Sean Payton threw the critical challenge flag just in time, based on new video

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton beat the buzzer with his challenge flag.

And it turned out to be a massive play in the Broncos 26-21 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

With 1:35 to go in the third quarter and Carolina beating Denver 14-13, they were trying to extend the lead. From the one-yard line, Panthers QB Bryce Young threw a pass toward tight end Tommy Tremble that was defended by Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad and appeared to fall incomplete.

Except, it didn’t.

Replays showed the football never hit the ground and Broncos safety Devon Key scooped it centimeters off the turf for a huge Denver interception that swung the game.

It took the Broncos a moment to realize what happened before Payton’s staff alerted him to challenge. The Panthers snapped the football, but not before Payton released his flag. The refs used assistance from New York to determine that was the case.

A grainy video has been making the rounds online questioning whether or not Sean Payton got it off on time, but a new angle should put that to bed.

For all those people complaining Sean Payton didn’t throw the challenge flag in time from that other grainy video… in this one he clearly did.

The refs got it right and there was no grand conspiracy to help the Broncos and hurt the Panthers 🤷🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/lGMlP5whvE

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) November 9, 2026

Clearly, a Panthers player is still in motion and the football has not been snapped when Sean Payton tosses the challenge flag.

It was a critical interception by Key, as the Broncos would go on to score two fourth quarter touchdowns and take a 26-14 lead. Carolina cut it to 26-21 before Nik Bonitto sealed the victory with a strip sack of Young in the final moments.

Panthers fans can complain all they want, but the NFL got it right.

And the 7-2 Broncos can sleep easy throughout their bye week as the triumph extended Denver’s winning streak to five games.

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