Broncos Secure Eighth Win but Offense Struggles in Victory

The Denver Broncos achieved their eighth victory of the season with a narrow 10-7 win against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 23, 2023, at Empower Field at Mile High. This win marks the Broncos as the first team in the league to reach eight wins this season, primarily due to a formidable defensive performance. Despite the victory, players on the offensive side expressed significant concerns about their lack of productivity.

Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins articulated the frustration felt by many teammates, acknowledging that the offense is making life difficult for the team. “Yeah, cool, we’re 8-2 … [but] the defense is winning us the games and we’re not helping them,” Dobbins stated. He emphasized the importance of supporting their defensive peers, who have been performing admirably throughout the season.

Quarterback Bo Nix echoed Dobbins’ sentiments, highlighting the need for improvement. “At some point we’ve got to start moving the ball and scoring some points,” he said, noting that penalties and a lack of rhythm have hampered their performance. “It starts with me. I’ve got to be better. … We’ve got to find some juice.”

Defensive Dominance Amid Offensive Struggles

The Broncos’ defense played a crucial role in the victory, allowing one or no touchdowns for the fourth time this season and achieving six sacks, boosting their league-leading total to 46. This is the highest number of sacks recorded by the Broncos after ten games since 1990. The Raiders struggled offensively, failing to gain a first down on seven consecutive possessions and finishing with just 188 total yards.

Despite the defensive prowess, the Broncos’ offense struggled to find its footing, finishing the game with only 220 yards and punting seven times. This performance is part of a concerning trend, as the Broncos have scored 18 or fewer points in three of their last five games. The team has also trailed in all but one game this season, the exception being their Week 5 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Broncos’ offensive challenges were evident in their inability to score in the first quarter for the fourth time this year. They recorded four possessions that resulted in negative yardage, with three occurring in the third quarter. The frustrations of the fans were palpable, leading to boos as the offense exited the field before a punt. Dobbins acknowledged the fans’ displeasure, stating, “I mean, they should [boo], they should. We’re not very good at times. They should be mad because we have so much talent. We’ve got to figure it out … and we will.”

Penalties and Missed Opportunities

In their latest game, the Broncos tallied eleven penalties for a total of 78 yards, with eight of those penalties coming from the offense. This marks the fourth game this season where the team has recorded ten or more penalties. Currently, the Broncos rank as the second-most penalized offense in the league, with 52 penalties in ten games, just behind the Jacksonville Jaguars who have 53 in eight games.

Head Coach Sean Payton acknowledged the impact of penalties on the team’s performance. “The Raiders did some things that were challenging [on defense] … but too many penalties on offense put us in a hole, and I’ve got to be better also,” he said. Nix reinforced this point, adding, “We got to do better. At some point, 10 points isn’t going to be enough.”

The game-winning field goal was set up by a blocked punt from safety JL Skinner, which gave the Broncos possession at the Raiders’ 12-yard line with just over a minute left in the third quarter. Despite losing yardage on the subsequent plays, kicker Wil Lutz successfully converted a 32-yard field goal that ultimately secured the win.

Despite their offensive struggles, the defensive players remain confident and supportive of their teammates. Linebacker Alex Singleton expressed a team mentality of resilience, stating, “Whatever we need to do, we do. Just continuing to give [the offense] the ball, give them every opportunity.” Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who contributed with 1.5 sacks in the game, added, “We don’t look at what the offense does. Our job is to go out there and get stops.”

As the Broncos continue their season, the focus will be on improving offensive performance while maintaining their defensive excellence. With their current seven-game winning streak, the team is positioned to make a significant impact in the league, reminiscent of their remarkable start in the 2015 season when they ultimately secured Super Bowl 50.