The Broncos lead the Panthers 13-7 at halftime.

They could lead by more if not for Corey Thornton’s red-zone interception of Bo Nix in the second quarter. The Panthers were at the Carolina 19 when Nix tried to hit Courtland Sutton.

Denver went 47 yards in nine plays on its opening drive. The Broncos had first-and-goal from the 4 before a 1-yard run, an incompletion, a false start and an incompletion. They settled for Wil Lutz’s chip-shot 26-yard field goal.

The Broncos reached the end zone on their second possession, a 10-play, 81-yard drive that ended with Nix’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Sutton.

They ended the half with Lutz’s 48-yard field goal, which was set up by Ryan Fitzgerald’s kickoff out of bounds.

The Panthers could be even closer if not for Fitzgerald’s miss on a 43-yard field goal.

The Broncos have outgained the Panthers 159 to 148, with Nix going 15-of-23 for 125 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Evan Engram has three catches for 29 yards and J.K. Dobbins has three carries for 15 yards.

Bryce Young is 11-for-16 for 97 yards and a touchdown, a 10-yard throw to Tommy Tremble. Darren Waller has four catches for 39 yards and Chuba Hubbard has eight carries for 47 yards.

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss took a knee to the head from Trevor Etienne with 5:38 remaining in the second quarter. He appeared to have a fencing response, but walked under his own power to the training room to be evaluated for a concussion.

Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is also being evaluated for a concussion.