Broncos edge Raiders 10-7 in defensive slugfest on Thursday Night Football

The Denver Broncos survived a gritty, grinding battle on Thursday Night Football, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on November 6, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t high-scoring. But in a season where every win matters, it was enough. The game, played in crisp autumn air under the lights, featured just 378 total yards between both teams — the lowest combined output in the NFL this week. And it was the kind of win that makes coaches sleep easy and fans hold their breath until the final whistle.

Defensive Stand Still Wins Games

The turning point came in the third quarter when JL Skinner, Denver’s hard-hitting safety, burst through the line and blocked a punt by Raiders punter Jayden Daniels. The ball bounced into the arms of Broncos linebacker Isaiah Wynn at the Las Vegas 18-yard line. That single play shifted momentum — and field position — in a game where every yard was carved out like stone. Four plays later, Will Lutz nailed a 32-yard field goal to give Denver a 10-7 lead. No touchdowns. No fireworks. Just execution under pressure.

For the Raiders, offense was a series of near-misses. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, starting in place of the injured Derek Carr, managed just 146 passing yards and was sacked three times. His lone touchdown drive — a 12-play, 58-yard march in the second quarter — ended with a 23-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson. The offense never found rhythm. Third downs were a nightmare: 2-for-12 on the night. One critical sequence at the 8:12 mark of the fourth quarter saw Las Vegas face 2nd and 8 at their own 25. Tight end Harvey threaded a slant, but was stopped just shy of the first-down marker by Broncos safety Darien Porter. The punt that followed pinned Denver at their 3-yard line.

Penalties, Near Misses, and the Cost of Mistakes

The Raiders’ downfall wasn’t just poor execution — it was self-inflicted wounds. A 15-yard penalty on receiving team #23 (later confirmed as wide receiver Darius Harris) for illegal block in the back forced Las Vegas to start a key drive from their own 7-yard line. That drive ended in a three-and-out. Another penalty on a punt return — a player going out of bounds illegally — cost them 10 yards and killed a potential momentum swing.

Meanwhile, Denver’s offense was methodical, not explosive. Quarterback Bo Nicks completed just 14 of 26 passes but avoided turnovers. His best drive came late in the third quarter, when he rolled right, got tripped from behind by Raiders linebacker Bonito, but managed to stay on his feet long enough to complete a 14-yard pass to Sutton. Roach, the Broncos’ veteran fullback, helped Nicks up after the play — a small moment, but symbolic of the team’s gritty cohesion.

And then there was the 59-yard field goal attempt by Lutz — a kick that, if made, would have been the longest of his career. At 5:31 PM local time, with 3:12 left in the third quarter, he lined up. The snap. The hold. The kick. It was ‘NO GOOD, JUST SHORT,’ as the broadcast audio captured. The ball fell five yards short of the crossbar. Fans groaned. But the defense held. And that’s what mattered.

Why This Win Matters More Than the Score

The Broncos entered Week 10 at 5-4, clinging to a half-game lead in the AFC West. This win pushed them to 6-4, keeping them tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for first place. For the Raiders, at 4-5, the loss dropped them into a three-way tie for third in the division — a game behind the Broncos and a full two games out of playoff position.

Coach Sean Payton, typically reserved, said after the game: “We didn’t play perfect. We didn’t play pretty. But we played tough. That’s what this league rewards.” His counterpart, Antonio Pierce, was more blunt: “We had chances. We had opportunities. We just didn’t finish. That’s on us.”

It’s worth noting: this was the first time since 2018 that the Broncos won a game without scoring a touchdown. The last time? A 16-13 win over the Chargers in Week 13 — also decided by field goals. History doesn’t repeat often, but patterns do.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Denver heads into Week 11 with a home game against the Indianapolis Colts — a matchup that could solidify their division lead. The Raiders, meanwhile, face a brutal stretch: road games against the Chargers, Bills, and Chiefs over the next three weeks. With only five games left, time is running out. Their playoff hopes now hinge on winning four of five — and hoping the Broncos slip.

For now, the Broncos can savor this. Not because it was beautiful. But because it was real. In the NFL, that’s often enough.