The Carolina Panthers had their chances Sunday afternoon, but a controversial third-quarter interception and a costly late turnover proved to be the difference as the Denver Broncos rallied for a 26-21 victory at Bank of America Stadium.
The loss was Carolina’s third consecutive defeat, dropping the Panthers to 3-5 on the season, while Denver improved to 7-2 with its fifth straight victory.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young turned in a solid performance, completing 28 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, but the Panthers were unable to finish off the Broncos after holding a second-half lead.
Denver jumped out to a 10-0 advantage in the first quarter behind a 26-yard field goal from Wil Lutz and a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton.
The Panthers answered in the second quarter when Young connected with tight end Tommy Tremble on a 10-yard touchdown pass, cutting Denver’s lead to 10-7. The Broncos added a 48-yard field goal from Lutz just before halftime to take a 13-7 lead into the locker room.
Carolina came out strong in the second half, putting together an impressive scoring drive capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Young to Darren Waller. The extra point gave the Panthers their first lead of the afternoon at 14-13.
The biggest turning point came late in the third quarter with Carolina threatening to extend its lead.
Facing first-and-goal at the Denver one-yard line, Young attempted a pass to Tremble in the end zone that was initially ruled incomplete. However, Denver head coach Sean Payton challenged the ruling, and after a lengthy review, officials determined Broncos safety Devon Key had intercepted the pass.
The controversial decision took away a golden scoring opportunity for Carolina and gave Denver possession at its own 20-yard line.
The Broncos took advantage, marching 80 yards on 14 plays before running back Jonah Coleman scored on a nine-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Denver’s two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Broncos ahead 19-14.
Denver extended its lead when Nix connected with Pat Bryant on a 26-yard touchdown pass, pushing the advantage to 26-14.
But the Panthers weren’t finished.
Young led Carolina on another scoring drive, finding rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan for a four-yard touchdown with just over three minutes remaining. The score brought the Panthers within five points at 26-21.
After forcing a Denver punt, Carolina got the football back with an opportunity to drive for the winning touchdown.
However, the comeback attempt ended when Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto broke through the Carolina offensive line and delivered a strip-sack on Young with 1:24 remaining. Bonitto recovered the fumble, allowing Denver to run out the clock and secure the victory.
Young’s top target was Waller, who finished with eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
For Denver, Nix completed 25 of 37 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, while Coleman added 57 rushing yards and a score.
Despite outgaining Denver 353-312 in total offense, Carolina struggled with penalties, committing 13 infractions for 119 yards.
The loss was another frustrating result for head coach Dave Canales and the Panthers, who showed they could compete with one of the AFC’s top teams but failed to make the critical plays down the stretch.
For Denver, the victory marked an NFL-record 16th consecutive win in games decided by eight points or fewer.
UP NEXT: The Panthers will look to snap their three-game losing streak this Sunday, November 15, when they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints in an important NFC South matchup.
Fans can catch all the Carolina Panthers action on KOOL 102.7 FM, beginning with the Panthers pregame show following our Sunday morning church services with kickoff set for 1pm.
