The short week was not kind for the Denver Broncos offense. Then again, normal weeks aren’t kind either. At least in terms of how they play early in games. The biggest issue, however, was penalties. The Las Vegas Raiders had tons of opportunities to get up big early, but squandered those and the game turned into a defensive struggle.
In a game of attrition, the Broncos lack of discipline is what kept the Raiders in it. They would persevere and hold on late to move to 8-2 on the season. Now they must prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs. If the play like this next week, it will absolutely get ugly fast for Denver.
Broncos vs. Raiders final score
### Team ### 1st ### 2nd ### 3rd ### 4th ### Final
Las Vegas Raiders 7 0 0 0 7
Denver Broncos 0 7 3 0 10
First Quarter
The Broncos offense continued their streak of terrible starts in games running just six plays and zero first downs in the opening quarter. The Raiders had no such problems as their offensive line seemed to be bullying the Broncos defensive line. Their first drive ended in a sack, but they were able to flip field position. With that second possession they drove down a short field where Ashton Jeanty would run in from six yards out for the game’s first score.
The troubling starts for Bo Nix and the offense is going to be a problem if they can’t figure it out soon. Especially down the stretch.
Raiders 7, Broncos 0. Full first quarter recap.
Second Quarter
The three-and-out woes would continue to plague the Broncos offense throughout the first half, but it was one drive where that wouldn’t be a problem. A huge 44-yard pass play to Pay Bryant after yet another penalty set the Broncos back, would resulted in their first points of the game.
Troy Franklin would catch a touchdown from Bo Nix on a quick six yard slant into the end zone to tie the game up. To be honest, the Raiders squandered a ton of opportunities in the first half and Denver was lucky the score was tied after two quarters.
Broncos 7, Raiders 7. Full second quarter recap.
Third Quarter
The offense woes continued to plague the Broncos to start the second half, but most of those came in the form of very untimely penalties. Those drive killers kept the score tight. There were also head-scratchers like this play call on third and one.
The Broncos offense had two chances for field goals in the quarter. The penalty problem knocked them out of range both times. One resulted in a missed 59-yard field goal by Wil Lutz and the other a punt. The good news is the Broncos special teams unit, which has been much-maligned in recent weeks, got a massive game-changing play late in the quarter from a blocked punt by JL Skinner.
The Broncos wouldn’t get anywhere with that possession, but the chip-shot field goal would give them the lead heading into the final quarter.
Broncos 10, Raiders 7. Full third quarter recap.
Fourth Quarter
Geno Smith was knocked out of the game briefly in the fourth quarter leading to Kenny Pickett taking over. That would kill their first drive of the quarter, but he’d return immediately after once the Broncos offense laid down yet another three-and-out in this game.
The big break for Vegas came in the form of a dropped pass by Troy Franklin that popped up into the waiting arms of a defender to give the Raiders the ball back at the Broncos 45 yard line. They would get the ball close enough for a 48-yard field goal attempt by Daniel Carlson, but he would push the ball wide right to keep the Broncos in the lead with less than five minutes left in the game.
After getting some early momentum from JK Dobbins, Nix would hit Troy Franklin on a third and one for a huge gain into Raiders territory.
Two plays later on third and inches with the two minute warning approaching, all Denver needed was one more first down to pretty much end it with the Raiders having no timeouts left. Nix would take the snap and dive forward for the first down. On the next play, Dobbins would plow forward for six yards to bring the game to the two minute warning. They would pick up a first down and move to 8-2 after a brutally difficult win at home against the Raiders.
Broncos 10, Raiders 7.