Broncos Set NFL Record With 16th Straight One-Score Win

The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

The victory marked the 16th consecutive one-score win for Denver, a new record for the National Football League.

Quarterback Bo Nix led the offense to two late touchdown drives that secured the lead.

The Broncos finished the first quarter with 10 points, the highest total for that period this season.

Nix completed 8 of 11 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown during the final scoring drives.

Wide receiver Pat Bryant caught a 26-yard pass up the seam to put Denver ahead 26-14.

The running game struggled, with Denver averaging just 2.5 yards per carry midway through the third quarter.

Rookie running back Jonah Coleman and veteran J.K. Dobbins found little space against the Panthers defensive line.

Denver’s defense lost three starters before or during the game, including safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones.

Cornerback Riley Moss left the game in the second half with a concussion.

The Panthers exploited the depleted secondary, with quarterback Bryce Young targeting tight end Darren Waller.

Backup safety Devon Key intercepted a pass at the goal line to shift momentum to Denver at the 20-yard line sequence began when Justin Strnad broke up a pass intended for Tommy Tremble. The ball deflected off Tremble’s forearm and fell to Key. Head coach Sean Payton challenged the call, and the review confirmed the interception. Nix then led the team to the end zone on the next drive. Running back Jonah Coleman scored on a 9-yard run to extend the lead. Late in the game, Bryce Young converted a fourth-and-18 play to give Carolina a final chance. The Panthers drove to the Denver 36-yard line. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto pressured Young from the edge, causing the quarterback to fumble. Bonitto recovered the strip-sack to end the game. Punter Jeremy Crawshaw averaged 53.7 yards per punt, including a 64-yard kick. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 43-yard field goal, ending a perfect season for the unit. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph limited Carolina to a 30 percent third-down conversion rate. The Broncos entered their bye week with a 7-2 record and first place in the AFC West. The team will use the week to address issues in the secondary and offensive line. The probability of winning 16 one-score games in a row is roughly 1 in 65,536, according to statistical estimates. Payton noted that some of the recent close games should have been wider victories. He stated that the consistency of the wins is not due to luck. The Broncos will look to maintain their lead in the division when they return to play.