Broncos’ cross rush an excessive amount of for Raiders in defensive wrestle

DENVER — It wasn’t creative, however the Denver Broncos notched their seventh straight victory, outlasting the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 in a defensive wrestle at Empower Area on Mile Excessive.

The Broncos stayed atop the AFC West due to a protection that sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith six instances and held Las Vegas to solely 10 first downs. Bo Nix hit Troy Franklin for Denver’s landing, whereas rookie operating again Ashton Jeanty‘s landing was the one Raiders rating. Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson missed a game-tying 48-yard subject aim with 4:26 left.

Listed here are a very powerful issues to know from Thursday night time for each groups:

The Broncos proceed to check the boundaries of one of many league’s greatest defenses week in and week out. Thursday night time was no exception. because the Broncos overcame their very own migraine-inducing struggles on offense and within the punt sport to outlive and seize the victory.

The Broncos improved to 8-2 and gained their seventh straight sport for the primary time since 2015, however they did not make it simple. They did not get their preliminary first down on offense till there have been simply over 5 minutes left within the first half and did not rating till tying the sport 7-7 with 2:41 left within the first half. The Broncos’ offense had seven three-and-outs and an eighth possession that ended on an interception.

However aside from a 41-yard landing drive on Las Vegas’ second possession of the sport, when the Raiders inherited the ball in Broncos territory after a 30-yard punt by rookie Jeremy Crawshaw, the Broncos’ protection was in lockdown. It held the Raiders to 186 yards and had six sacks (5 within the first half) to arrange an AFC West showdown with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs per week from Sunday.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Nix seemed unsettled early, as his first three dropbacks of the sport included a sack and a misfire to tight finish Evan Engram on a three-and-out. However in contrast to earlier weeks, he by no means discovered his steadiness. He definitely wasn’t helped by the Broncos’ field-position struggles for a lot of the primary half — three of Denver’s first 4 possessions of the sport began at its personal 2, 20 and 1-yard traces, respectively — however 43 of his 101 passing yards within the first half got here on one completion to rookie Pat Bryant. Nix threw two interceptions to Kyu Blu Kelly, one on a second-quarter overthrow and one other on a tipped cross within the fourth. He completed 16-of-28 for 150 yards with a landing and two picks.

Largest gap within the sport plan: Broncos coach Sean Payton talks so much about “sequencing” when discussing how he approaches playcalling, however the Broncos proceed to wrestle to discover a first-half rhythm, particularly in terms of operating the ball. The Broncos had six speeding makes an attempt within the first half and did not commit far more to it till the third quarter. But, when confronted with a third-and-1 within the third quarter, Payton elected to have broad receiver Courtland Sutton try a cross — he was sacked — as an alternative of a short-yardage run. Wil Lutz missed a 59-yard subject aim try on the subsequent play.

Development to observe: The Broncos are on the hunt of a document that has stood since 1984. With six extra sacks Thursday, the Broncos have 46 after 10 video games. The one-season document, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears, is 72. Denver’s 46 sacks after 10 video games are essentially the most because the New Orleans Saints had 44 after 10 video games in 2000. — Jeff Legwold

Subsequent sport: vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Sunday, Nov. 16, 4:25 p.m. ET)

The Raiders’ rookie rising pains had been evident on Thursday. Las Vegas gave first-year broad receivers Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. prolonged enjoying time following Tuesday’s commerce of Jakobi Meyers, and so they didn’t reap the benefits of the second.

Penalties on each gamers negated large performs by Las Vegas. A holding name on Bech took away a 32-yard, first-half carry by rookie operating again Ashton Jeanty. In the meantime, Tre Tucker‘s 31-yard landing catch on fourth down was wiped away attributable to an offensive cross interference name on Thornton.

Jeanty even dropped two passes, with certainly one of them leading to an interception within the third. Las Vegas’ protection put collectively its greatest efficiency of the season, holding the Broncos to 220 yards. Nevertheless, the unit’s efficiency wasn’t sufficient to beat the youthful errors.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Smith’s efficiency wasn’t fairly by any means, however he gave his workforce a preventing probability. He accomplished 16 of 26 passes for 143 yards and an interception. It did not assist that Smith confronted strain all through the sport — he was sacked six instances and pressured on 13 dropbacks. Regardless of enjoying with a quad harm he suffered within the second half, Smith managed to place his workforce able to no less than tie the sport. Nevertheless, the Raiders had been unable to capitalize, with Carlson lacking a game-tying subject aim.

Turning level: The Raiders’ unhealthy luck continued within the third quarter. AJ Cole‘s punt try from deep in Raiders territory was blocked by Broncos security JL Skinner. The ball caromed off Skinner’s face masks, with the Broncos recovering on the Las Vegas 12-yard line. The prime subject place allowed Denver to transform a go-ahead subject aim to take a 10-7 lead.

Stat to know: With one other interception on Monday, Smith’s 12 interceptions are essentially the most by a Raiders quarterback within the first 9 video games of a season since Kerry Collins had 12 by 9 video games in 2004, per ESPN Analysis. — Ryan McFadden

Subsequent sport: vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday, Nov. 17, 8:15 p.m. ET)