DENVER — The Broncos got it done.
In a "Thursday Night Football" slugfest, the Broncos held the Raiders scoreless over the final 48 minutes of game time and notched 10 unanswered points to earn a 10-7 win.
Denver's defense sacked Geno Smith six times and recorded an interception and turnover on downs, and the Broncos' special teams unit added a blocked punt to set up the go-ahead field goal.
The Broncos' lone touchdown drive came before halftime, as Bo Nix threaded a pass in to Troy Franklin for the score.
With the win, the Broncos earned their first prime-time victory over a divisional foe since 2017. They improved to 8-2 with the win, ensuring they'll end Week 10 with the AFC West lead.
Denver has now won three consecutive games over the Raiders and evened its 2025 division record at 1-1.
These were the players and plays that made the difference in the Broncos' Week 10 win over the Raiders.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
There's an argument to be made here for a pair of first-half fourth-down plays. On fourth-and-2 from the Denver 31, the Raiders appeared to push their lead to 14-0 on a 31-yard pass from Geno Smith to Tre Tucker. Rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. was whistled for offensive pass interference, though, which wiped the touchdown off the board and forced a Las Vegas punt. On the next drive, the Raiders attempted a fourth-and-5 from the Denver 38, and Talanoa Hufanga crashed off the edge to sack Smith and force a turnover on downs. The Broncos scored to tie the game on the ensuing drive.
Those stops kept Denver in the game, but it isn't what ultimately gave the Broncos the lead. That nod goes to JL Skinner's punt block, which was Denver's first blocked punt since 2018. The special teams play set up Denver's go-ahead field goal, and the Broncos did enough the rest of the way to pull out a win.
DEFINING STATISTIC
11.
The Denver defense did it again. The stellar unit held the Raiders without points on 11 consecutive possessions to end the game, allowing just one touchdown on the day. That score, it's worth noting, came after the Raiders started with a short field. During one stretch, the Broncos did not allow the Raiders to record a first down on seven consecutive possessions. Denver sacked Geno Smith six times — including five in the first half — and held the Raiders to fewer than 200 total yards. A week after shutting down the Texans' offense, the Broncos did it again against a division rival.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
Outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman grabbed the team lead in interceptions as he picked off Geno Smith and rumbled for a 23-yard return in the third quarter. Smith's pass went off the hands of Ashton Jeanty, and Tillman pulled the ball in. Inside linebacker Alex Singleton delivered a punishing block on the return, as well.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
Dondrea Tillman added his second interception, which leads the Broncos in 2025.
JL Skinner made a huge special teams play, earning a blocked punt that set up Denver's go-ahead field goal.
Nik Bonitto led the Broncos with 1.5 sacks, but seven Denver defenders earned at least half a sack.
JK Dobbins finished with 77 yards, including a critical 25 yards on the game's final drive.
