Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos rallied in the second half to take the road win sweeping the Las Vegas Raiders. Here are our game balls for the win.
The final score would suggest the Denver Broncos dominated the Las Vegas Raiders, but the reality was anything but. Denver was down by four into the third quarter before the game’s momentum shifted on a turnover. Denver would score 20 second-half points and move to 7-5 on the season. They are very much in control of their own playoff destiny.
There were several key moments in the game and most led to our game ball sections for this week, so here are Mile High Report’s game balls!
Bo Nix just led the Broncos to something that hasn’t happened since Peyton Manning — they swept the Raiders for the first time since 2014. And Nix is one of the main reasons why. The way Denver’s rookie quarterback is playing right now is some of the best QB play in all of the NFL, let alone for rookies. Nix finished the win over Las Vegas 25-of-42 passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He also had zero turnovers. If Nix isn’t the favorite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after this game than something is really wrong. - Ian St. Clair
Courtland Sutton had one reception in the first half for 17 yards. His second target and catch of the game came in the third quarter and was an 18-yard touchdown. After a monster second half, Sutton finished the game with 8 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns. But almost as important as the TDs were his catches on second and third down that moved the chains. He was clutch when the offense needed not just a spark for itself but a dagger for the Raiders.
“It’s huge. His touchdown, first the one, man-to-man, throw it up, makes a spectacular catch, goes up and gets it,” Bo Nix said of his receiver. “He’s smart. He’s savvy. He makes plays when the ball’s in the air. You can trust him. When it’s up in the air, it’s his or nobody’s. It’s not going to be a pick.”
In a post-game interview, Nix told CBS that he said to Sutton during halftime, “This is your half.” And it was. - Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann
Nik Bonitto gets my game ball for a huge strip sack and another great game. While he only recorded three tackles, two of those were TFLs. His one sack made him the first Bronco to reach double digits in sacks since 2018 when both Von Miller and Bradley Chubb did it. He also had a QBhit and probably at least one more pressure. Nik has turned into an elite edge defender now that he can set the edge in the run game and rush the passer. - Joe Mahoney
Wil Lutz gets my game ball as he scored the majority of...
