Broncos Defeat Raiders, Improve to 8-2

by Jake Lax, November 07, 2025

Source: AP Photo

Week 10 of the NFL season kicked off with an AFC West matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos. The Raiders are having a very bad season, coming into Thursday night at 2-6, suffering some embarrassing losses along the way, like a 6-40 loss against the Colts and a 0-31 loss against the Chiefs. On the other hand, the Broncos have been rolling, winning their last 6 games.

Thursday night kicked off with the Raiders getting the first possession. Quarterback Geno Smith opened the game with some short completions to wide receiver Tyler Lockett, moving the chains into Denver territory. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty added a few short gains on the ground, helping keep the drive alive. But on 3rd down, the Broncos’ defense stepped up, Eyioma Uwazurike and Zach Allen got to Geno Smith, taking him down for the sack. The Raiders were forced to punt, giving the ball to Denver for the first time.

Raiders & Jeanty Strike First

After a short Denver punt, the Raiders’ offense took over with excellent field position at midfield. Geno Smith quickly went to work, connecting with tight end Michael Mayer on an 11-yard completion to move the chains. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty continued to pound the rock. From just 4 yards out, Jeanty powered through the middle and into the end zone for the touchdown. The score capped off a quick, efficient drive and gave Las Vegas an early 7–0 lead.

The second quarter turned into a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to sustain drives. The Raiders’ pass rush forced Denver quarterback Bo Nix into quick throws and off target passes. The Broncos’ offense failed to find any rhythm, going three-and-out on each of their first three possessions of the game. Meanwhile, the Raiders couldn’t capitalize offensively either, as both teams traded punts back and forth.

Broncos Battle Back Before Halftime

After struggling for most of the first half, Denver finally found a spark late in the second quarter. Running back J.K. Dobbins got the drive started with a 13-yard gain. Bo Nix was then able to deliver a deep ball down the right sideline to wide receiver Pat Bryant for a 43-yard gain, putting Denver on the doorstep. From the 5-yard line, Nix went back to a familiar face, his former Oregon teammate, wide receiver Troy Franklin, who caught the 7-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7–7.

After forcing a Raiders punt, the Denver offense had another chance to score right before the half. Nix completed two passes before trying to find Franklin again, this time deep. Nix overthrew Franklin, and the pass was intercepted by Raider’s cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly.

Defensive Battle in the Second Half

The second half opened much like the first, with both teams trading quick three-and-outs as the defenses continued to control the game. Eventually, Denver’s offense began to move the ball behind the legs of J.K. Dobbins, who picked up a pair of solid runs to move the chains and bring the Broncos into Las Vegas territory. Facing 4th down at the Raiders’ 41-yard line, Denver opted to try for the long field goal. However, kicker Will Lutz’s 59-yard attempt was short, keeping the game tied at 7.

With great field position to start the next drive, Geno Smith threw a pass across the middle to Ashton Jeanty, which Jeanty bobbled, leading to an interception. Dondrea Tillman caught the bobbled pass and returned it for 23 yards.

After another quick three-and-out from Denver, the Raiders took over. But their drive stalled just as quickly, forcing them to punt deep in their own territory. That’s when disaster struck for Las Vegas. The Broncos’ special teams blocked the punt, and Denver recovered at the Raiders’ 12-yard line.

Broncos Hold On

Despite the great field position, the Broncos’ red zone offense was nonexistent. Forced to settle for three, Denver sent out kicker Will Lutz, who hit the 32-yard field goal to give the Broncos their first lead of the night. Denver moved ahead 10–7 at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter turned into more of the same, with both teams trading punts in a field-position battle. But momentum shifted when Bo Nix’s pass to Troy Franklin slipped through the receiver’s hands and into the arms of Kyu Blu Kelly, for his second interception of the game. The Raiders took over at midfield and leaned on Ashton Jeanty to power the drive down to the Denver 30. Facing 3rd down, Geno Smith’s pass fell incomplete, and kicker Daniel Carlson’s 48-yard attempt missed wide right, leaving the score at 10–7 with time winding down. Denver turned to J.K. Dobbins to finish the job. The veteran back churned out tough yards on the ground, helping the Broncos drain the clock and seal a gritty 10–7 victory.

Final Stats and Takeaways

• Kyu Blu Kelly: 2 INT, 1 Tackle
• Denver Defense: 6 Sacks
• AJ Cole: 299 Punting Yards, 48 Long

The Raiders fall to 2-7 on the season and will go to Dallas to take on the Cowboys next week. The Broncos keep their momentum going, improving to 8-2 on the season and first in the AFC West. Denver has now won 7 straight and will take on the Chiefs next week at home, in what should be a great game.