Bo Nix throws for 2 TDs, Broncos win key challenge to beat Panthers 26-21 for fifth straight victory

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Denver Broncos continue to know how to win close games.

Bo Nix threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns and the Broncos benefitted from a momentum-turning coach’s challenge to beat the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday for their fifth straight win.

Denver has won 16 straight one-score (eight points or fewer) games.

“When those things keep falling your way, that’s not by accident,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Nix said it speaks to the character and toughness of the Broncos, who enter the bye week at 7-2 and alone atop the AFC West.

“I think we're just comfortable in that moment — when things get close at the end of the game,” Nix said. “... I'm just glad we're on this side of winning them and not in a streak of losing them.”

Jonah Coleman ran for 57 yards and a score and Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant each caught TD passes for the Broncos.

Denver needed a late strip-sack and fumble recovery with 1:24 left from Nik Bonitto on Bryce Young to prevent the Panthers from ending their streak of close wins. After Bonitto's fumble recovery, Nix picked up a first down on a third down QB sneak to seal the win.

Bonitto said he had been setting up Panthers left tackle Rasheed Walker all game for that particular rush around the outside.

“I had hit him with a few inside moves and I knew this could be one of my last rushes, so I set up a little jab inside and was able to (go outside) to make the play,” Bonitto said.

Young finished 28 of 39 for 276 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception for Carolina. He was sacked three times after being sacked six times in a loss last week to Green Bay.

Darren Waller had eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (3-5),

The Panthers took their only lead early in the third quarter when Young found Waller over the middle for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

The turning point came late in the third quarter when Payton won a key challenge.

With Carolina facing a first-and-goal at the Denver 1, Young threw a pass toward the corner of the end zone that was initially ruled incomplete. After the Panthers had run a second down play, officials stepped in and determined Payton had thrown the red challenge flag before the snap.

Upon review, officials ruled that Denver safety Devon Key had caught a ball that deflected off tight end Tommy Tremble's hand before it hit the ground. The interception gave the Broncos the ball at their 20 and ended Carolina's momentum and a chance to go up by eight.

“No one thought that was a possibility," Tremble said of the late review. “We ran a play. I’ve never seen someone run a play full through and then get a challenge for a previous play. I didn’t think that was possible. It’s unfortunate for that to happen to us.”

Denver took advantage of the momentum shift.

The Broncos drove 80 yards in 14 plays to take a 19-14 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run by Jonah Coleman with 10:17 remaining. Denver's 2-point conversion pass failed, but Nix made it a two-possession game when he connected with a wide-open Bryant on a 25-yard touchdown pass down the seam.

Nix called it the team's “best stretch of football” to score TDs on back-to-back possessions.

Still, the Panthers gave themselves a chance.

Young completed a 25-yard pass on fourth-and-18 and found Tetairoa McMillan for a 4-yard TD pass with 3:05 left. The Broncos nearly gave the game away when Coleman couldn't handle Nix's pitchout, resulting in an 18-yard loss and a punt with two minutes left.

But Bonitto saved the Broncos, sending Carolina to its third straight loss.

“No matter what, if the ball is in my hands we need to have it the next play,” Young said. “I take accountability for that. Good moment, we’re rolling, and then for it to be cut abrupt, again, I take accountability for that. We have to find a way to get it done in a moment like that.”

Despite the losing streak, the Panthers (3-5) are still in a three-way tie for first place with New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the NFC South. The Buccaneers play Sunday night at Chicago and could move into sole possession of first with a win.

The Broncos made a point early to go after Carolina's banged-up secondary, which was playing without its top four cornerbacks.

Denver's first two plays were deep throws, resulting in one pass interference penalty. Carolina starting cornerbacks Marco Wilson and Corey Thornton — both call-ups from the practice squad this week — combined for five defensive pass interference penalties.

“We knew they were banged up at that position,” Nix said. “It's always something you want to look out for and be aware of. When you have roster changes it's something to key on.”

Denver: Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Riley Moss suffered concussions in the first half and were ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Carolina: No injuries reported.

Denver: bye next week. Host Las Vegas on Nov. 22.

Carolina: at New Orleans on Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton catches a touchdown pass ahead of Carolina Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passes against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton celebrates after scoring against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton runs against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams found a wide-open Colston Loveland for a 38-yard catch to set up Cairo Santos' 38-yard field goal as time expired, and the Chicago Bears picked up a sloppy 27-24 victory over Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.

Chicago (7-2) committed five turnovers, including a career-high four interceptions by Williams. But he delivered after Mayfield rallied the Buccaneers in the final minutes.

Loveland was pushed out of bounds at the Tampa Bay 16 with 40 seconds left. After two kneel-downs by Williams, Santos delighted the crowd of 60,470 by drilling his second field goal of the night.

Chicago had a 24-16 lead when Luther Burden fumbled with 3:38 left and Tampa defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu returned the ball to the Bears 17.

Bucky Irving had an 11-yard carry before going in from the 6 for his second touchdown of the game. Mayfield scrambled for the 2-point conversion, tying it at 24 with 2:51 left.

Mayfield was 18 for 32 for 243 yards and two interceptions. Irving finished with 97 yards on 20 carries.

Mayfield failed to complete a pass in Tampa Bay’s previous game, a 16-0 win over Atlanta in wet conditions. The Buccaneers (3-6) rushed for a franchise-record 324 yards in the victory over the Falcons, including 170 by Irving.

Williams was 22 for 37 for 279 yards and two touchdowns in Chicago’s fourth straight win. Burden had seven catches for 97 yards before he was shelved by a concussion. Jeffery Simmons had a sack in his first home game since he was acquired in a trade with Tennessee.

The Buccaneers and Bears were the NFL’s top rushing teams going into the weekend, but there wasn’t much room to maneuver on the ground. The Bucs finished with 126 yards rushing, and the Bears had 72.

Chicago had a 17-13 lead when Williams threw his fourth interception of the night, a deflected ball that landed in the hands of Tampa Bay linebacker Alex Anzalone. The Buccaneers took over at the Bears 37 with 4:32 left in the third quarter.

One play later, Mayfield tried to throw the ball to Cade Otton, but Jaylon Johnson stepped in front of the tight end and returned the interception 67 yards for his second career pick-6. It was his first interception of the season.

Chicago got off to a fast start, scoring on its first two possessions. Williams passed to a wide-open Rome Odunze for a 9-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. Then Burden broke a couple of tackles while turning a third-and-8 reception into a 56-yard TD, making it 14-0 with 6:00 left in the first quarter.

But the next two possessions for the Bears ended with interceptions by Williams, and the Buccaneers rallied by scoring on each side of halftime. Chase McLaughlin kicked a 21-yard field goal on the final play of the first half, and Tez Johnson’s 58-yard catch set up Irving’s 2-yard TD early in the third.

Buccaneers: S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) departed in the second quarter with an ankle injury.

Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson had a hand injury. ... CB Kyler Gordon left with an unspecified injury, but he returned to the game.

Buccaneers: Bye week, and then a road game against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 22.

Bears: Bye week, and then a home game versus the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 22.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scores a two-point conversion against the Chicago Bears in the second half during an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the second half during an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond (14) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half during an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking a game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)