For the seventh consecutive victory, the Denver Broncos defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on Thursday night.
With their longest winning streak since 2015, the defensive-dominated victory propelled Denver to an NFL-best record of 8-2 and increased their lead over the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) in the AFC West division.
With their tenth straight victory at Mile High Stadium, the Broncos, whose defenders recorded six sacks and an interception, climbed to 5-0 at home this season and joined Indianapolis as the only teams without a home loss.
“We have a really good defense and they showed up again tonight,” Nix stated. “We didn’t give them the best of fields at times but they still made plays and kept them out of field goal range.”
“They keep winning games for us and getting us the ball back and at some point we have to return to favor.”
Due to a bye week, the Broncos’ next game—and only one in the following 23 days—will take place at home on November 16 against division foe Kansas City (5-4).
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Nix stated. “But we’re winning and that’s all that matters.”
Las Vegas took the lead 11:58 into the game thanks to a four-yard touchdown run by Ashton Jeanty, but defenses took control after that.
With 5:58 left in the second quarter, Denver, the NFL leaders in quarterback sacks, pulled down Geno Smith of the Raiders to take possession on downs close to midfield.
The Broncos scored their first point of the game on the following play, and four plays later, Nix threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin, tying the score at seven.
Nix’s run of games with a touchdown pass now stands at eighteen.
The Broncos got a respite when Vegas punter A.J. Cole’s kick was blocked by J.L. Skinner using his facemask, putting the Broncos at the Raiders’ 12-yard line.
Denver led 10-7 at the half thanks to a 32-yard field goal from Wil Lutz, despite the Raiders forcing a fast fourth down.
With 7:16 remaining, Kyu Blu Kelly set up the Raiders (2-7) at the Denver 45-yard line by intercepting a Nix ball for the second time in the game.
With 4:26 left, the Broncos maintained their advantage after Daniel Carlson missed a 48-yard field goal attempt.
After seizing the ball, Denver ran out of time. With 77 yards on 18 carries, running back J.K. Dobbins topped all running backs.
Nix completed 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
On 16 of 26 passes, Geno Smith finished with 143 passing yards and an interception. On 19 carries, Jeanty would end the game with 60 running yards.
Denver’s total offensive yards were 220 while the Raiders’ were only 188.
It was one of the worst games of the 2025 NFL season, with 22 penalties (11 for each side), eight sacks, and three forced turnovers.
Before the game, there was a minute of silence in memory of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 24.