The Denver Broncos are who they are at this point in the 2026 season, but right now, it’s working. Despite winning 16 straight one-score games dating back to last fall, the Broncos have found a way. Their latest great escape came in a 26-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 of the season.
Denver went through the seemingly usual ups and downs of being ahead and behind, as well as the thrilling last-second win made possible by the defense.
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We take a look back at the studs and duds of yet another wild win by the Broncos.
In his return to action after a stint on injured resolve, Pat Bryant replaced a lot of the targets Jaylen Waddle may have gotten. Bryant was dynamic in the open field, catching the ball and running after the catch, leading all Broncos receivers with 56 yards on four catches. Bryant also caught a wide-open touchdown to crack the game open for good. If Waddle is not healthy after Denver’s bye, Bryant will be a force to be reckoned with–if the Broncos don’t use him as a potential bargaining chip in trade negotiations.
The old NFL cliche goes that you have to run to set up the pass. Denver continues to fail to have a 100-yard rusher in a game. Despite having a rushing attack that only mustered 82 total rushing yards, the Broncos seem to have found their No. 1 back. Jonah Coleman led all rushers with 17 carries for 57 yards, a rushing touchdown and four catches for 31 yards. Coleman has a touchdown in each of Denver’s past two contests.
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This game turned on its head in a crucial sequence in the third quarter; it was Broncos backup safety and 2025 All-Pro Devon Key who alertly (and nonchalantly) snagged a Bryce Young pass in the end zone for one of the most incredible interceptions you’ll ever see. Denver used the ensuing offensive possession to march down the field and retake the lead for good in the fourth quarter.
As it usually does, the game came down to the Broncos defense. Needing to hold Young and the Carolina offense without a touchdown, pass-rusher Nik Bonitto evoked shades of Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller by beating a Panther tackle on the edge of the line of scrimmage, winding up and stripping Young of the ball to seal the Denver victory. The huge play was much-needed for an exhausted Broncos defense.
The Broncos secondary continues to be hammered by injuries, as No. 2 corner Riley Moss went down with a scary-looking hit to the head, which left him motionless for several moments on the field. Denver struggled mightily in Moss’ absence, with Jahdae Barron having a rough day against Carolina tight ends. Moss’ injury was piled onto the absence of Eyioma Uwazurike, Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones and Kris Abrams-Draine. In addition to Moss, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle went out of the game in the first half with a concussion after a massive hit. Having the bye week to rest and recover will be much-needed heading into the second half of the season.
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The Broncos, despite their heart attack-inducing ways, have found a way to make it through the most difficult part of their schedule at 4-2, and after a loss, go on a five-game win streak to close out the first half of the year. Denver’s schedule does not get easier, as they face the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots within a span of weeks. All those games, especially Buffalo, may determine the AFC’s top seed and where the Broncos lie in the AFC hierarchy. Time will tell just how things will shake out, but Denver is sitting in a very good place heading into a much-needed bye.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Studs and duds from Broncos’ 26-21 win over Panthers
