The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers on Sunday after safety Devon Key's wild interception flipped the game.
From the one-yard line, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw a pass to tight end Tommy Tremble, who was covered by Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad in the end zone. The ball ended up bouncing off Tremble's arm, and Denver safety Devon Key grabbed it before it hit the ground. Officials whistled the play dead, thinking the ball had bounced off the ground.
The Panthers then lined up and snapped the ball for another play. However, after that play, officials said the Broncos were granted a challenge for the previous play because coach Sean Payton had thrown a challenege flag before the ball was snapped.
Broncos win the challenge:
Ball never touched the ground and Devon Key is awarded an interception.https://t.co/vh81BZ7Gdk pic.twitter.com/JV7BRmPcKc
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) November 8, 2026
In a pool report after Denver's eventual 26-21 win, instant replay VP Mark Butterworth explained the decision.
"Replay can get involved to make sure the head coach throws his challenge flag prior to the next snap," Butterworth said. "We were actually able to use angles to show that the flag was out prior to the ball being snapped so we permitted the challenge."
That takeaway prevented the Panthers from punching the ball in from the one-yard line and going up 21-13. Instead, after being awarded a touchback, the Broncos marched 80 yards and running back Jonah Coleman scored a touchdown from nine yards out to take a 19-14 lead.
That turnover flipped the game, and Payton getting his challenge flag out in time made the review possible.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Here’s why Broncos were awarded a challenge after Panthers ran a play
