Raiders Ride Ground Game Past Broncos, 30–23, as Jeanty Breaks Loose in Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Raiders entered Week 14 at 4-8 looking for a spark, and they found it behind a punishing rushing attack and two momentum-swinging touchdown runs from Ashton Jeanty. Las Vegas built its lead with quick strikes and timely answers, then held off a late Denver push to secure a 30-23 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.

Afterward, Raiders head coach Max Farias credited the team's edge at the line of scrimmage. "We played fast and physical - that's the standard," Farias said. "When we run the ball like that and protect the football, it changes the whole game."

Broncos head coach Sean Payton pointed to missed opportunities that kept Denver chasing. "We had chances to flip it," Payton said. "But against a team that's running it that efficiently, you can't trade clean possessions for empty ones."

Fast start, faster answers

Las Vegas struck first in the opening quarter when Jalen Milroe kept the ball and sliced through the second level for a 21-yard touchdown run with five seconds left in the period. The Raiders didn't get the extra point, but the tone was set: Vegas planned to play downhill.

Denver responded in the second quarter with a quick-hit scoring drive capped by Bo Nix finding J.K. Dobbins for a 21-yard touchdown. "Bo put it right on me," Dobbins said. "We needed that answer - we just needed more of them."

The back-and-forth continued as the Raiders reclaimed control with a Raheem Mostert 14-yard rushing touchdown, then Denver countered with a Wil Lutz field goal to keep it within one score. Las Vegas closed the half with another key scoring sequence, getting points on the board right before intermission to take a 16-10 lead.

Jeanty's 80-yard burst tilts the game

The third quarter turned into a heavyweight exchange. Denver opened the half with another Lutz field goal, trimming the deficit. But the Raiders immediately landed the biggest blow of the night: Jeanty burst through a crease, hit the gas, and ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run that electrified the stadium.

"That's the look we wanted," Jeanty said. "Once I got to the second level, it was just, 'Don't get caught.'"

Denver didn't fold. The Broncos answered with a physical touchdown drive of their own, punctuated by Dobbins powering in from seven yards out to keep the game within reach. Still, the Raiders carried a 23-20 edge into the fourth - and Farias said that was exactly where he wanted it.

"In that spot, you stay calm," Farias said. "You don't chase, you don't panic. You go win your rep and let the game come to you."

Closing time in the fourth

Early in the fourth quarter, Las Vegas went right back to Jeanty. The Raiders finished a drive with Jeanty punching in a 6-yard rushing score, stretching the lead to two possessions and forcing Denver into urgency mode.

Payton said the Broncos' margin for error vanished. "At that point, you're trying to be perfect," he said. "And they did a good job making it hard to be perfect."

Denver managed to tack on another Lutz field goal to pull within seven, but the Raiders' offense and situational execution did enough the rest of the way - leaning on the run game, burning clock, and keeping Denver from getting the ball back with a clean chance to tie.

"We didn't make it pretty," Milroe said, "but we finished. That's what matters."

Up Next

Denver returns home for Week 15 to host the Green Bay Packers, while Las Vegas hits the road in Week 15 to face the Philadelphia Eagles.