The Denver Broncos offense continues to be a painful watch, unable to move the ball for long stretches, usually needing heroic fourth-quarter comebacks and superhuman efforts from the defense.
Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sean Payton's offense was a slug. They generated 220 total yards, 10 first downs, turned the ball over twice, and went three-and-out seven times. They pulled off a 10-7 victory over the 2-7 Raiders, but Bo Nix & Co. know it's not good enough.
"We have to do better. At some point, 10 points isn't going to be enough. We have to score more," the quarterback said following the loss, via the team's official transcript. "Between penalties and just some sluggish football, we're just not playing very well. It starts with me. I have to be better. Then the rest of the guys will follow along. We have to find some juice somewhere."
It was apropos that Thursday's game-winning field goal came on a drive in which the Broncos got the ball at the 12-yard line following a blocked punt, but moved backward 2 yards in three plays before Wil Lutz entered for the chip-shot FG.
The Broncos became the third team since 2000 to win a game despite scoring 10 or fewer points, having 10 or fewer first downs and two-plus turnovers, per NFL Research Teams were 2-202 since 2000 in such performances entering Thursday. Other wins: Detroit in Week 9, 2002, versus Dallas (9-7), Miami in Week 14, 2010 at New York Jets (10-6).
Thankfully, the Broncos boast a defense that can smother opponents, allowing the offense time to figure things out. Denver won seven games in a row for the first time since 2015, moving to 8-2.
"I think you have to stay level-headed," Nix said. "You have to understand that it is the NFL. Seven wins in a row are hard to come by. So you're doing something right, but at the same time, you're also doing something wrong because there's plenty left on the table, I think."
Nix generated 150 passing yards and two interceptions with one touchdown pass. The offense's pitiful play caused the home crowd in the Mile High City to rain down boos. Nix brushed them aside after coming out with the victory.
"I've been booed before and I'll be booed again," he said
The Broncos were fortunate that the Raiders were just as bad offensively on Thursday.
Denver and Vegas each had 10 first downs and 11 penalties. According to Bill Smith of NFL Research, it's only the second time since 1950 that both teams had more penalties than first downs in a contest. The other time was when two 0-5 expansion teams, Seattle and Tampa Bay, in 1976. That day, the Seahawks bested the Bucs with Jim Zorn (167 yards) and Steve Spurrier (170 yards) each throwing for more yards than either Nix or Geno Smith (143) did Thursday night
Running back J.K. Dobbins spoke for much of the offense, saying they need to hold up their end of the bargain.
"Yeah, cool, we're 8-2 ... [but] the defense is winning us the games, and we're not helping them. We're not doing them any justice," Dobbins said. "I feel bad the way we play on offense and the way they play on defense because they're doing so great and we're doing so bad. They're our brothers, too, and it just sucks because they're just out there so many plays, playing their butts off. We can't keep doing this to them."
The Broncos are the first team to 8 wins in the NFL, and sit with a two-win lead over the Chargers and three ahead of the Chiefs in the AFC West. But unless the offense finds some life, Denver won't scare any of their rivals down the stretch.
