vegas
12, but the Broncos lost 2 yards on three plays and Wil Lutz nailed
a 32-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the third quarter to
break a 7-all tie.
Cornerback Kyu Blue Kelly's second interception set up the Raiders
at the Denver 45-yard line in the waning minutes, but Daniel Carlson
was wide right on a 48-yard field-goal try with 4:26 remaining.
Carlson has had a rough season. His game-winning field-goal attempt
against the Bears was blocked in Week 4 and he missed an extra point
last week in a one-point loss to Jacksonville.
“He’s got to kick better," Raiders coach Pete Carroll said. "I know
it kills him, too. He wants to make every one of those.”
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Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) makes a 32-yard field goal during
the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas
Raiders Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David
Zalubowski)
The Broncos chewed up the rest of the clock with a
methodical drive at last and ending up taking kneel-downs in victory
formation inside the Raiders 20-yard line after Las Vegas ran out of
timeouts.
The game was a typical Thursday night flag-fest with neither team
able to get into an offensive rhythm. A steady stream of players —
including Smith — retreated to the sidelines and the blue tent to
have injuries checked out.
The Broncos' trend of slow starts continued as they managed just 6
yards in six first-quarter snaps and trailed 7-0 after allowing
Ashton Jeanty's 4-yard touchdown run.
The Broncos finally got a first down on their fifth possession when
J.K. Dobbins scampered for a 13-yard gain on first down. Four plays
later, Nix found Troy Franklin for an 11-yard touchdown to tie it at
7.
Smith briefly left the game after getting tripped up by Nik Bonitto
and smothered by Malcolm Roach. Raiders backup Kenny Pickett threw
one incompletion before Smith returned, but he limped into the
locker room and appeared to be in some discomfort.
“He wanted to go back in, and he wanted to finish the game for his
team," Carroll said. "He got whacked in the quad; he has a quad
bruise. That’s his fight.
“To fight against these guys like that the whole night long and have
a chance to tie the game up, and then what would have happened
next?" Carroll mused. "I don’t know, I think we would have won.”
Injuries
Raiders: RG Jackson Powers-Johnson injured his left leg and didn't
return. LG Dylan Parham sprained an ankle. ... S Tristin McCollum
was evaluated for a concussion in the second half.
Broncos: All-Pro RG Quinn Meinerz left in the third quarter with an
illness. ... Star cornerback Pat Surtain II missed his second
straight game with a strained pectoral muscle, and All-Pro kick
returner and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. wasn't cleared from the
concussion protocol in time to play. LB Karene Reid and OLB Jonah
Elliss sustained hamstring injuries,
Up next
Raiders: Host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, Nov. 17.
Broncos: Host the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 16.
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