The Denver Broncos took care of business at home in Sunday’s home matchup against the Carolina Panthers, improving to 5-3 on the season with a 28-14 win. Bo Nix turned in his most efficient game yet as a pro.
Denver Broncos rattle Panthers behind Bo Nix’s four touchdown game
The Denver Broncos got off to a slow start for the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. After Lil’Jordan Humphrey fumbled on his first catch of the game, Denver’s defense surrendered a touchdown to Bryce Young and the Panthers offense and went down 7-0 in the first quarter.
After pinning the Panthers offense at the one-yard line, Denver locked in. Bo Nix was dealing in the first half, leading the Broncos offense to three consecutive touchdown drives, finding Nate Adkins and Adam Trautman, and scoring himself on a Drew Brees-sneak.
Third down has been a struggle for Denver’s offense all season, but Sunday’s game was a drastic difference, especially in the first half — the Broncos offense was a scorching 7-of-8 on third down.
Nix finished the game 28-of-34 passing for 284 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown. Outside of his efficient performance, there were several big plays downfield that were dropped that could have added to his total and will certainly account for his league-leading missed yards due to drops.
Nix became the first Broncos rookie in franchise history to lead the team to five wins and lead Denver to its best start since 2016.
Tight ends eat for free on National Tight End Day as trade deadline approaches
On National Tight End Day, the Broncos tight end group consisting of Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins ate for free. Trautman turned back the clock with his best performance as a Bronco yet, hauling in four catches for 85 yards and a one-handed touchdown.)
Adkins caught his first career touchdown on a sprint-out pass by Nix in the second quarter. As the NFL Trade Deadline approaches, much of the conversation surrounding the Broncos’ offense and the boost they’ve been looking for has been relative to the tight end market.
All signs point to the Broncos standing pat and not being active at the deadline while they focus their efforts on building with what and who they have.
Denver Broncos defense continues strong start to the season
The Carolina Panthers were one of the NFL’s worst offenses coming into Sunday’s matchup, and outside of a first-quarter mirage, the Broncos’ defense brought them back to reality shortly after.
Plugging the run and stopping the pass, the Broncos held the Panthers to 98 total net yards of offense in the first half and 2-of-6 on third down.
Jonathon Cooper took the lead as the Broncos’ leading sack artist on the season, with his lone sack of the game giving him 5.5 on the year, but it was short-lived after Nik Bonitto notched a sack for his sixth straight game, bringing him to 6.0 on the year.
Patrick Surtain II’s return saw him snag his third interception of the season, grabbing fellow Alabama Crimson Tide alumni Bryce Young’s pass for a 28-yard return.
Ja’Quan McMillian came up with his first interception of the season, snagging a slot fade from Young in the fourth quarter, helping Denver’s defense continue to roll en route to holding the Panthers to 5-of-14 on third down.
Denver’s defense surrendered a late garbage-time touchdown, making it appear closer than it really was.
The Broncos improved to 5-3 on the season and will now face the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs back-to-back for a two-game road trip.
