The Denver Broncos improved to 8-2 with a 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night at Mile High Stadium. The win extended their lead in the AFC West, but the postgame atmosphere reflected concerns rather than celebration.
Players and coaches alike showed visible frustration with an offense that continues to struggle despite the team’s strong record. Quarterback Bo Nix has become the focal point of criticism as Denver’s passing attack remains inconsistent.
The latest voice to question his performance came from ESPN analyst Bart Scott, who attended the Broncos’ 13-11 matchup against the New York Jets in London earlier this season.
“This is a team being held back by their quarterback… I was in that London game, and it was horrible. It was hard to watch. They’re getting away with smoking mirrors, throwing a lot of balls behind the line of scrimmage. He’s not accurate. He’s not making plays down the field, and he’s been held up by this defense, but that defense can only hold up so long…. This isn’t sustainable, and they’re setting themselves up to be a one-and-done team,” Scott said.
.@BartScott57 believes the Broncos are being held back by Bo Nix 😯 pic.twitter.com/8ob7l6GAlD
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 7, 2025
Denver’s defense dominated the Raiders from start to finish in Week 9, creating pressure and limiting scoring chances throughout the night. The offense failed to capitalize on those opportunities. Nix finished with 150 passing yards and two interceptions as the unit managed just 220 total yards.
The Broncos punted seven times, drawing frustration from the home crowd after repeated stalled drives. Even head coach Sean Payton acknowledged the offensive struggles in his postgame comments. He credited the Raiders for their defensive execution but pointed to Denver’s own mistakes as the primary issue.
Despite sitting atop the AFC West and the entire league at 8-2, the Broncos face growing questions about sustainability. Players like J.K. Dobbins have expressed frustration with the inconsistency, stressing that the talent on the roster demands better execution.
Denver’s defense has carried the team through the first half of the season, but the offense must improve for the team to maintain its position.
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