The Denver Broncos improved to 11-2 with a 24-17 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) on Sunday afternoon, a victory that moved them into first place in the AFC’s playoff race.Denver took an early lead and never looked back. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Broncos marched right down the field on a 14-play, 81-yard drive that ended with an eight-yard Bo Nix touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. That drive took 8:54 off the clock..@BoNix10 runs it in 🔥📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/bNygiIZnrD— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 7, 2025Las Vegas matched that score with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with quarterback Geno Smith’s 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brock Bowers. On their ensuing drive, Denver initially lined up for a 58-yard field goal attempt before taking a delay of game penalty and then punting.After being pinned down at their own five-yard line, the Raiders were later forced to punt and Broncos receiver Marvin Mims returned the kick 48 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-7:HOW ‘BOUT IT!#ProBowlVote + @marvindmimspic.twitter.com/H1tb5rJRQm— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 7, 2025Later in the second quarter, the Broncos went for it on 4th-and-1 at the 43-yard line with 25 seconds remaining until halftime. Nix connected with wide receiver Troy Franklin on a short pass that was initially ruled a successful fourth-down conversion, but the ball was re-spotted after review and Franklin was ruled short of the line to gain. The Raiders later turned the ball over on downs themselves and Denver took a 14-7 lead into halftime after a failed Hail Mary attempt just before the break. In the third quarter, the Broncos had a 14-play, 91-yard drive capped off by a three-yard RJ Harvey touchdown run to extend the lead to 21-7. Harvey finished the day with 17 carries for 74 yards and six receptions for 25 yards. Rook for six 🔥#ProBowlVote + @rjharvey07pic.twitter.com/qNhUWlqzMA— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 7, 2025Las Vegas drove down to Denver’s seven-yard line late in the third quarter before Smith exited due to injury. Kenny Pickett replaced him to begin the fourth quarter and the Raiders turned the ball over on downs at the five. The Broncos then ate up 10:17 worth of clock before kicking a 23-yard Wil Lutz field goal to make it 24-7 with just under four minutes to go. Pickett threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Shedrick Jackson on Vegas’ ensuing drive to cut the deficit to 24-14 with just over two minutes remaining. The Raiders later got the ball back and kicked a field goal as time expired to seal a 24-17 result. Up next, Denver will return home to host the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Broncos first first in AFC after win over Raiders