Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard wasn't happy with the controversial officiating decision that helped swing their loss to the Denver Broncos, but he made it clear he wouldn't risk a fine by saying too much.
And based on the footage that came out afterward from the stands, he was right to show restraint.
With Carolina leading late in the third quarter, the Panthers appeared to be just one yard away from extending their lead. Instead, an overturned interception gave Denver the ball back and left players questioning how officials handled the sequence.
Chuba Hubbard's complaint doesn't wash after Carolina Panthers fan footage
Hubbard was particularly frustrated that the Panthers had already run another offensive play before officials stopped the game to review the previous one.
"The fact that we got another play off and ran it, I'm not trying to get fined so I'm just going to keep my words to myself," Hubbard said after the game.
Considering how the entire sequence unfolded, it's pretty easy to understand his frustration.
But there is now video evidence that Broncos head coach Sean Payton threw the flag before the next play managed to get off.
Maybe one of the better angles of the challenge flag timing. Taken from my seats @mike_e_kaye pic.twitter.com/w82VCugCmD
— Drew Dunn (@DunnDrew) November 9, 2026
The play happened with Carolina facing first-and-goal from Denver's one-yard line.
Bryce Young attempted a pass to tight end Tommy Tremble in the end zone, but Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad made contact with Tremble as the ball arrived. The pass bounced off Tremble before Denver safety Devon Key grabbed it.
Officials initially ruled the pass incomplete, allowing Carolina to line up for second down.
Young then handed the ball to Hubbard, who was stopped for no gain. But after the Panthers had already completed that play, officials announced that Payton had challenged the previous incompletion.
After review, officials determined the ball never touched the ground before Key secured it, giving Denver an interception and a touchback.
Naturally, Carolina wasn't thrilled. But Payton did throw the flag just in time.
The Panthers believed they had already gotten another play off, which should have prevented Denver from challenging the previous ruling. Tremble was also upset about the contact from Strnad, which he believed should have resulted in defensive pass interference.
Now, the controversial ruling wasn't Carolina's only problem.
The Panthers committed 13 penalties for 119 yards, and Young lost a fumble on a late strip sack by Nik Bonitto with Carolina threatening to take the lead.
Young otherwise had a productive afternoon, completing 28 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. But those mistakes, combined with the overturned interception, proved too much to overcome.
The loss dropped Carolina to 3-5 and extended its losing streak to three games.
For Hubbard and the Panthers, the frustration is understandable. They were one yard away from potentially taking an eight-point lead, only to watch an unusual officiating sequence completely change the game.
But the Panthers need to move on. They have their fair share of other problems to fix if they want to contend for the NFC South.
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