Charlotte, North Carolina: Broncos Beat Panthers 26-21 as Bonitto Strip Sack Seals It Late

The Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, in a Week 9 game that changed hands three times in the second half. Denver improved to 7-2. Carolina fell to 3-5 with a third straight loss.

Denver scored on its first two possessions. Sean Fresch Jr. returned the opening kickoff 41 yards, and a 27-yard pass interference penalty on Corey Thornton moved the Broncos deep into Carolina territory before the defense held at the 8-yard line. Wil Lutz kicked a 26-yard field goal. A 10-play, 81-yard drive ended with Bo Nix throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton, and Denver led 10-0 with 1:23 left in the first quarter. Broncos Wire noted it was the most first quarter points Denver has scored all season.

Carolina answered before halftime. Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Thornton intercepted Nix to stop another Denver drive. Bryce Young then led a 14-play, 86-yard drive and hit Tommy Tremble for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:27 left in the half. A kickoff out of bounds gave Denver the ball at its own 40 in the final seconds, and Lutz added a 48-yard field goal at the gun for a 13-7 halftime lead.

Carolina takes the lead, then loses it at the goal line

Young put Carolina ahead in the third quarter. His 15-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller ended a six-play, 65-yard drive and made it 14-13 with 11:30 left in the quarter. Young finished 28 of 39 for 276 yards and three touchdowns. Waller caught eight passes for 90 yards.

The game turned at the Denver goal line late in the third quarter. Carolina reached first and goal from the 1, and a Young pass to Tremble was first ruled a score, then reversed on review to an interception by Broncos safety Devon Key. Denver took over at its own 20 with Carolina still ahead 14-13.

Two Denver touchdowns, then one last stop

Jonah Coleman ran 9 yards for a touchdown with 10:17 left, ending a 14-play, 80-yard drive. The two-point try failed, and Denver led 19-14. Nix then found Pat Bryant open for a 26-yard touchdown with 5:41 to play, and the lead grew to 26-14. Nix finished 25 of 37 for 237 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Coleman carried 17 times for 57 yards and caught four passes for 31 yards.

Young brought Carolina back one more time. A 12-play, 64-yard drive ended with his 4-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan with 3:05 left, cutting the lead to 26-21. Carolina got the ball back and reached the Denver 36 on a 20-yard catch by McMillan with 1:49 to play. On the next snap, Nik Bonitto sacked Young, forced the fumble and recovered it himself. Replay upheld the call. Nix ran out the clock, kneeling at the Carolina 47 with 30 seconds left.

Carolina outgained Denver 353 yards to 312 and ran up 28 first downs, but the Panthers were called for 13 penalties for 119 yards and lost two turnovers. Denver held the ball for 31:55.

Two Broncos starters leave with concussions

Denver wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Riley Moss were ruled out at halftime with concussions, the Associated Press reported. Waddle took a hit from rookie safety Zakee Wheatley on a downfield catch late in the first quarter and finished with one catch for 22 yards. Moss was hurt in the second quarter while tackling running back Trevor Etienne.

Carolina plays at New Orleans next Sunday, Nov. 15.