The Denver Broncos secured a 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in a Thursday night matchup that stands as one of the ugliest games in NFL history. Both teams committed more penalties than first downs, a feat not seen since 1976. The low-scoring affair highlighted offensive struggles despite a strong Broncos defense.
The Broncos improved to 8-2 and maintained their lead in the AFC West with the narrow win, but the game was defined by inefficiency on both sides. Neither quarterback exceeded 150 passing yards, with Bo Nix totaling 150 for Denver. The Raiders managed more punts than points scored, while the Broncos recorded zero first downs on their first four possessions. The teams combined for just 17 points, the lowest total of the season.
Penalties plagued both squads, with each team drawing 11 flags while achieving only 10 first downs—a rare occurrence last matched in 1976 when the expansion Seattle Seahawks beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10. Denver's offense was limited to 220 total yards, entering the game where teams had gone 0-24 over the past year with 10 or fewer points and under 220 yards. The Broncos defense stepped up, sacking Geno Smith six times and holding Las Vegas to 188 yards.
Postgame, Nix acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, 'At some point, we've got to start moving the ball and scoring some points. Between penalties and sluggish football, we're just not playing very good. It starts with me. I've got to be better. ... We've got to find some juice.' Running back J.K. Dobbins echoed the sentiment, saying, 'Yeah, cool, we're 8-2 ... [but] the defense is winning us the games, and we're not helping them. We're not doing them any justice. ... I feel bad the way we play on offense and the way they play on defense because they're doing so great and we're doing so bad.' Looking ahead, Denver faces the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11, where offensive enhancements will be crucial.