Broncos’ defence shines in narrow win over Raiders despite offensive struggles

DENVER — The Denver Broncos don't score many points on style, but as long as they continue to put up more points than their opponents on the scoreboard, they don't care how ugly it looks.

“We've got to fix some penalties. We've got to fix the execution, and that's an ongoing thing that's probably never going to end,” coach Sean Payton said after the Broncos beat the reeling Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on Thursday night.

“You are looking for this Shangri-La. Right now, you know, we have eight wins. I think we're the only team sitting there.”

At 8-2, they own the best record in the NFL, although they didn't look like the best team at all on a windy Rockies night — save for a defense that sacked Geno Smith a half-dozen times, bringing the Broncos' season total to 46, the most of any team in their first 10 games since at least 1990.

With this defense, Denver won its seventh straight game, the team's longest winning streak in a decade, and extended its home winning streak to 10.

“Yeah, we need to play better,” quarterback Bo Nix said after throwing for just 150 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown pass. “At some point, 10 points won't be enough. We need to score more… We need to find some juice somewhere.”

Nix didn't show his usual heroics in the fourth quarter and drew the ire of the sold-out crowd: “I've been booed before and I'll be booed again.”

The Broncos collected more penalties (11) than first downs (10) and had seven three-and-outs in 13 possessions. But Denver's defense didn't allow a first down on seven consecutive Raider drives and forced turnovers on downs, an interception and a blocked punt. Las Vegas' last drive ended with a missed field goal that could have tied the game.

The Raiders, who just traded top receiver Jakobi Meyers, fell to 2-7.

JL Skinner set up the game-winning field goal by blocking AJ Cole's punt with his facemask late in the third quarter.

“I'm glad his face was here,” linebacker Alex Singleton said.

Skinner said he didn't realize he blocked the punt with his face mask until “I saw my visor and there was no mark of the ball on it. Head-to-head play, header play, honestly, that's what I'm saying.”

Skinner's block started Denver's struggling offense at the Las Vegas 12, but the Broncos lost 2 yards on three plays and Wil Lutz kicked a 32-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the third quarter to break a 7-all tie.

Q cornerback Blue Kelly's second interception in the final minutes brought the Raiders to Denver's 45-yard line, but Daniel Carlson went wide on a 48-yard field goal attempt with 4:26 left.

Carlson has had a tough season. His game-winning field goal attempt against the Bears was blocked in Week 4, and he missed an extra point last week in a one-point loss to Jacksonville.

“He's got to hit better,” Raiders coach Pete Carroll said. “I know it’s killing him too. He wants to do it all.”

Finally, the Broncos chewed up the rest of the clock with a methodical attack and eventually knelt in victory formation at the Raiders' 20-yard line after Las Vegas timeouts ran out.

The game was a typical Thursday night flag fest, with neither team able to get into an attacking rhythm. A steady stream of players, including Smith, retreated to the sideline and blue tent to check for injuries.

The Broncos' trend of slow starts continued as they managed just 6 yards on six snaps in the first quarter and fell behind 7-0 after allowing a 4-yard touchdown run to Ashton Ginty.

The Broncos finally got a first down on their fifth possession when J.C. Dobbins rushed for 13 yards on first down. Four plays later, the Nix found Troy Franklin for an 11-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7.

Smith left the game briefly after being tripped by Nick Bonitto and choked out by Malcolm Roach. Raiders backup Kenny Pickett threw one incomplete before Smith returned, but he limped into the locker room and appeared to be in some discomfort.

“He wanted to get back on track and finish the game for his team,” Carroll said. “He was hit in the quad, he has a bruise in the quad. This is his fight.

“To go up against these guys all night and have a chance to tie the score, what would happen next?” Carroll thought about it. “I don’t know, I think we would have won.”

Raiders: R.G. Jackson Powers-Johnson injured his left leg and did not return. LG Dylan Parham sprained his ankle. … Tristin McCollum was diagnosed with a concussion in the second half.

Broncos: All-Pro RG Quinn Meinertz left in the third quarter with an illness. … Star defensive end Pat Surtain II missed his second straight game with a pectoral strain, and All-Pro kick returner and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. was not cleared from concussion protocol in time to play. LB Karen Reed and OLB Jonah Ellis suffered hamstring injuries.

Raiders: Host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, November 17th.

Broncos: Host the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 16.