The Denver Broncos (7-2) overcame another fourth-quarter deficit in a 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers (3-5) in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. This marks the 16th consecutive time Denver has won a one-score game, setting a new NFL record.
On the game's opening drive, Denver drove down to the three-yard line before a delay of game penalty backed them up five yards and stalled the drive. Broncos kicker Wil Lutz then converted a 26-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
After Denver's defense forced a punt, the Broncos went 72 yards on 10 plays and Bo Nix threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton to extend the lead to 10-0 late in the first quarter.
ALL RISE!
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ULZ0KEiQtb
Later, in the second quarter,
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix snapped his streak of 180 passes without an interception with his first pick since Week 3. Carolina cornerback Corey Thornton intercepted the ball to halt a promising Denver drive in the red zone. Following that turnover, the Panthers drove down to the nine-yard line before quarterback Bryce Young threw a touchdown pass to tight end Tommy Tremble to make it 10-7 just before halftime.
After taking over with 1:27 remaining until the half, the Broncos drove down to the 30-yard line before Lutz converted a 48-yard field goal to make it 13-7 going into halftime.
In the second half, the Panthers went 65 yards on six plays, and Young hit tight end Darren Waller on a 15-yard touchdown pass to give Carolina a 14-13 lead. Following a Denver punt, the Panthers had another long drive down to the one-yard line before safety Devon Key came up with a wild interception:
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
Following that takeaway, Denver went 80 plays on 14 plays and running back Jonah Coleman scored from nine yards out to make it 19-14 (the Broncos' two-point conversion attempt failed).
The rook runs it in 💪
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Laj5AEaHGD
After the defense forced a punt, Denver's offense extended the lead when Nix connected with wide receiver Pat Bryant on a 26-yard touchdown pass to make it 26-14:
Bo Nix throws a 26-yard touchdown pass to Pat Bryant and the Broncos now lead the Panthers 26-14 with 5:41 remaining in Q4. pic.twitter.com/Lqwbm2tZu2
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) November 8, 2026
Carolina followed that up with a 12-play, 64-yard drive that ended with Young's four-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan to make it 26-21 with 3:05 remaining in the game. On the Broncos' next possession, Coleman botched a toss from Nix and lost 18 yards. Denver was then forced to punt from deep in their own territory just after the two-minute warning.
After that punt, the Panthers took over just shy of midfield. A few plays later, Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto clinched the game with a game-sealing sack:
That should do it. Nik Bonitto strips sacks Bryce Young and the Broncos take over. pic.twitter.com/vmhqwAHFGy
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) November 8, 2026
On the injury front, Broncos receiver Jaylen Waddle left late in the first quarter and cornerback Riley Moss left midway through the second quarter to be evaluated for possible concussions. Both players were ruled out at halftime. Later, in the fourth quarter, safety Devon Key exited to be evaluated but quickly returned to the game.
Up next for Denver is the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, followed by a bye in Week 10. After that, the Broncos will host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos set new NFL record with 26-21 win over Panthers
