Bo Nix and Broncos Hold Off Bryce Young's Three-Touchdown Day in 26-21 Win at Carolina

The Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium. Bo Nix threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Bryce Young passed for 276 yards and three scores for Carolina, but the Panthers could not close a five-point gap.

The Denver Broncos left Charlotte with a 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The game stayed tight to the end. Bo Nix ran an efficient offense, and Denver's defense made enough stops to hold off a strong passing day from Bryce Young.

Carolina was in the game until the final whistle. Denver did just enough to edge out a close one on the road.

The decisive moment

Denver's biggest lead was five points, and it never let go of it. Carolina kept threatening to retake the lead. Each time, the Broncos' defense held, and Denver kept its slim cushion through the final possessions.

By the numbers

Bryce Young (CAR): 276 passing yards, 3 TD
Bo Nix (DEN): 237 passing yards, 2 TD
Darren Waller (CAR): 90 receiving yards, 1 TD
Jeremy Crawshaw (DEN): 161 yards
Final margin: 5 points

Young outgained Nix through the air and threw one more touchdown, but Denver scored more points overall. Waller was Young's most dependable target and turned his 90 yards into a touchdown.

Young's big day falls short

Young delivered one of his best passing performances, with three touchdowns against a Denver secondary that was missing players. The Panthers had chances to finish the comeback but could not get over the top.

Carolina was without edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, offensive lineman Jon Gaines II and guard Damien Lewis, all inactive. Those absences put more pressure on both lines of scrimmage.

Denver finds a way

Nix's two touchdown passes and his steady play kept Denver ahead, even on a day when the Panthers piled up yards. Crawshaw's 161 yards added to a balanced team effort.

The Broncos won without safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was out with an ankle injury. Defensive backs Kris Abrams-Draine and Brandon Jones were also inactive. Holding off a three-touchdown passer with a thinned secondary speaks to Denver's depth.

What it means

For Denver, it is a valuable road win in the 2026 NFL Regular Season, and the kind of close result that can matter in the standings later on. For Carolina, Young's production is encouraging, but a five-point loss at home is a missed chance to beat a quality opponent.

What to watch next

Denver will be watching Hufanga's ankle and whether he can return to strengthen the secondary. Carolina will want to see whether Young can keep up this level of play and whether its inactive starters return soon.