Broncos set one-score record as Bears win on last-second field goal

The Denver Broncos set an NFL record for consecutive regular-season victories in one-score games and the Chicago Bears won with the final kick as both teams improved to 7-2 in week nine. According to BBC Sport's Ben Collins, Denver's 26-21 victory at Carolina was its 16th straight success in games decided by one score, while Chicago defeated Tampa Bay 27-24.

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Denver scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Panthers before its defense sacked quarterback Bryce Young with just over a minute remaining. The result extended the Broncos' current winning streak to five games and left them top of the AFC West. They head into their bye week with both that divisional lead and the league record for their run of narrow regular-season victories.

Chicago's route to victory was more complicated than its early advantage suggested. Coming off a win against defending champions Seattle, the Bears moved 14-0 ahead of the Buccaneers. Quarterback Caleb Williams then threw a career-high four interceptions, and Tampa Bay pulled level with three minutes remaining. Williams nevertheless took Chicago into field-goal range, allowing Cairo Santos to convert from 38 yards as time expired.

The late kick secured the Bears' fourth consecutive victory before their own bye week. Chicago stood second in the NFC North after the game, but would move into first place if Minnesota lost to Buffalo on Monday. BBC Sport reported that the NFC North was the only division in which every team had a winning record.

Elsewhere, Cincinnati reached 6-2 by beating Atlanta 34-17 at Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium. Joe Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and was involved in four touchdowns, while Ja'Marr Chase finished with a season-high 155 receiving yards. The Bengals scored more than 30 points for a fourth consecutive game, matching a franchise record, and joined Pittsburgh at the top of the AFC North.

San Francisco remained ahead of those teams in the overall standings at 7-1 after a 38-17 victory over Las Vegas. Buffalo and Minnesota entered their Monday meeting with the winner set to match that record, provided the game did not finish in a tie.