Broncos defeat Raiders 24-17, Denver wins 10th straight

The Denver Broncos (11-2) cruised to their 10th straight win Sunday, controlling the game from start to finish in a 24-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11). For the first time this season, Denver never trailed, and the final minutes were far less stressful than their usual nail-biters.

Bo Nix led the charge, completing 31 of 38 passes for 212 yards and rushing for a touchdown, while Devin RJ Harvey added a 3-yard scoring run to extend Denver’s advantage. Marvin Mims Jr. also returned a punt 48 yards for a touchdown, helping the Broncos dominate time of possession (39:03) and rack up 356 yards with 27 first downs.

The Raiders were hampered by an injury to quarterback Geno Smith, who left in the third quarter with a right hand cut and a shoulder that “really locked up,” according to coach Pete Carroll. Backup Kenny Pickett threw for 96 yards and a touchdown but couldn’t overcome Denver’s control.

The Broncos’ defense remained stout, with Nik Bonitto recording two sacks to push his season total to 12½, making him the first Denver player with double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons since Von Miller (2014-18). Maxx Crosby had two tackles for loss, breaking his own Raiders single-season record with 25.

The game opened with quick strikes from both teams. Nix capped an 8:54, 81-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, and the Raiders answered with a 15-yard pass from Smith to Brock Bowers. That was the first opening-series touchdown Denver allowed this season and the Raiders’ first opening-drive score since their first game in New England.

Denver pulled away in the second half, with Harvey’s 3-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter giving the Broncos a seemingly secure two-touchdown lead. The Raiders made the score look closer with a Daniel Carlson 46-yard field goal as time expired, after a costly delay-of-game penalty on Denver’s Brandon Jones.

Injuries

Broncos: DT D.J. Jones (ankle) and TE Nate Adkins (knee) were out.

Raiders: CB Kyu Blu Kelly (knee), TE Ian Thomas (calf), TE Michael Mayer (ankle), WR Alex Bachman (thumb), and WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. (concussion) were sidelined.

With the win, Denver (11-2) ties New England for the top seed in the AFC and appears poised to end Kansas City’s nine-year reign in the AFC West. The Raiders (2-11) lost their seventh straight and 11th of 12 games, including 11 consecutive divisional losses.

Up Next:

Broncos: Host Green Bay next Sunday.

Raiders: Visit Philadelphia next Sunday.