Panthers Comeback Falls Short as Losing Streak Hits Three Games

The Carolina Panthers are in a critical spot of their season, fighting for the NFC South division. But in Week 9, they couldn't take advantage of an earlier loss by the Atlanta Falcons. 

Carolina rallied at home against Denver, taking the lead in the second half but watching the Broncos score two straight touchdowns and leave Charlotte with a 26-21 lead. Despite trailing late, the Panthers had a chance to take the lead, getting into Denver territory before Bryce Young fumbled on a sack, which ended the game.  

Denver jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead, getting a field goal from Will Lutz and then a Courtland Sutton touchdown pass from Bo Nix in the first quarter. Their offense was moving the ball and it looked like it was going to be a long day for the Panthers' defense. 

But then they got some stops which allowed the offense to get right back into it. 

Tommy Tremble caught a touchdown pass from Young in the second quarter to cut the lead to 10-7 with under two minutes left. Denver did get a field goal from Lutz late in the half to take a 13-7 lead at halftime. 

Then Carolina found a way to make it interesting.

Young hit Darren Waller on a 15-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to give the Panthers the 14-13 lead. They looked to extend the lead later on and one of the weirdest plays to happen so far in the NFL hit the Panthers. 

Facing first and goal from the Denver one-yard line, Young looked Tremble's way again but it was tight coverage from Justin Strnad, and then a weird tip made it look like the ball was incomplete.  But a late challenge flag from the Broncos turned into a review and the play was overturned to an interception.

Carolina didn't get any points to extend the lead and instead, Denver took advantage. 

The Broncos marched down the field as Jonah Coleman found the end zone from nine-yards out to give the Broncos the lead. They added to that lead with a Pat Bryant touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

After Young found Tetairoa McMillan for a touchdown, the Panthers got a stop but the drive ended with the quarterback's strip-sack fumble 

Young finished the game 28-of-39 for 276 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, which ended up being the criticial one. It's a tough loss for Carolina who is now 3-5 on the year. The Panthers head to New Orleans next week to face the Saints who beat Cleveland and are also 3-5 in the division.