Wil Lutz kicked a short field goal late in the third quarter and the Denver defense protected the lead as the Broncos squeezed out a 10-7 victory over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders to extend their winning streak to seven consecutive games.
JL Skinner’s blocked punt set up the tiebreaking field goal and Denver (8-2) racked up six sacks while beating their AFC West rivals. Bo Nix tossed a touchdown pass to Troy Franklin as the Broncos became the NFL’s first eight-win team this season.
Nik Bonitto had 1.5 sacks and Dondrea Tillman had an interception for the Broncos, who outgained the Raiders 220-188. Nix completed 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions and JK Dobbins rushed for 77 yards on 18 carries.
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith completed 16 of 26 passes for 143 yards and one interception and was hindered in the fourth quarter by a quadriceps injury.
Ashton Jeanty rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and Kyu Blu Kelly had his first career interceptions for the Raiders (2-7). Las Vegas has dropped seven of its past eight games.
Skinner’s block came without his hands even touching the ball. AJ Cole’s punt hit Skinner in the facemask and the ball rolled toward the sideline and was recovered by teammate Tyler Badie at the Raiders’ 12 yard line with 1:29 left in the third quarter.
Denver was unable to take advantage of the short field and Lutz kicked a 32-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 10-7 advantage with five seconds left in the quarter.
Kelly nabbed his second pick of the game when Nix’s throw bounced off the hands of Franklin and directly to him at the Denver 45 with 7:10 to play.
Smith was heavily limping during the drive and the first four plays were Jeanty runs. Then the Broncos forced Smith out of the pocket for a third-down throwaway. But Daniel Carlson’s ensuing 48-yard field goal was wide right to keep the Raiders behind by three.
The score was tied at 7 at halftime as both teams struggled to move the ball. The Broncos had 116 yards and the Raiders gained 112.
Las Vegas got on the board on Jeanty’s 4-yard run with 3:02 left in the first quarter.
Denver went three-and-out on each of its first four possessions before finally putting together a five-play, 53-yard touchdown drive. Nix teamed with Pat Bryant on a 43-yard play to the Raiders’ 5, and two plays later, Nix tossed a 7-yard scoring pass to Franklin.
