The Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos both secured narrow victories during Week 9 of the NFL season to improve their respective records to 7-2. While the Bears overcame significant mistakes to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Broncos set a league record by winning a tight contest against the Carolina Panthers.

How did the Broncos make history?

The Denver Broncos established a new NFL record by securing their 16th consecutive victory in games decided by a single score. This streak, which surpassed the previous mark held by the 2008-09 Indianapolis Colts, was extended on Sunday with a 26-21 road win over the Panthers.

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Defensive player Nik Bonitto helped seal the win by stripping the ball from Panthers quarterback Bryce Young late in the fourth quarter. The Broncos' ability to manage close games has become a hallmark of their season, characterized by what players describe as a specific "football character" within the organization.

A chaotic night for the Bears

In a primetime matchup, the Chicago Bears narrowly defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 despite a highly inconsistent performance. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams struggled with ball security, throwing a career-high four interceptions during the game.

The Bears initially surged to a 14-0 lead, but the Buccaneers rallied to tie the game at 24-24 with less than three minutes remaining. The game was ultimately decided by a walk-off 38-yard field goal from Cairo Santos after a late completion to Colston Loveland.

Other notable Week 9 highlights

  • Cincinnati Bengals: Won 34-17 against the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, marking the fourth consecutive game in which the franchise scored at least 30 points.
  • Green Bay Packers: Secured a high-scoring 45-27 victory over the New England Patriots.
  • San Francisco 49ers: Maintained the league's best record following their win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

FAQ

What is a one-score game?

A one-score game is a matchup where the margin between the winning and losing team is eight points or fewer.

Where did the Bengals play their Week 9 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals played their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.