Bo Nix sets Broncos rookie TD record as Denver beats reeling Raiders 29-19

LAS VEGAS — The music could clearly be heard outside the doors to the Broncos' locker room, the players inside truly enjoying finally getting to experience a victory in Las Vegas.

Bo Nix passed for 273 yards and had two touchdown passes to break the team's rookie record Sunday, and Denver beat the reeling Raiders 29-19.

The Broncos (7-5) took another step toward an unexpected playoff spot with their second victory in a row.

''A year ago, we don't win that game,'' Broncos coach Sean Payton said. ''It wasn't our best, but it was good enough. We're on to the next one, so we have a lot to clean up, but it was good to handle these guys for a second time.''

The Broncos won the first meeting 34-18 in Denver on Oct. 6 to end an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders.

Las Vegas (2-9) has lost seven consecutive games, its longest skid since the 2017-18 seasons.

''I never doubt the mindset of everybody in that locker room,'' Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said. ''Everybody shows up every day with the mindset to get better, so that's all you can ask for.''

Those plays helped erase a 13-9 halftime deficit. The Broncos outscored Las Vegas 20-6 in the second half after adjusting to the Raiders' willingness to repeatedly bring more pressure than anticipated.

''We had to shift that mindset,'' Nix said. ''We went into the game expecting (some). We had some calls for it, so now we had to get to those and adjust to them. I thought we did a good job handling the pressure, getting some more 1-on-1s.''

Denver lost its previous four games at Allegiant Stadium. This also was the Broncos' first road win in this series since defeating the then-Oakland Raiders on Oct. 11, 2015.

''I think the tide is turning,'' Sutton said. ''The Broncos are in a spot where we want to be back in the AFC West, and I think that's a really exciting spot to be in. Job's not finished.''

Sutton caught eight passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns to extend his streak of 70-yard games to five. That's the longest streak by a Broncos player since Demaryius Thomas' eight straight in 2014.

Minshew completed 25 of 42 passes for 230 yards, with a touchdown and interception. The best passing play, however, came on a fake punt when AJ Cole completed a 34-yard pass to linebacker Divine Deablo to set up a second-quarter field goal.

That was one of four field goals by Daniel Carlson, whose duel with Broncos counterpart Will Lutz kept Las Vegas in the game. They combined to make all nine of their attempts, including three from more than 50 yards.

Jakobi Meyers caught 10 passes for 121 yards. That's his best game since 2020, when Meyers played for the New England Patriots and caught 12 passes for 169 yards against the New York Jets.

Crosby recorded his 100th tackle for loss in the second quarter, becoming the fourth player to reach that number since at least 1999 in his first six seasons. The others were J.J. Watt, Aaron Donald and DeMarcus Ware.

The Raiders are a shell of themselves. They played this game without their top two running backs as well as two starters at cornerback, two on the defensive line and one at safety.

Raiders special teams coordinator Tom McMahon did not coach, but no reason was provided. Derius Swinton II handled those duties.

Injuries

Broncos: CB Riley Moss (knee) left the game late in the first half. DE Zach Allen (heel) didn't play.

Raiders: RBs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps) and CBs Nate Hobbs (ankle) and Jakorian Bennett (shoulder) did not play.

Up next

Raiders: At Kansas City on Friday afternoon.

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