The Denver Broncos didn’t punch their playoff ticket just yet, but they took a major step toward postseason positioning with a hard-fought 24-17 win over the Raiders in Las Vegas. And while the standings still show a tie at the top of the AFC, the Broncos now hold a crucial tiebreaker over the Patriots - a detail that could loom large down the stretch.
Here’s why it matters: both Denver and New England sit at 11-2. But thanks to the Broncos’ season sweep of the Raiders - and the Patriots’ early-season stumble against Pete Carroll’s 2-11 squad - Denver would own the No. 1 seed if the two teams finish tied. That’s the kind of edge that could be the difference between playing in January snow at home versus traveling into hostile territory.
Sunday’s win wasn’t flashy, but it was methodical - the kind of victory that speaks to a team finding its identity at the right time. Denver didn’t just beat the Raiders; they wore them down.
The Broncos dominated time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes. Their three scoring drives alone chewed up more than 28 minutes of game clock.
That’s not just ball control - that’s control of the entire tempo.
Bo Nix continues to look more comfortable with each passing week. The rookie quarterback opened the game with a 14-play drive that he capped himself with an eight-yard touchdown run.
He finished the day 31-of-38 for 212 yards, distributing the ball to 11 different receivers. That kind of efficiency and poise is exactly what the Broncos were hoping for when they handed him the reins.
Rookie running back RJ Harvey added another layer to the offense, rushing 16 times for 75 yards and punching in a three-yard touchdown in the third quarter. His physical running style helped Denver stay ahead of the chains and keep the Raiders’ defense on the field - and on their heels.
The Broncos’ longest drive of the day came in the fourth quarter - a marathon 19-play possession that ended with a Wil Lutz field goal. It didn’t end in the end zone, but it did something just as important: it drained the clock and left the Raiders with little margin for error.
Special teams also came through in a big way. Marvin Mims Jr. electrified the second quarter with a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown, providing a momentum swing that helped Denver seize control.
As for the Raiders, they showed flashes early but couldn’t sustain drives. After answering Nix’s opening touchdown with a scoring drive of their own to close out the first quarter, they managed just two first downs over their next four possessions. That lull proved costly.
Things got even tougher when quarterback Geno Smith exited the game before the fourth quarter with injuries to his right hand and shoulder. Kenny Pickett came on in relief and delivered a touchdown pass to Shedrick Jackson - a special moment for the rookie wideout, who scored on his very first NFL touch. Jackson, notably, is the great-nephew of Raiders legend Bo Jackson.
With Smith’s status uncertain, Pickett could be in line to start next week against Philadelphia - one of his former teams. But for now, the Raiders are left searching for answers while the Broncos march forward with momentum and a playoff path that’s starting to take shape.
Next up for Denver: a home date with the Packers in Week 15. If they keep playing with this kind of discipline and balance, the Broncos won’t just be a playoff team - they’ll be a problem.