Game Balls For The Broncos Win Over Panthers

The Denver Broncos set the NFL record for most consecutive one score wins in NFL history with their 26-21 road win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Bo Nix also added yet another fourth quarter comeback to his belt. He is setting a pace so far above historical norms that most assume he’ll come crashing back to earth at some point. But not today…

It looked early on like the Broncos were going to steamroll the Panthers, but momentum is a very real thing in the NFL and this game had two massive momentum swings that determined the outcome. The first came when Nix and the Broncos were rolling. In the red zone, on the verge of extending their 10-0 lead, a defender made a great play on the ball to intercept the pass. Nix never saw him.

That sparked the Panthers on a run of their own that had them up 14-13. Then, Devon Key made a heads up play on a ball that was tipped up in the end zone and snatched the ball just before it would have hit the ground.

That really was the game-saving turnover and swung momentum back Denver’s way. The were up 26-14 in very short order. Carolina made a game of it anyway late, but as usual, the defense made a play when it needed it the most. This team just has that clutch factor in all phases.

Here’s who we’re giving our game balls to from the Broncos win over the Panthers:

Nik Bonitto

When the Broncos needed a game-changing play, Casa Bonitto was open for business. The Broncos edge rusher delivered a strip-sack of Bryce Young on first-and-10 with 1:24 remaining in the game. Bonitto also recovered the fumble for Denver to help secure the big road victory. For the game, Bonitto finished with two tackles (two solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit. And as a fan who was surrounded by crying and whining Panthers fans the whole game, they got really quiet after Bonitto pulled his best Von Miller impression. #KeepPouting – Ian St. Clair

Pay Bryant

Pat Bryant get my gameball.  In a game where the Broncos lost Jaylen Waddle to injury, Pat Bryant needed to step up, and step up he did. He led the team with 56 receiving yards and caught 4 of his 5 targets. It also seemed like every one of his catches was a first down (or a TD). Coming back from injury, he showed that the Bronco offense is so much more effective with him in the game then with injured. – Joe Mahoney

Jonah Coleman

Jonah Coleman has worked his way into being the Broncos starting running back. The numbers don’t explode off the page, but his day against the Panthers earned him a gameball. With 57 rushing yards, 31 receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown, he helped the Broncos get a road win to stay atop the division. He also recovered the fumbled pitch from Bo Nix, which could have lead to disaster. When it was time to work the clock, it was Coleman that carried the load. Big game for the rookie. – Adam Malnati

Courtland Sutton

I feel like this was Courtland Sutton’s best game of the year. He dominated his 1v1 and drew multiple fouls on the Panthers’ defense that extended drives. He finished with just 5 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, but his impact was felt at key moments that won’t show up in that final stat line. We need more of that from Sutton down the stretch and it will open things up across the board. – Tim Lynch

Sean Payton

Sean Payton gets my game ball for getting the challenge flag on the interception in the end zone that swung the momentum for this game. He barely beat the snap, and it changed everything. Not only that, but Payton has this team dialed in on how to play football in tight ball games. He’s changed this culture in his time with this team from a team full of players just playing to a team full of players playing with belief in each other every play, no matter what the situation. – Sadaraine

Who gets your game ball for the Broncos-Panthers game? Share in the comments section below.