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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
An Unlikely Star Surpasses an NFL Giant
The Denver Broncos have set a new NFL record for consecutive one-score victories with quarterback Bo Nix at the helm. Their 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday marked their 16th straight such win, breaking the previous record held by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs from the 2023-24 seasons. This feat, unprecedented since at least 1950, demonstrates Denver’s consistency in high-pressure, closely contested matchups.
Broncos Rally Again for Record-Breaking Win
The Week 9 victory showcased a familiar pattern for the Broncos under Nix's leadership. After trailing during the first three quarters—stumbling at times and showing discomfort—Denver surged in the final period. In the last 15 minutes, Bo Nix delivered crucial plays, including two scoring drives. His 26-yard touchdown pass to Pat Bryant with 5:41 remaining gave Denver the lead it would not relinquish. The win pushed the Broncos' season record to 7-2 and extended their current win streak to five games.
Fourth-Quarter Prowess Defines Nix’s Reputation
While Nix's performance wasn’t spotless—throwing an interception and losing a fumble that did not result in a turnover—his ability in the fourth quarter was pivotal. He finished the game with 237 passing yards and two touchdowns. On third downs, he completed six of seven passes for 72 yards and a score. Sunday’s victory included his 13th career fourth-quarter comeback, matching Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Steve Young.
“It seems like it’s always the same feeling,” Nix said. “There’s always a look in the huddle like, ‘Hey, guys, we don’t have a choice right here, and we gotta go make something out of it.’ Today, those second-half touchdowns were really, really important.”
Growing Expectations and Persistent Doubts
Nix began this season with elevated expectations following five fourth-quarter comebacks and seven game-winning drives last year, helping Denver reach the AFC championship game, which he missed due to an ankle injury. Despite some high-profile criticisms—such as commentary from Amazon analyst and former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick after a lackluster overtime win against Seattle—Nix has retained the support of coach Sean Payton. Payton noted the team’s streak was “a few of them that you would say shouldn’t have been one-score games,” but added that there’s “still work to do.”
Nix’s season featured a five-game streak without an interception until the game against Carolina. Even with some inconsistencies, Denver benefited from his late-game performances and clutch decision-making.
Battling Inconsistency and Looking to the Future
Despite their success in close games, the Broncos have faced challenges with offensive rhythm. Denver has been outgained by opponents by 658 yards this season before Sunday, ranking third-worst in the NFL, and Carolina outgained them by 41 more yards. Such shortcomings led Payton to resume play-calling duties last month.
Whether this formula of escaping close calls will hold up in the postseason remains to be seen. Nix, meanwhile, is focused on improvement: “At 7-2, we feel really confident. But at the same time, there’s a lot of things we can get better at.”
Conclusion
Bo Nix’s historic mark for consecutive close wins as a starting quarterback highlights his ability to guide the Broncos through tense situations. As Denver pushes deeper into the NFL season, questions remain about whether their fourth-quarter heroics will translate into postseason success, but the record they now hold is a testament to Nix’s leadership and resilience.
Source: nbcnews.com.
