3 Brutal Takeaways From Broncos' 10-7 Win vs. Raiders on TNF
The Denver Broncos barely secured a divisional win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, edging out a 10-7 victory. This game was far from impressive, arguably an "Ug-fest." Despite the ugly performance, the Broncos extended their winning streak to seven games and improved to 8-2 on the season for the first time since 2015, which is a promising sign.
Key Insights From the Broncos' Struggle
It’s clear the Broncos’ offense remains a major problem, and accountability lies primarily with Sean Payton. As both head coach and play-caller, Payton must address these issues. For example, during a crucial third-quarter drive, instead of focusing on the ground game to maintain forward momentum on third-and-1, Payton called an unusual trick play that cost the team five yards.
“A throw to Courtland Sutton behind the line of scrimmage was sniffed out by the Raiders, and while the veteran wide receiver was obviously supposed to throw it downfield, everyone was covered, so he lost the yardage.”
This setback led to a more challenging 58-yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz, instead of a makeable 53-yarder. The Broncos also suffered many three-and-outs, which seriously hampered their offensive rhythm.
The Raiders exploited these mistakes effectively, while Broncos' quarterback Bo Nix arguably delivered his worst professional performance to date.
Summary
The Broncos' win highlights their defensive strengths but exposes an ineffective offense that requires swift adjustments from the coaching staff.