Bo Nix, Broncos seal win with late challenge against Panthers
Denver's coach overturned a ruling to flip field position, leading to a 26-21 victory that extends the team's winning streak to five.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday in Charlotte, securing their fifth consecutive win.
Bo Nix completed passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant each scored on receiving plays, while Jonah Coleman added a rushing touchdown and carried the ball for 57 yards.
The game's momentum shifted late in the third quarter due to a successful coach's challenge. Sean Payton threw the red flag before a snap on second down, prompting an official review of an earlier play. Officials determined that Denver safety Devon Key had intercepted a Bryce Young pass that had bounced off tight end Tommy Tremble. This interception moved the ball to the Denver 20-yard line and halted a potential Carolina scoring drive.
Following the turnover, the Broncos marched 80 yards over 14 plays to take a 19-14 lead. Coleman rushed for a 9-yard score with 10:17 remaining. Nix extended the advantage with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Bryant with 5:41 on the clock. Young reduced the gap to five points with a 4-yard throw to Tetairoa McMillan with 3:05 left.
The Broncos faced a misplayed pitchout from Nix to Coleman that cost them 18 yards, forcing a punt with two minutes remaining. Nik Bonitto stripped the ball from Young on a sack-fumble with 1:24 left, recovering it near midfield. Denver secured one first down to end the game.
Young finished 28 of 39 for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He was sacked three times, a drop from the six sacks he suffered in last week's loss to Green Bay. Darren Waller caught eight passes for 90 yards and a score for the Panthers, who are now 3-5 and have lost three straight. The Panthers played their first game under interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash. His unit was flagged seven times, including five for pass interference, while playing without its top four cornerbacks. Denver wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Riley Moss suffered concussions in the first half and left the game. The Broncos will play at home against Las Vegas on Nov. 22.
