Sports · American Football · 15 hrs ago
Broncos' replay challenge turns incomplete pass into key interception
Denver beat Carolina 26-21 in an NFL game at Bank of America Stadium.
Late in the third quarter, a pass intended for Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble was ruled incomplete, but Broncos coach Sean Payton challenged the call.
The review awarded Denver an interception after safety Devon Key caught the ball before it hit the ground.
The NFL also used replay to check that Payton threw his challenge flag before Carolina snapped the ball on its next play.
Carolina led 14-13 when the call changed, but Denver outscored the Panthers 13-8 the rest of the way.
The win extended Denver’s NFL-record run to 16 straight victories in one-score games.
The NFL said replay officials may help confirm whether a coach properly started a challenge, though the rulebook does not list this situation specifically.
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton’s replay challenge turned an incomplete pass into an interception in a 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The play came with 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the third quarter, when Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble tipped a pass and Broncos safety Devon Key caught the ball before it hit the ground.
The play was initially ruled incomplete, and the Panthers ran another play before officials allowed Payton’s challenge.
The NFL used replay angles to confirm that Payton’s challenge flag was out before the next snap.
Denver trailed 14-13 at the time and outscored Carolina 13-8 for the rest of the game.
- Who
- The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. Broncos coach Sean Payton challenged the ruling, and safety Devon Key made the interception.
- What
- A replay challenge changed an incomplete pass into an interception, helping Denver win 26-21.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026, late in the third quarter.
- Where
- Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Why
- Payton challenged the incomplete-pass ruling because he believed the ball had been caught before it hit the ground. Replay also confirmed his flag was thrown before the next snap.
Carolina Panthers
Denver Broncos and NFL officials
Challenge ruling
Carolina Panthers
Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble said it was confusing that officials could go back to the play after Carolina had run another play.
Denver Broncos and NFL officials
The NFL said replay angles showed Payton’s challenge flag was out before the next snap, so the challenge was permitted.
Result of the play
Carolina Panthers
Carolina had led 14-13 and was attempting a first-and-goal play from Denver’s 1-yard line.
Denver Broncos and NFL officials
Denver’s challenge changed the ruling to an interception by Devon Key.
The Panthers faced first-and-goal at Denver’s 1-yard line, and Bryce Young’s pass to Tommy Tremble was initially ruled incomplete.
Carolina ran another play, with Chuba Hubbard stopped for no gain.
Referee Alan Eck announced that Payton had thrown his challenge flag before the next snap.
Officials ruled the play an interception by Devon Key, and Denver won 26-21.
- Final score
- Broncos 26, Panthers 21
- Challenge time
- 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the third quarter
- Score before the challenge
- Panthers led 14-13
- Interception
- Broncos safety Devon Key
- Venue
- Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Consecutive one-score wins
- 16 for Denver
2 sources
What people are saying
Replay can get involved to make sure that the head coach throws his challenge flag prior to the next snap
I didn't know after we ran another play that they could go back for it
I just gave Evan a game ball
We never flinch when those situations are upon us
Posts on X
In pool report, VP of instant replay Mark Butterworth said the replay office confirmed Sean Payton threw challenge flag because the next play occurred.