Can the Denver Broncos really go all the way? Their nail-biting 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders proves one thing: they know how to win ugly. And in the NFL, sometimes that’s all that matters. They clutched tightly, almost desperately, to secure their seventh consecutive win and solidify their position at the top of the AFC West with an impressive 8-2 record, the best currently in the entire league.
This wasn’t a game for the highlight reel, though. It was a gritty, hard-fought battle at Mile High Stadium, characterized by more penalties than first downs for the Broncos. The scoring was scarce, with a mere three points eked out in the entire second half. But those three points, courtesy of Wil Lutz’s crucial 32-yard field goal, were enough to seal the deal. Think of it like a chess match where every pawn move is critical.
But here’s where it gets controversial… While a win is a win, Broncos coach Sean Payton isn’t resting on his laurels. He openly acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing the importance of cleaning up penalties and refining execution. “We’ve got to clean up some of the penalties. We’ve got to clean up the execution and that is an ongoing thing that probably never ends,” he stated, referencing the elusive pursuit of perfection he calls “Shangri-La.” Is he being too critical of a team sitting pretty at 8-2, or is this the kind of unrelenting drive that separates contenders from pretenders? What do you think?
And this is the part most people miss… The Broncos’ defense deserves serious credit. They absolutely suffocated Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, sacking him a punishing six times. Even more impressively, they prevented the Raiders from achieving a first down on seven consecutive drives! That kind of defensive dominance can win championships. The Raiders, on the other hand, are left licking their wounds, their record plummeting to a dismal 2-7 after a missed field goal on their final drive would have tied the game. It’s a tough pill to swallow when a few inches can make all the difference.
The scoring saw Ashton Jeanty put the Raiders ahead with a four-yard touchdown run, only for Troy Franklin to respond with an 11-yard touchdown reception, leveling the score before Lutz’s game-winning kick. A classic case of back-and-forth momentum, ultimately decided by special teams.
So, the Broncos continue their improbable surge. But can they maintain this level of play? Can they clean up the penalties and improve their execution as Coach Payton demands? And perhaps the most important question: Is their success sustainable, or are they just enjoying a lucky streak? What do you believe is the Broncos’ ceiling this season? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!