Broncos: Five straight wins after successful late challenge
Denver secured a 26-21 victory over Carolina, extending a streak of 16 consecutive one-score wins.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Denver Broncos fans left Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with another victory after their team defeated the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday. This win marks the fifth straight game for Denver, extending their record to 16 consecutive wins in games decided by eight points or fewer.
Quarterback Bo Nix finished the afternoon with 237 passing yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant for scores. Running back Jonah Coleman added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Broncos entered the upcoming bye week with a 7-2 record, sitting alone atop the AFC West division.
The decisive moment occurred late in the third quarter when head coach Sean Payton used a coach's challenge. Carolina was facing a first-and-goal situation at the Denver one-yard line. Bryce Young threw a pass toward the corner of the end zone that officials initially called incomplete. After the Panthers executed a second-down play, the league determined Payton had thrown the flag before the snap. The review confirmed Denver safety Devon Key intercepted the ball after it deflected off tight end Tommy Tremble. The turnover stopped Carolina's drive and gave the Broncos the ball at their own 20-yard line.
Tremble expressed surprise at the procedural outcome. He noted that the team had already run the subsequent play before the challenge was validated. He described the situation as unfortunate for the Panthers, who had built momentum late in the third quarter.
Denver capitalized on the shift in momentum. The offense drove 80 yards in 14 plays. Coleman scored on a nine-yard run to put the Broncos ahead 19-14 with 10:17 remaining. Shortly after, Nix threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Bryant down the seam to create a two-possession lead.
The Panthers attempted a comeback with 3:05 left. Young completed a 25-yard pass on fourth down to Tetairoa McMillan for a four-yard score. Denver faced trouble on the next possession when Coleman fumbled a pitchout, resulting in an 18-yard loss and a punt. With 1:24 remaining, linebacker Nik Bonitto stripped the ball from Young, who had been sacked three times in the contest. Bonitto recovered the fumble to seal the victory.
Payton stated that the team's continued success in close games is not accidental. Nix said the squad feels comfortable in those final moments. The Broncos will have a bye week before hosting Las Vegas on November 22. Carolina travels to New Orleans on Sunday.
