Denver Broncos safety Devon Key doesn't usually see the field much, mostly because he spends most of his time on special teams. Key was named a 2025 All-Pro as a special teams ace, but out of necessity, was pressed into service at the safety position after injuries to Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones and Kris Abrams-Draine.
Key turned unlikely hero during a critical goal line sequence in the third quarter, when he plucked an interception nearly off the ground. The turnover triggered a challenge from coach Sean Payton, overturning the original call on the field of an incomplete pass, and turned the tide of the game in Denver's favor for good.
Key broke down his play after the game for the CBS crew.
"I can't even tell even tell you," Key said. "It
just was right there; I'm like — hold on, did I really catch that?
"I was talking to (Panthers tight end Darren) Waller, I'm like 'Yo, I caught that!'"
You can see Key's full comments on the play below.
"I'm like — hold on, did I really catch that???" 🤣@Broncos safety Devon Key broke down his WILD first career INT for @EvanWashburn pic.twitter.com/JAUQGjGmVh
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 8, 2026
Quarterback Bo Nix acknowledged what an important play the pick turned out to be in the grand scheme of the game.
"Yeah, it was great for our sideline," Nix said postgame. "That was a huge turnover in the game and a big point swing and great momentum shifter for us.”
The play ended up being the single-biggest win probability swing in the entire game, per NextGen Stats.
S Devon Key's wild interception resulted in the largest win probability swing of the Broncos' win over the Panthers, via @NextGenStats.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) November 9, 2026
With Carolina at the 1-yard line, the Broncos held a 23% chance of winning.
After the interception, Denver's chances jumped 31 points to 54%.
Payton awarded Key a game ball for his efforts after the game.
"It was an amazing play," Payton said. "That was his first NFL interception, and I gave him a game ball in there and kind of just left it real low on the ground and he caught it. But that was a huge play.”
Although Key had an amazing play at safety, it's likely that he will go right back to his special teams position after the bye week. Hopefully Hufanga and Jones will be back in the lineup after Week 10, after rehabbing their respective injuries to get back into fighting shape.
For now, Key's play will join an already growing list of moments that have played a part in the 7-2 start to the season.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos’ special teams ace was a defensive hero with ‘amazing play’ vs. Panthers
