The Denver Broncos just never find a way to make it easy for themselves. They extended their one-score win streak to an NFL record 16 games. As usual, the Broncos offense struggled for stretches and looked for in others. Denver’s defense looked downright bad at times with three of their four starters on the backend out of the game.
However, in true Bo Nix Experience fashion, the team rallied when they needed it most and came out with their fifth-straight win. At 7-2, they head into the bye week needing
the rest and in first place in the AFC West.
Broncos vs. Panthers final score
First Quarter
The Broncos got the ball to start the game and proceeded to dominate the entire quarter with almost 11 minutes of possession.
Bo Nix and the offense would add a field goal on their first drive, then attack down the field on their second. The first big play went to Jaylen Waddle for 22 yards.
Then a screen pass to Evan Engram picked up another 20. From there, they’d get setup with a first and goal where Nix would find Courtland Sutton on a quick slant for the first touchdown of the game.
Broncos 10, Panthers 0. Full first quarter recap.
Second Quarter
After an outstanding first quarter, the Broncos offense lost all momentum midway through the second on a long drive that looked like it could turn into points when Nix lost a Panthers defensive back in coverage who was able to leap and intercept the pass. It was Bo Nix’s first interception in 180 pass attempts.
The turnover sparked the Panthers offense who made a long march down the field — converting a third and 17 along the way — to score their first touchdown of the game and cut the lead to three with just over a minute left in the half.
Nix and the Broncos were able to respond though and picked up enough yards without any timeouts to get Wil Lutz a 48-yard field goal attempt to extend their lead to six just before halftime.
Broncos 13, Panthers 7. Full second quarter recap.
Third Quarter
Bryce Young and the offense were incredibly hot all through the third quarter. They’d score a touchdown on their opening possession, then despite starting from their own 12-yard line marched down the field controlling most of the third quarter. On the cusp of going up by 8 points, Young had his pass tipped up and Devon Key was there to snatch it off the ground in the end zone for a critical turnover for the Broncos.
That turnover kept it a one point game heading into the fourth quarter.
Panthers 14, Broncos 13. Full third quarter recap.
Fourth Quarter
Now that Denver found themselves behind in the fourth quarter, the offense woke back up. After the Devon Key interception, they would match down the field and into field goal range. A critical play on the drive cam eon third and six where Nix found Courtland Sutton outside for a chunk play to the Panthers’ 20 yard line. Jonah Coleman would cap the 14-play, 80 yard drive with a nine yard touchdown run.
They’d go for two and despite having had an 80% conversion rate on two-point plays, they couldn’t get it done there and remained in the lead 19-14.
After forcing a three-and-out thanks to Jonathon Cooper’s first sack of the season, the Broncos got the ball back with great field position midway through the fourth quarter. With multiple third down conversions, the drama was setup with yet another third down where Nix found Pat Bryant wide open for the easy pitch and catch 26-yard touchdown to put the Broncos up 26-14.
The Panthers had no quit in this game either. They had to convert on a fourth and 18 on their next drive to keep their hopes alive with three minutes left in the game. Somehow, the Broncos defense always seems to find a way to give up a huge play in impossible down and distances. The ensuing touchdown would narrow the lead to 26-21.
On the ensuing drive, many of us on MHR staff were hoping for a second down play-action type call. Instead we got a pitch outside that Coleman bobbled and fumbled. He was able to recover, but the damage was done and the Broncos would be punting it back to Carolina with plenty of time on the clock for them to execute their own comeback.
The Panthers looked like they would mount a comeback of their own on a 21-yard completion on the first play, but on the second Nik Bonitto batted the ball out of Byrce Young’s hand where Denver recovered to ice the game.
Casa Bonitto, baby!
Broncos 26, Panthers 21.
