The Denver Broncos may have beaten the Las Vegas Raiders, but Sean Payton should be embarrassed by himself and almost everyone on offense, except for the offensive line. For as much as Payton talks about running the ball, he sure hasn’t been calling the plays to run the ball.

Denver's defense bailed out the Broncos in a 10-7 squeaker over the reeling Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, sacking Geno Smith six times to atone for spotty performances on offense and special teams. The Broncos (8-2) own the league's best record, but they didn't look anything like it on a windy night in the Rocky Mountains.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost more ground in their pursuit of a tenth consecutive AFC West division title. This week's 'Thursday Night Football' game featured the division-leading Denver Broncos defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 and improving their record to 8-2.

Bo Nix responds to being booed by Denver Broncos fans originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Last year, the Broncos went 10-7 in coach Sean Payton's second season, reaching the NFL playoffs for the first time since the team won Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 campaign. Payton will now attempt to get his squad back to the playoffs -- and he has aspirations to go much further than the Wild Card round this time.

After standing pat at the NFL trade deadline, the Denver Broncos currently hold seven picks for the 2026 NFL draft. Denver holds all but one of its original selections, and the team gained a fourth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for wide receiver Devaughn Vele earlier this year.

Veteran wideout Courtland Sutton leads the Broncos with 38 catches for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Troy Franklin, a 2024 fourth-round pick from Oregon, has broken out with 37 receptions for 385 yards and four scores.