A Defensive Slugfest in the Mile High City
Thursday night’s matchup between the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders was anything but pretty. On a cold, windy night at Empower Field, both teams struggled to find rhythm on offense, turning the game into a defensive grind that few will remember fondly.
Denver managed to escape with a victory, relying on its defense to secure a 10 to 7 win. The Broncos improved to 8 and 2, but the home crowd had little to cheer about as the offense repeatedly stalled and drew boos throughout the night.
First Half: Wind, Sacks, and Sloppy Offense
While conditions appeared calm on the broadcast, strong winds made life difficult for both teams. Broncos punter Jeremy Crawshaw mishit a kick that barely left his foot, setting the tone for a messy night.
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith spent much of the first half under pressure, taking five sacks before halftime and six in total. Denver’s defensive front, led by Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto, was relentless. On the other side, rookie quarterback Bo Nix also struggled, missing several open receivers as Denver managed only 24 rushing yards before the break.
After Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty opened the scoring in the first quarter, Denver finally answered with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Troy Franklin. That tied the game at 7 to 7, and neither team would score another touchdown.
Second Half: Defense Wins Ugly
The second half offered little improvement. Denver tried a trick play with receiver Courtland Sutton throwing the ball, but the play ended in a sack. Moments later, kicker Wil Lutz missed short on a 59-yard field goal attempt, drawing more frustration from the fans.
Fortunately, Denver’s defense continued to deliver. Linebacker Dondrea Tillman intercepted a deflected pass, giving the Broncos another chance, but the offense again went three and out. Meanwhile, the Raiders went seven straight drives without recording a first down, the longest streak in the league this season.
Smith briefly left the game with a leg injury early in the fourth quarter but returned. After Kyu Blu Kelly intercepted Nix and set the Raiders up in good field position, Las Vegas had a chance to tie the game. Daniel Carlson’s field goal attempt sailed wide right, ending any hope of a comeback.
Final Takeaway
Only three points were scored in the second half, yet it was enough for Denver to pull out a win. The Broncos’ defense dominated, the Raiders’ offense faltered, and the fans endured another forgettable Thursday night. A win counts all the same, even when it comes in ugly fashion.
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