Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos hosted the Las Vegas Raiders for a division rivalry matchup on Thursday Night Football. While the Broncos were hoping to play a complete game, it was another ugly one. At the end of four quarters, Denver was once again victorious defeating the Raiders 10-7. That marks seven wins in a row and eight total after ten games. Let’s get into some instant reactions and takeaways from tonight.
Another “Yikes!” performance by Bo Nix and the Broncos’ offense.
Everyone across Broncos Country was hoping for Bo Nix and the Broncos’ offense to have a fast start against the Raiders. They’ve struggled mightily in that regard this season and have only scored first only once in ten contests.
Unfortunately, it was another slow start offense for Denver’s offense to start the game. Their first four drives resulted in three-and-outs and took very little time off the clock. They finally obtained a first down on a J.K. Dobbins run to the outside on their fifth drive late in the second quarter. After that, a 43-yard catch and run by Pat Bryant was the prelude to the eventual 7-yard touchdown grab by Troy Franklin.
With a good stop by the defense, the Broncos had one last drive to end the half. However, it was an absolute failure plagued by penalties and ended in Bo Nix moonball into double coverage that was intercepted. The scoring drive was great. Everything else from the Broncos—absolutely horrendous. They had more penalties than first downs in the first half. You simply can’t have four three-and-outs and a turnover in five of your first six offensive possessions.
In the second half of the game, it was much more of the same. Denver kept stacking penalties, dropping passes, and couldn’t find their groove whatsoever. I felt the Raiders’ defense did a good job in the trenches against the Broncos’ offense line. That caused some problems for Nix, who looked awfully uncomfortable and flustered in the pocket. His footwork and ball placement was some of the worst we have seen all season.
Halfway through the third quarter, Nix had another interception on a pass that sailed passed Bryant and went off Franklin’s hands into a Raiders’ defensive backs hands. At first glance, I’m not even sure that ball was intended for #11. Either way, the end result was emblematic of how lackluster the offense was all game long. And quite frankly, how uninspiring it has been throughout their ‘25 campaign.
Nix finished the game going 16-of-28 for 150 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. The same mistakes keep happening over and over again. It’s getting absolutely maddening. They have a little bit more time to get things going in the right direction before playing the Kansas City Chiefs next week, but I’m extremely concerned with how bad the passing game looked tonight.
The defense did their part dialing up the heat on Geno Smith and erasing Brock Bowers from the game.
While the offense and special teams have...
