DENVER, Colo. – The Denver Broncos secured a strong 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers, propelled by rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s impressive performance. Nix threw for three touchdowns and added another on the ground, showcasing his versatility. The win improved Denver’s record to 5-3 and marked the Panthers’ fifth consecutive loss, dropping them to 1-7.

First Half Highlights

Nix, in arguably his best game so far, threw for 284 yards, leading the Broncos to a 21-7 halftime advantage. He connected with tight end Adam Trautman for a 19-yard touchdown and found Nate Adkins for another score from three yards out. Denver’s offense was in rhythm, converting 10 of their first 12 third downs, a stark contrast to earlier struggles this season.

Head Coach Sean Payton praised the early success on third downs, saying:

“We hit a few tempo plays. We had a good third-down plan going in, and it was a focal point, so I was pleased with that.”

Payton also highlighted the importance of continued improvement, emphasizing that the Broncos “are not playing [their] best football yet.”

Defensive Dominance

Denver’s defense, ranked among the top units in the league, pressured Panthers quarterback Bryce Young consistently. Linebacker Nik Bonitto extended his streak with a sack in six straight games, a feat last achieved by Von Miller in 2018. Bonitto, credited the defensive scheme:

“Just keep following the game plan that [defensive coordinator] VJ gives us. We’re all rushing together.”

Denver’s defense capitalized on Carolina’s missteps, including a failed fake punt that set up Nix’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Jaleel McLaughlin. Additionally, cornerback Pat Surtain II snagged an interception, further stalling Carolina’s offense. Surtain acknowledged the team’s strong start but admitted:

“We didn’t finish how we wanted to, but we can correct that.”

Panthers’ Struggles Continue

Bryce Young, making his return as the Panthers’ starting quarterback, threw two touchdown passes but also had two interceptions. He connected with rookie Jalen Coker in a late scoring drive but struggled to find rhythm throughout most of the game. The Panthers, already plagued by injuries, had 22 players on the injury report and lost more during the game. The Broncos’ defense exploited this, forcing mistakes and maintaining control.

Key Performances and Player Reactions

Courtland Sutton had his first 100-yard game since Week 2 of the 2022 season, finishing with eight catches for 100 yards. While pleased with the win, Sutton acknowledged room for growth, stating:

“There’s a lot of areas where we’re not perfect at. We just got to continue to fine-tune the details.”

Tight end Nate Adkins celebrated his first career touchdown catch, expressing the moment’s significance:

“It was awesome. My brother even dreamt I’d score today. It’s pretty cool.”

Adkins’ score came on National Tight Ends Day, adding a bit of serendipity to his milestone.

Looking Ahead

Denver heads into a challenging two-game road stretch against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. Payton emphasized the importance of a quick turnaround, stating:

“Tomorrow we’re watching this tape. We’ll flip the page for Baltimore and get ready for a real good team.”

Nix echoed his coach’s sentiments, recognizing that more work needs to be done to sustain success:

“A win is a win, but we have to keep finding ways to get better.”

Injuries and Impact

Denver avoided significant injuries in the win, with TE Lucas Krull returning after a brief shoulder scare. Carolina wasn’t as fortunate, with TE Feleipe Franks suffering a concussion and OLB D.J. Johnson injuring his ankle.

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