'It says a lot about the guys in this locker room': Broncos prove resilient in road win over Carolina

[Miles]

For the first three quarters, the secondary stood strong. The Broncos allowed just 122 yards through the air, with defensive backs Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons making key contributions in the run game, as well.


But in the fourth quarter, as the Panthers pressed harder to make up 15-point deficit, Denver struggled to keep Carolina from scoring. In the final frame alone, the Panthers racked up 156 net yards, including 123 through the air, and found the end zone twice.


That could have been three times — and four total fourth-quarter scores — if things didn't go well on the final drive. Carolina got the ball back with 2:48 left in the game — plenty of time for a veteran passer like Teddy Bridgewater and an explosive receiver like Robby Anderson.


Denver's defense had bent before, but it would not bend at that moment.


"It's about all 11 of us communicating and executing," Jackson said. "[I was] just telling the guys, 'We get a stop here, we're going to win the game.' Just encouraging the guys to give it all they had on that last drive. All 11 of us dug deep and we executed, and we were able to get a stop. It was huge for our defense. I wanted guys to continue to fight and play with that intensity and drive to get a stop."


The defense held strong, recording a sack and forcing an incompletion before De'Vante Bausby delivered the decisive blow, pulling down receiver Curtis Samuel for just a 1-yard gain on fourth-and-8.


"We found a way to get them stopped with a four-and-out there at the end of the game which is critical — hard to do," Fangio said. "That's kind of the team we have. We're a resilient group, we'll keep fighting even when it's not looking good, and I'm proud of the guys."


That Bausby — who has been cut multiple times in the NFL but has consistently come back to make plays — was the hero was evidence of that.


"Each man in that locker room knows that regardless of what position you play, your opportunity could be in front of you in seconds," Jackson said. "We have to go out and prepare every day, and each and every man has to hold himself accountable. As a team, we have to hold others accountable. Go out and prepare like you're going to be the guy that's playing. For guys to step in play the way they did today, it says a lot about the guys in this locker room being fighters."


As it turns out, the misfortunes that have plagued the Broncos since the season began have forged a steely fortitude that is belied by their 5-8 record.


"We don't like our record any more than anybody else does, but this is a great group of guys," Fangio said. "There's been a lot to overcome with the injuries starting from the first week of the season, all the way up to now — we lost a few more guys today. We'll keep battling, we'll keep dealing with it, and make the best of it."