ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos see more yellow flags than anybody but the Jacksonville Jaguars. They punt more than any team outside of Cleveland. They lack star power at quarterback, wide receiver and even running back now that J.K. Dobbins is out.

So what?

They're 10-2 after dodging the Washington Commanders 27-26 in overtime Sunday night for their ninth consecutive victory, a thriller capped by Nik Bonitto knocking down Marcus Mariota's 2-point pass to his wide-open running back Jeremy McNichols.

“We didn't escape. We won," said coach Sean Payton after the Broncos' fourth straight victory by a field goal or less, which tied an NFL record set by the New York Giants in 1986.

“The journey of a good team’s season involves games like this. And then you believe you can do it again.”

Indeed, the Broncos have trailed at some point in all nine of their victories during their winning streak. That's never been done before in the NFL.

“There's just this feeling like you never truly feel like you're out of it,” tight end Adam Trautman said. “And I know we feel that way specifically on offense because of how great out defense is. I would say that's why we're able to pull a lot of these games out."

After pulling out so many close games, the Broncos just don't flinch under pressure.

Despite finishing the fourth quarter with three punts, they produced a touchdown on the opening drive of overtime, fueled by tight end Evan Engram's 41-yard gain on a pass over the middle from Bo Nix, who has engineered a half dozen game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime this season.

“Yeah, and that obviously stems from Bo because he is so calm,” Trautman said, ”like maybe make a little joke or smile in the huddle and everyone feels relaxed and I think we all just trust each other at a very high level. But yeah, we're super confident going into all those situations."

That steady heartbeat is the result of being in so many close games.

“If you stay in the middle with your temperament and your mindset and your attitude, usually everything will work out,” Nix said. "You can stay calm so everybody else can stay calm, and it’s just football at the end of the day.”

What’s working

Denver's defense may have surrendered some big plays but the unit came up big when it mattered most, capped by Bonitto's victory-salvaging batted pass to end it. He was so hyped up afterward that he thwacked away the ball again when a teammate tried to hand it to him for a keepsake in the moments after his big play.

What needs help

It's an almost weekly sore spot, but Darren Rizzi's special teams units keep goofing up in some capacity. On Sunday night, RB Tyler Badie was whistled for an illegal formation foul on Denver's first kickoff following an opening field goal. JL Skinner had made a terrific tackle on returner Deebo Samuel at the Washington 10-yard line. On the do-over, McNichols' 15-yard return gave the Commanders a start at their 21 instead.

Stock up

ILB Alex Singleton played all but one snap in his return from testicular cancer surgery and he made a great play to break up a deep pass late in the fourth quarter.

Stock down

There's not much to complain about when a team wins nine games in a row.

Injuries

S Talanoa Hufanga was a late add to the injury report Sunday because of an illness, but he played all 90 defensive snaps and led the team with 13 tackles, including two for a loss, and he batted down a pass.

Key stats

— 9 wins in a row marks the Broncos' longest winning streak since they won 11 straight in 2012.

— The Broncos are now 27-10 after their bye week since 1990. That's tied with the Bills and Eagles for most post-bye wins in that span.

— Bonitto has double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons. He's the first Denver defender to accomplish that feat since Von Miller did it from 2014-18.

Next steps

For the second straight week the Broncos will face a team on a six-game skid when they travel to Las Vegas to play the Raiders, a team they beat 10-7 in Week 10.

Pete Carroll searches for answers as Raiders' dismal season continues

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Pete Carroll, ever the optimist, continues to search for a winning formula for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Nothing has worked so far.

Carroll made two major decisions last month hoping to find a spark for what is now a 2-10 team. He fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, so there aren't a lot of major moves he can make at the moment.

That leaves Carroll looking for other avenues to success for Las Vegas. But they are going to be hard to find for the rest of this season.

The Raiders are 7 1/2-point home underdogs, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, to Denver on Sunday. The rest of the schedule? At Philadelphia and Houston, and then home against the New York Giants and Kansas City.

The Giants also are closing out a rough season, but the Raiders likely will be substantial underdogs in the other three games. But it makes little difference in the big picture — outside of a more favorable draft position — if Las Vegas finishes with two or three victories.

The Raiders' last three-win season occurred in 2014, and the last time they won just two games was in 2006.

To put their dismal season in further context, the Raiders' 14.9 points per game is the third-worst in franchise history. The 2006 team averaged 10.5 points and the 2009 club averaged 12.3.

Carroll and his staff experimented with players on the offensive line in Sunday's 31-14 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, and it didn't matter. Take away a 65-yard drive in the fourth quarter with the outcome well decided, and the Raiders gained just 91 yards.

The team is paying the price for what appears a subpar draft and disappointing free agent signing period.

“The message (to players) is we’re going to look at the stuff that we did well, that we liked and we can build from,” Carroll said. “We’ll look at the issues that we have to deal with. The balance on offense and running the ball, not being able to get that done. Third downs have been a problem. Show reasons why we keep believing.”

Carroll chooses to look at the positives because it’s in his nature.

He also doesn’t have a choice.

What’s working

Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly intercepted a pass near the goal line. It was the third pick in four games for the Las Vegas native. He had no interceptions in his first two seasons.

What needs help

The Raiders have had opportunities to win — or at least play more competitive games — beyond their two victories. But they have blown many of their chances, including against the Chargers. That game was 7-7 at halftime. Las Vegas' next opponent, Denver, escaped with a 10-7 victory Nov. 6. A blocked field goal cost the Raiders a potential victory over Chicago. Jacksonville won in overtime when the Jaguars batted down a Raiders 2-point conversion pass.

Stock up

Moving up in the draft. Watching the Raiders on Sundays is painful for their fans, but there could be a big payoff for a franchise that generally does not like to tank for high picks.

Stock down

It's difficult to judge Ashton Jeanty because of the Raiders' awful offensive line, but other than a tackle-breaking run here and there, the running back has done little on his own to justify the No. 6 draft pick used on him. Jeanty rushed 15 times for 31 yards at LA. He has gained 635 yards on the ground this season, averaging 3.5 per carry.

Injuries

TE Michael Mayer (ankle) and C/G Jordan Meredith (ankle) didn't play against the Chargers, and Carroll said he didn't have an update on either player. He called both day to day.

Key number

10+ — The Raiders not only have lost 10 games, they have been outscored by 10.8 points per game. That combination has happened only four other times at this point in a season in franchise history — 2018 (2-10, -12.3), 2014 (1-11, -13.4), 1962 (0-12, -13.5) and 1961 (2-10, -14.7).

Next steps

The Raiders host AFC West rival Broncos on Sunday.

Nuggets' Murray sprains right ankle in 131-121 loss to Mavericks

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets are concerned about Jamal Murray after the point guard sprained his right ankle during Monday night's 131-121 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Murray got hurt early in the third quarter. After walking gingerly to the locker room, he returned and closed out the period. But he wasn’t on the bench for the final 12 minutes of Denver's fourth consecutive home loss.

Coach David Adelman said Murray will be evaluated Tuesday.

“It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively,” Adelman said. “Jamal’s such a tough player. If he sits himself because of the pain, it probably hurts. I’m hoping he can come back (for the next game).”

Murray was averaging a career-high 24 points coming into the game. He finished with 10 points and nine assists.

“It definitely was a hit, especially coming down the stretch,” said Spencer Jones, who scored a career-high 28 points for the Nuggets. “Everybody knows the deadly pick-and-roll of Mal and (Nikola Jokic). We definitely struggled.”

Murray tore his left ACL late in the 2020-21 season. He averaged 26.1 points and 7.1 assists during the 2023 postseason, which was capped by Denver winning its first NBA championship.

If Murray is out, he will join fellow starters Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) and Christian Braun (left ankle sprain) on the sideline.

Gordon was hurt in Houston on Nov. 21 and isn’t expected back until late December or early January. Braun sprained his ankle at the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 12 and was projected to miss at least six weeks.

Gordon and Braun are two of the team’s top defenders, and their absences have been noticeable at times.

“I’m not going to come in here any night and sit down and talk about guys that are out. We have enough here to be more consistent defensively,” Adelman said.

Johnson scores 17 points to lead Colorado past Cal Baptist, Buffs off to best start in 76 years

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — True freshman backup Isaiah Johnson scored 17 points and Barrington Hargress and Sebastian Rancik each scored 12 points and Colorado fought off California Baptist for a 78-70 win on Monday night.

Johnson made 9 of 11 foul shots and reserve Alon Michaeli added 11 points for the Buffaloes who shot 45% (24 of 53) including 38% (6 of 16) from 3-point range.

Dominique Daniels Jr. scored 25 points with the help of 10-of-11 shooting from the foul line, and Martel Williams scored 14 points for the Lancers.

Jordan Muller's layup with 13:03 left gave the Lancers a 50-48 lead after a Michaeli 3 tied it at 48. Daniels made it a four-point lead with 12:28 left, but the Lancers failed to score until 4:58 remained at which point Colorado took control with a 16-0 stretch and led 64-54 after Bangot Dak made a 3 with 5:12 left.

Williams converted a three-point play and Jonathan Griman had a dunk with 4:11 left to get Cal Baptist within 64-59. The Lancers pulled within 70-66 on Daniels' personal 5-0 run that included a 3 and a layup but never got closer.

It's the first time in 76 years — the 1949-50 season — that Colorado has started a season with eight straight wins.

Up Next

California Baptist travels to face ninth-ranked BYU on Wednesday.

Colorado plays at Colorado State on Saturday.