Broncos Blaze to 10 Straight and Take the AFC By Storm
December 8, 2025
The Denver Broncos are undeniably the hottest team in the NFL, having won 10 straight football games dating back to late September. Win ‘em close, win ‘em big; a win is a win no matter what shape or size. This one turned out to be a pretty significant one as it pertains to the AFC playoff picture.
Their latest win comes at the expense of their AFC West foe, the Las Vegas Raiders. The Broncos have beaten the Raiders twice during this win streak; once on a Thursday night snoozer, and yesterday Despite the “close” 24-17 final score, the Broncos dominated this game throughout, never trailing, the first time they have done so in any game this season. The most remarkable part of this win for Denver was how they scored; the Broncos had three drives which took nine minutes or more, and each drive was 80+ yards (81, 91, 90 yards, respectively). Those are drives you see playoff teams make. Long, sustained drives are the hallmark of winners; finishing drives with points was the goal, and the Broncos did so with a tough rushing attack and a pinpoint passing attack.
Denver is now in complete control of their fate when it comes to winning the AFC West; their only competition is the Los Angeles Chargers, who are two games back in the race. The Chargers play the Eagles on Monday Night Football, another big game when it comes to AFC and NFC playoff implications.
The Raiders looked like the 2-11 team they are. Geno Smith spent most of the day trying to avoid the Bronco pass rush, eventually exiting late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury, which may impact the rest of his season. Backup and journeyman quarterback Kenny Pickett came in relief, and came up with 10 Raider points. The Broncos defense held the Raiders in check with the singular exception of the first drive, which turned out to be the Brock Bowers show; the Raiders now are 0-8 in games where Bowers scores a touchdown.
Now, let’s get into the playoff goods. Cue Jim Mora’s iconic “Playoffs?!” rant. Denver and the New England Patriots are now tied record-wise at the top of the AFC, with identical 11-2 records. In Week 1, the Patriots lost to the Las Vegas Raiders. Denver swept the Raiders, and all other common opponents, which gives them the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Patriots. If the season ended today, Denver would have a first-round bye, and home field advantage through the playoffs. If Denver and New England are tied at the top of the conference playoff picture, Denver would also have the advantage.
Brandon, Author
Brandon spends his days managing a plumbing warehouse and his nights obsessing over the Broncos — and somehow still finds time to write for Broncos Wire. A diehard fan with orange and blue running through his veins, he’s currently training his toddler to boo the Chiefs on sight. Insightful, loyal, and just petty enough to be entertaining, Brandon brings the fandom fire every week.
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