The Denver Broncos were able to escape Charlotte with a 26-21 victory on Sunday, improving their record to 7-2 on the season. It was the team's fifth straight win.
This was a game the Broncos could have easily lost, which was incredibly frustrating given the way things started out. The Broncos took a 10-0 lead and were driving for another score, but a turnover near the Panthers' end zone completely changed the direction of the game.
The Broncos had to make some big plays down the stretch in order to get their 16th straight victory in one-score games, a new NFL record. Now, let's take a look at what was good, what was bad and what was ugly for the Broncos from this one.
The good, bad and ugly for the Broncos in Week 9
The good
Pat Bryant: It was nice to see Pat Bryant back in the lineup and he caught four
passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
PB13 TD‼️
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Xnh8Iz1aTm
The Broncos have missed him and he adds a strong element to the team's passing game. After suffering an injury that caused him to miss the team's last four games, Bryant picked up right where he left off.
Devon Key interception: Simply put, the Broncos probably won this game because of this crazy play. The Broncos barely got a challenge flag thrown in time, but replays clearly showed that Devon Key intercepted a pass in the end zone after it bounced around. It was a lucky play, but a game-changing play.
THAT’S AN INT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/w46K3YBkq4
Nik Bonitto: The Broncos gave the Panthers the ball back with a chance to go down the field and win the game. That drive started with a 20-yard completion to Tetairoa McMillan, and it looked like the Panthers were moments away from scoring the game-winning touchdown. But on the next play, Nik Bonitto came up huge, sacking Bryce Young, forcing the ball free, and recovering the fumble to seal the victory.
NIK BONITTO STRIP SACK!
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 8, 2026
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/it7jIUXHba
The bad
Broncos' running game: This is a growing concern for the team. With the team once again being ineffective at running the ball on Sunday, the front office should be considering a move before Tuesday's trade deadline. Whether that be for Jonathan Taylor, Breece Hall, Tony Pollard, or someone else, it should be discussed.
The Broncos gained 82 yards on 27 rushing attempts in this game. Against the 30th-ranked run defense, that is unacceptable.
Bo Nix interception: Holding a 10-0 lead and looking for more, Bo Nix threw an interception that completely shifted the tide in this game. Facing 2nd-and-8 from the Panthers' 19-yard line, Nix threw in the direction of Courtland Sutton, but he didn't account for Corey Thornton dropping back and snagging the ball out of the air. It was a tremendous play by Thornton, but a throw Nix should have never made.
The Panthers then went on a 14-play drive the other way, which finished in the Broncos' end zone. Instead of a 17-0 or 13-0 lead, the Broncos led just 10-7.
The ugly
Late mistake by Jonah Coleman: Jonah Coleman had a decent game up to this point, but his unforced error nearly cost the Broncos the game.
The Broncos needed to just melt the clock in order to get a victory, but the Panthers still had all three timeouts. After a 2-yard gain on first down, the Broncos called a toss play on second down. Nix tossed the ball to Coleman, but his concentration was off and he bobbled it. The ball was knocked backwards and several Panthers were chasing it down. Coleman did manage to fall on the ball, but it led to a loss of 18 yards and knocked the Broncos all the way back to their own 8-yard line.
COLEMAN FUMBLES THE BALL ALL THE WAY INSIDE THE BRONCOS 5 pic.twitter.com/0NWCbSMYH3
— Oate Noats (@OatetheNoats) November 8, 2026
This play was nearly disastrous and the Broncos can only hope it's a mistake he learns from. You can't have that in a late-game situation. He seemed to understand that after the game.
The Broncos now head into their bye week before returning to the field in Week 11 for a home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. But as referenced above, the team should be working the phones ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X!
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: The good, the bad and the ugly from Broncos’ 26-21 win over Panthers
