The Broncos defense is looking for consistency after two interceptions against the Panthers

DENVER – After falling behind early, the Broncos defense delivered.

Denver turned the ball over early and Carolina took advantage with a touchdown on the team's first offensive possession. However, the Broncos defense quickly adjusted and delivered a near-standstill performance, highlighted by two second-half interceptions that contributed to the win. In a stretch of nine drives, Denver's defense forced five punts, recorded two turnovers on downs and had two interceptions.

After Carolina's first score, the Panthers recorded one first down and 27 net yards on the next six possessions.

This performance allowed the Broncos offense to score 28 unanswered points, enough to put the game out of reach and give Denver an important second home win.

“It feels good,” cornerback Pat Surtain II said after Sunday’s 28-14 win. “It always feels good to get a win. Especially in this way.”

Sunday's game marked Surtain's return from injury, and he quickly showed he hasn't missed a beat, intercepting quarterback Bryce Young late in the third quarter to give the Broncos their first takeaway of the day. The interception was Surtain's third of the season, the other two coming during a Week 5 win over the Raiders in his last complete game.

“It was one of those that made my eyes go wide, and wherever it landed, I had to make sure I capitalized on it,” he said.

Denver's second turnover came midway through the fourth quarter when cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian made an impressive play and recorded his first interception of the season. Surtain, who described the game as “unbelievable,” noted that the turnovers paint a positive picture for Denver's defense as the unit continues to gain momentum this season.

“Together as a unit we can see that we are built on communication,” Surtain said after Sunday’s win. “All 11 (players) are focused on the ball, and that has brought success and generated turnovers.”

The performance from Denver's secondary was just one of Denver's defensive highlights, as outside linebacker duo Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto continued their fight to lead the team in sacks, adding one more each to their season totals on Sunday. Bonitto's fourth-quarter sack extended his winning streak this season, and his six consecutive games with a full sack now represent the third-longest winning streak in franchise history. Bonitto's playing time with at least one sack is the longest active streak in the NFL.