Denver Broncos Stock Report: 5 Up, 3 Down in Win over Carolina
Shoutout to the defense for having another great game, including Devon Key's game-changing interception and Nik Bonitto's brilliant sack.
Another week, another one-score game and win for the Denver Broncos.
That's 16 straight one-score wins for the new NFL record.
This week they went into Carolina along with thousands of residents of Broncos Country to beat the Panthers 26-21. It looked and felt more like a comfortable win — Denver jumped out to a 10-0 lead, and they led by 12 points with under six minutes to go — before it got sketchy and Nik Bonitto saved the game with a sack.
The Broncos offense has seen a resurgence and Bo Nix is playing better the last three weeks, though he misses out on making either list due to a mixed game with his red zone pick.
Here's your Denver Broncos stock report for Week 9 in the win over Carolina:
5 Up
1. Devon Key
Let's put some respect on the man's name.
Devon Key has been a valuable backup and special teams ace since he was drafted by the Broncos in 2023. He hasn't complained, just kept preparing and stayed ready to go. Last year he was named First-Team All-Pro for his brilliant special teams play, and he's been asked to start three times this year due to injuries to both of the Broncos starting safeties.
He had the play of the game on Sunday with his interception in the end zone.
"I felt confident in it [being a pick]," Key said after the game. "I just turned around, 'Let me get my hands on it.' And then uh, I was messing with [Darren] Waller telling him 'You know I caught that right?'"
He also had 4 total tackles in the game and 1 pass defended.
2. Nik Bonitto
Bonitto blasted around the edge to seal the game like Von Miller did in Super Bowl 50 against the Panthers. The only difference was Miller came from the left side of the line and he sacked former NFL MVP Cam Newton. Bonitto came from the right hand side and got to Bryce Young's passing arm and even scooped up the fumble to seal the victory.
Bonitto had 2 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 1 QB hit in the game.
3. Ja'Quan McMillian
McMillian is constantly making the argument that he's the best slot cornerback in the NFL today.
That continued on Sunday during a game when outside cornerback Riley Moss was knocked out due to a knee to the head on a tackle.
McMillian filled up the stat line with 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 2 TFLs. According to Denver Broncos PR he is now 3rd all-time among undrafted cornerbacks in sacks with 10 career QB takedowns.
The dude is a straight-up weapon, a great tackler, and he can blitz when Vance Joseph needs him to. McMillian currently has 3.0 sacks, 7 passes defended and 1 interception; he's on pace to set career-highs in all three categories.
4. Evan Engram
Engram made an appearance in Carolina, another sign the Broncos offense is getting back to healthy.
He had 4 catches for 33 yards including a 19-yard reception.
Engram playing well only benefits the group as a whole because it gives them one more weapon.
Will Denver trade for a tight end by the deadline today? Or are they happy with what Engram gives them?
5. Pat Bryant
Welcome back, Pat Bryant.
Bryant missed four weeks with his ankle injury but returned to the field in a big way on Sunday. He had 4 receptions for 56 yards including the team's final touchdown of the day.
Bryant is a major piece of the offense. He not only has sure hands but he's probably the team's best blocking receiver. "No block, no rock" as he said on draft day last year, and he continues to live up to that motto.
Rich Kurtzman
3 Down
1. Alex Singleton
The reigning Defensive Player of the Month missed a game-high 5 tackles on the day. Missing tackles have been an issue for him all year long even if he does lead the NFL in total tackles. It seems that's just the reality for a guy asked to do so much in the middle of the defense.
2. J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins actually had his best game of the year in terms of yards per carry at 4.5, but he only got four total carries on the day. He's fading into the background as Jonah Coleman has surged. However, as he told Mike Klis a few weeks ago in his publicized argument with cameras on him, if Sean Payton is using him this way on purpose it's insurance to keep him healthy for a playoff push.
Or, could the Broncos package Dobbins and picks for Jonathan Taylor in the next few hours?
3. Jahdae Barron
The second year cornerback allowed 7 of 10 passes thrown on him to be completed. He also missed two tackles. The Panthers went after him all day and had great success. Barron gave up a 122.5 passer rating when targeted, which is crazy.
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Rich Kurtzman was born and raised in Denver Colorado and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins in the aughts. He's been a professional writer since 2011, covering Colorado State football and men's basketball, as well as the Denver Broncos, for many outlets. Current Denver Broncos work can be found on Mile High Sports. Previous credits include CBS Denver and The USA TODAY Sports Media Group.
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