Broncos hold off Panthers as Bonitto seals fifth straight win
Denver improved to 7-2 with a 26-21 victory, while Bo Nix extended his winning streak in one-score games to 17.
Nik Bonitto stripped Bryce Young and recovered the fumble with 1:18 remaining to secure Denver’s 26-21 victory over Carolina on November 8. The Broncos’ fifth consecutive win lifted them to 7-2, while the Panthers fell to 3-5.
Carolina began its final possession with 1:49 left and advanced 20 yards to Denver’s 36 before Bonitto ended the threat. The Panthers had regained possession after a backward fumble on Bo Nix’s pitch to Jonah Coleman cost the Broncos 12 yards.
Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing 14-13, then scored 13 unanswered points. Tetairoa McMillan’s 4-yard touchdown catch brought Carolina back within reach before the late turnover. Nix has now won 17 consecutive one-score games, the NFL’s longest such streak since 1950.
Nix finished 25-of-37 for 237 yards, throwing two touchdowns and an interception. Courtland Sutton scored on a 3-yard reception, and Pat Bryant caught a 26-yard touchdown pass. Bryant totaled four receptions for 56 yards. Coleman added a 9-yard rushing touchdown and finished with 57 yards on 17 carries.
Young completed 28-of-39 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Darren Waller contributed eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Chuba Hubbard rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries. Carolina held a 353-303 advantage in total yardage but committed two turnovers and 13 penalties for 119 yards. Ryan Fitzgerald also missed a 43-yard field goal.
