The Denver Broncos improved to a 5-3 record after defeating the Carolina Panthers by the score of 28-14. The Panthers started this game out with a quick score off a Broncos turnover but the Broncos would go on to score 28 straight points before giving up a garbage-time touchdown.
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This game was dominated by the Broncos who saw their rookie quarterback go on to have a career-best day. They also celebrated National Tight End’s day by having two of their tight ends score touchdowns. The Broncos defense remained elite and the game was not close despite the Panthers going up 7-0 early in the game.
This game has plenty of winners on both sides of the ball and not many losers to speak of. So, with all that said, here are your winners and losers from the Broncos 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
QB Bo Nix - WINNER
The Broncos rookie quarterback had a career best day. He finished the game by going 28-37 for 284 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. He added 4 yards rushing which included a quarterback sneak touchdown which gave Nix a total of 4 touchdowns in this game.
This was by far Nix’s best career game as a rookie and he looked like a damn good starting quarterback out there. He looked comfortable, his footwork looked much improved, he was accurate, made plays downfield, showcased his arm strength, and had an overall great game.
Sure, “It was just the Panthers”, but the same people saying that would be hammering him if he struggled in his game. He is making strides and improving each and every week and we saw that today as the team was coming off their mini-bye week.
The Broncos are heading into a tough stretch where they go on the road to face the Ravens and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks and they’ll Nix to play like this in those games. I am excited and hyped to see what this team can do against two of the best teams in the AFC right now.
WR Courtland Sutton - WINNER
He did have that late fourth-quarter fumble which kept the Broncos from scoring their 5th touchdown of the game, but overall, the veteran receiver had a great game.
Sutton finished the game with 8 receptions for 100 yards and looked like a legitimate number one wide receiver in this game. He was coming off a game vs. the Saints where he was not targeted once but did not bitch and moan about it and had a helluva game today.
If Nix and Sutton can continue to build their chemistry and have more performances like this moving forward, we could see the Broncos offense come alive in the second half of the season.
TE Adam Trautman - WINNER
The Broncos tight end position has not done much at all on the receiving end this season. However, on National Tight End Day, the Broncos veteran tight end came alive and may have pushed Courtland Sutton for catch of the year.
Quarterback Bo Nix delivered a beautiful strike down the seam and Trautman made a beautiful one-handed catch for the touchdown. He would finish the game with 4 catches for 85 yards and basically tripled his season total on the year in this game. Trautman entered the game with just 2 catches for 32 yards and 0 touchdowns on the year. Hopefully, the veteran tight end can provide more pass catching upside moving forward.
EDGE Nik Bonitto - WINNER
The Broncos edge rusher recorded a sack in this game which gave him six straight game with a sack. This tied him with Von Miller who also went six straight games with a sack.
Bonitto, a former second round draft pick, has turned into one of the Broncos better defensive players and now has put himself in the same sentence as Von Miller. He has 6 sacks on the year and looks poised to improve on his career best sack total of 8 which he set last season.
If he can reach double digit sacks, he could be in line for a contract extension this upcoming offseason. Next Sunday, he gets the elusive Lamar Jackson and will look to make it 7 straight games with a sack.
Broncos ENTIRE Defense - WINNER
This includes Pat Surtain II, Zach Allen, Ja’Quan McMillian, and the rest of the Broncos defenders AND defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. This unit stepped up and dominated a game once again and helped the Broncos improve to a 5-3 record.
The Broncos held the Panthers to just 69 yards on the ground, held the Panthers to 5 of 14 on 3rd down, and 1 of 4 on 4th down, sacked Bryce Young twice, and forced 2 interceptions. Those interceptions were by Pat Surtain II and slot corner Ja’Quan McMillian.
The Panthers were beat up on offense heading into this game and the Broncos did their job against this unit. The first touchdown they gave up came off a turnover by the offense on a short field and the other came in garbage time late in the game. Other than that, the defense dominated all game and helped the Broncos improve to 5-3 on the year.
It has been a total team effort all season and that was the case today. Multiple players contributed and Vance Joseph has this unit playing elite defense through the first half of the season. If he can keep this up, the Broncos should be competitive in all their games this season.
Other Winners and Losers
Loser - Lil’Jordan Humphrey: Gotta give some losers. Humphrey fumbled the ball in the opening drive which led to the Panthers scoring the first points of the game. Ultimately, it did not cost the Broncos but you need to hang on to the ball better moving forward.
Loser - Troy Franklin: The rookie wide receiver was coming off some solid performances but makes the loser list today. Mainly for dropping yet another open deep ball. Nix threw a beautiful ball but it fell in-between Franklin’s arms. I still have high hopes for the rookie, but he needs to show he can bring in these passes like he did in college.
Winner - Jaleel McLaughlin: Led the Broncos in rushing today with 47 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry and had a reception for a touchdown. Jaleel excels in his change of pace role and hopefully, we see more games like this from him moving forward.
Winner - Nate Adkins: The blocking specialist tight end would haul in his first career touchdown reception in this game. He celebrated National Tight End’s Day the right way as he found the end zone along with teammate and fellow tight end Adam Trautman.
Winner - Riley Dixon: The Broncos punter pinned the Panthers inside the 20 twice today including a ball that was downed at the one yard line. He averaged 51 yards per punt and has been solid for the Broncos and helping them flip field position.
