The 8-2 Denver Broncos are off to their best start since the year they won the Super Bowl, but many still question their ability to contend. And rightfully so.

Today’s Hottest Take: More Dobbins Touches Will Help Bo Nix and the Passing Attack

Thursday was maybe the ugliest win of the season; there was no explosive fourth quarter or big-time lead. Denver just barely beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football, and the start of the game likely led to some NFL fans turning their televisions to a different channel.

Through four possessions, the Broncos failed to get even one first down. Quarterback Bo Nix and his weapons just weren’t accomplishing anything.

The bigger issue, though, was J.K. Dobbins’s lack of involvement. The running back had three carries on the Broncos’ first three offensive plays, and had just one more touch in that stretch of three-and-outs.

The next time Dobbins touched the ball, it was a 13-yard run for a first down. Not much went right offensively against the Raiders, but it felt like good results often happened when Dobbins touched the ball.

Denver loves passing the ball, which gives Dobbins more opportunities, but the more he touches the ball, the easier it is for Nix and the passing game to move the ball down the field. Dobbins ended the game with 18 rushes for 77 yards and a 66.1 Pro Football Focus grade. It was far from an outstanding day for the first-year Bronco, but Dobbins is the most consistent weapon on the Broncos’ offense, and he needs to be remembered going forward.

What You Need To Know: Nik Bonitto Was in Need of a Get-Right Game

A quiet game for Nik Bonitto is a great game for many edge rushers, but Bonitto has been on a slight plateau. He hadn’t had a sack since Week 6 against the New York Jets, and he failed to register a sack against the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, but the star edge rusher was still doing his job for the most part. He had 10 combined pressures in those games, according to PFF, he just couldn’t finish a play for a sack.

Just like a good shooter, Bonitto just needed to see one fall, in this case, a quarterback. Against Las Vegas, Bonitto had nine pressures and 1.5 sacks. Even if the Raiders have a weak offensive line, it was important for Bonitto to pick up some momentum.

Before You Go: Singleton’s Heroics Shouldn’t Go Unnoticed

Alex Singleton has been a bit of an unsung hero in Denver this season. Singleton missed most of last season due to injury, but he’s been reliable for the Broncos this year. He currently has 89 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, but Monday, he made a shocking announcement.

The linebacker posted that he was diagnosed with a testicular tumor that he had successfully removed on Friday. It is currently unclear if he will miss time, but he deserves praise for his performance on Thursday, especially given the circumstances.

Singleton was tied for a team-high of nine tackles in Thursday’s win over Las Vegas after just recently finding out about his diagnosis. Singleton had been the most consistent linebacker on the Denver defense. If Singleton misses time, Denver may need to find a way to get linebackers Justin Strnad and Dre Greenlaw on the field at the same time.