CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Denver Broncos made NFL history Sunday afternoon, holding off the Carolina Panthers for a 26-21 victory to secure their 16th consecutive win in one-score games, Broncos Wire and SB Nation reported.
The victory pushed Denver to 7-2 on the season, keeping the franchise atop the AFC West as the league approaches Tuesday’s trade deadline. Carolina dropped to 3-5 after repeatedly stalling in key moments despite a spirited comeback effort.
Early momentum and crucial turnovers
Denver set the tone early by dominating possession in the opening quarter. Kicker Wil Lutz opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal, followed by a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. That gave the Broncos a 10-0 advantage late in the first quarter.
However, the momentum stalled midway through the second quarter. Nix threw his first interception in 180 pass attempts when Carolina cornerback Corey Thornton jumped a pass in the red zone, according to Broncos Wire. The Panthers capitalized quickly, as quarterback Bryce Young capped a long drive with a nine-yard touchdown throw to tight end Tommy Tremble. Lutz added a 48-yard field goal just before the break, sending Denver into halftime with a 13-7 lead.
Carolina took its first lead early in the third quarter when Young connected on a 15-yard scoring strike to tight end Darren Waller. The Panthers appeared poised to extend that 14-13 edge after driving down to Denver’s one-yard line. Facing first-and-goal, Young attempted a pass that was deflected and plucked out of the air by Broncos safety Devon Key in the end zone, Panthers Wire reported.
Late scores and defensive stop
Sparked by the turnover, Denver engineered an 80-yard drive that ended with rookie running back Jonah Coleman scoring on a nine-yard rush. A failed two-point conversion kept the Broncos ahead 19-14 early in the fourth quarter. Nix soon widened the margin, connecting with wideout Pat Bryant for an uncontested 26-yard touchdown reception on third down.
The Panthers refused to fold quietly. Young directed a 12-play march that concluded with a four-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan, trimming Denver’s cushion to five points with just over three minutes remaining. Carolina quickly got another opportunity after Coleman bobbled an outside toss and lost 18 yards, forcing a Denver punt after the two-minute warning.
With Carolina threatening near midfield, Denver outside linebacker Nik Bonitto broke through the line, stripped the ball from Young, and secured the loose ball at the Broncos’ 36-yard line with 1:24 left to ice the game.
“Generally speaking, played really well,” Carolina head coach Dave Canales told reporters following the loss, as quoted by Panthers Wire. “And we were able to do some things in the pass game, the run game. We didn’t get it going exactly how we felt like we could. They played us well.”
Injuries and what comes next
Young completed 28 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Chuba Hubbard contributed 79 rushing yards on 16 attempts. However, Carolina committed 13 penalties for 119 yards and missed a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter, according to Panthers Wire.
The victory came at a physical cost for Denver. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Riley Moss were both ruled out at halftime after being evaluated for concussions, Broncos Wire reported.
The Broncos now face the league’s trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon before entering their Week 10 bye week. After resting, Denver will return to action in Week 11 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.
