BREAKING: Broncos outlast Raiders 24-17, seize AFC’s top spot with 10th straight win
The hottest team in football keeps burning. Denver went into Las Vegas and beat the Raiders 24-17 on Sunday night, pushing the Broncos to 11-2 and extending a streak that now spans two and a half months. It was businesslike, it was chippy at the end, and it was the kind of road win that announces playoff intent.
Denver has won 10 straight and holds the AFC’s top seed on tiebreakers.
How Denver did it
Bo Nix played the position like a veteran. He completed 31 of 38 throws for 212 yards, took what the defense allowed, and finished drives. He added a rugged red zone rushing touchdown, lowering his shoulder at the goal line. The rookie never blinked on third down.
Denver’s spark came from special teams. Marvin Mims Jr. darted through a crease for a 48-yard punt return score, flipping momentum and silencing the stadium. One cut, a burst, and he was gone. That play captured the team’s edge and speed. 🏈
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The run game did its job. Rookie back RJ Harvey pounded out 75 yards and a touchdown, helping Denver control the clock. Sean Payton mixed tempos, leaned on quick throws, and trusted his defense to finish.
Las Vegas fought, even while the offense sputtered early. Linebacker Devin White piled up 19 tackles, flying sideline to sideline. Maxx Crosby set a new team record for tackles for loss in a season, a nod to his relentless motor. But the Raiders could not string together sustained drives until late.
The ending that will be debated
This finish will live on in arguments. With seconds left, officials flagged Denver’s defense for delay of game. The penalty gave Las Vegas one more snap. The Raiders kicked a field goal on that extra play, turning a 10-point margin into a seven-point final.
That single decision changed the scoreline and swung betting outcomes across the country. Before the flag, under bettors were in position. After the kick, the total crept over. Denver backers who held tickets at 8.5 were suddenly out. Coaches and players will say you play to the whistle. Bettors know one whistle can change everything.
The late delay of game call created an extra snap and altered the final margin and total.
What it means for the AFC
This is not just a streak. It is a blueprint. Denver now holds the AFC’s top seed on tiebreakers, and the rest of the conference has to come through their lane. Home field at altitude would matter in January. Mile High turns fourth quarters into survival tests.
Nix’s command is the headline, but the culture is the backbone. Denver looks detailed, tough, and steady in tight moments. The remaining schedule brings the Packers, the Jaguars, and a Christmas night trip to Kansas City. Win two of three, and the road to the Super Bowl likely runs through Denver.
- Three reasons Denver looks built for January:
- Elite situational football on third down and red zone
- Game-changing special teams with Mims
- A defense that wins the middle eight minutes around halftime
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Raiders at a crossroads
The Raiders fell to 2-11 with their seventh straight loss, and the injuries are piling up. Starting quarterback Geno Smith exited in the third quarter with right shoulder and hand injuries. Kenny Pickett came on and delivered a late touchdown to Shedrick Jackson, a bright spot in a rough stretch, but it was not enough.
Las Vegas has talent on defense and pride in the building. White played like a captain on a mission. Crosby remains the heartbeat. The problem is the offensive identity keeps shifting, and the team has been playing from behind for weeks.
Geno Smith will be evaluated further after leaving with shoulder and hand injuries. The team will update his status after testing.
This rivalry has swung in long runs before. For now, Denver has seized control, with a season sweep and a night that could echo into January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score of Broncos vs Raiders?
A: Denver beat Las Vegas 24-17 on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
Q: How did Bo Nix play?
A: Nix went 31 of 38 for 212 yards, added a rushing touchdown, and ran the offense with poise.
Q: Why was the ending controversial?
A: A late defensive delay of game on Denver gave the Raiders an extra snap, which they used for a field goal that changed the final margin and total.
Q: Where do the Broncos stand in the playoff race?
A: At 11-2, Denver holds the AFC’s top seed on tiebreakers and controls its path to home field.
Q: What happened to Raiders QB Geno Smith?
A: He left in the third quarter with shoulder and hand injuries. Kenny Pickett finished the game and threw a touchdown.
Conclusion
Ten straight wins say plenty. Denver is not sneaking up on anyone, it is setting the pace. The Broncos left Las Vegas with a season sweep, the AFC’s top spot, and a reminder that they can win in multiple ways. The Raiders left with more questions and a quarterback to monitor. January is coming fast, and this game reshaped the road to get there.
