Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales may be looking to move on from yesterday's questionable showing by NFL officials.
The team's 26-21 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday was headlined by a controversial challenge, in which Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton may or may not have gotten his red flag out too late. Payton's challenge, which would ultimately overturn an incompletion into a game-tiling interception, was acknowledged by referees after the ensuing play was snapped and whistled dead.
Following the game, vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth told Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer that officials determined, via replay, that Payton challenged in time.
On Monday, Canales was asked if he's seen the replay Butterworth
alluded to. Here was his response . . .
#Panthers coach Dave Canales said he has yet to see the replay the officiating crew saw — in which #Broncos coach Sean Payton threw the challenge flag in time. More here: pic.twitter.com/bJkGECfFZN
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) November 9, 2026
After the reversal, the Broncos would go on a 13-0 run—reaching the end zone on both of their next two possessions. The Panthers were able to cut the deficit down to five, and even flirted with a late go-ahead drive in contest's final two minutes. That, however, was squashed when quarterback Bryce Young was strip-sacked by two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Nik Bonitto from Denver's 36-yard line.
Refs from Sunday's outing have also received criticism for a handful of non-calls that didn't break Carolina's way. One of those came on the interception, when Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad made contact with tight end Tommy Tremble prior to the arrival of the ball.
Perfect place at the perfect time!
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
Devon Key with an improbable INT for the @Broncos!
DENvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/AnjjfvlHFi
Nevertheless, the Panthers will enter Week 10 at 3-5—and still, even on a three-game losing streak, atop the NFC South.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers HC Dave Canales says he has yet to see NFL's video evidence of controversial challenge
