Broncos-Raiders Report Card: A Struggle Saved by Pass-Rush
The Broncos managed a gritty 10-7 victory, improving their record to an impressive 8-2 despite a messy performance. Here’s The Denver Post’s analysis from the game.
Game Atmosphere
Thursday night at Empower Field at Mile High was “Let’s Glow Back” night, featuring a halftime show with dancers clad in LED suits lighting up the sky. This spectacle outshined anything else on the field, providing a bright backdrop to a dim offensive display.
Defensive Dominance
The Raiders’ defense, ranked 23rd in the NFL for points allowed per game, looked overwhelmed for much of the game. The Broncos made them resemble the dominant 1985 Chicago Bears defense through nearly four quarters.
Offensive Struggles
- Denver’s offense was inconsistent and struggled on most drives, going three-and-out on eight of 13 possessions.
- Quarterback Bo Nix had difficulty with decision-making, accuracy, and footwork for the second consecutive game, completing 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
- Wide receiver Troy Franklin appeared frustrated after several missed deep passes, continuing a pattern of misconnection between the former Oregon teammates.
- The Broncos recorded negative net yardage on four drives, highlighting their offensive woes.
Only late in the fourth quarter did Nix spark some hope with a timely rollout to Franklin on a crucial third down to help secure the win.
“This unit’s completely bipolar. No game-to-game consistency whatsoever.”
Summary
The Broncos once again leaned on their strong pass rush and defense to carry them through an uneven offensive showing, grinding out a narrow win over the Raiders.
Author’s Insight
Despite offensive setbacks, Denver’s defense and critical plays under pressure have kept their season strong, though consistency remains a challenge.