Here’s a look at whose stock improved or declined after Broncos’ 28-14 win over Panthers Sunday.

Supply

Offense in the red zone: Broncos kicker Wil Lutz didn’t attempt a field goal — and that was a good thing. Denver has scored four touchdowns in five trips to the red zone. Quarterback Bo Nix accounted for every touchdown, throwing for three and scoring on a keeper in the second quarter. Denver went 6-for-8 in the red zone over the past two games after going 1-for-3 in those situations against him. Chargers in week 6.

Playoff Hopes: Through eight weeks, the Broncos are in the playoff picture. Who would have thought that in training camp or when the team fell to 0-2 to start the year? But that’s the reality Denver lives in today. At 5-3, the Broncos are the fifth seed and hold the top wild-card spot. They have a 65 percent chance of making the postseason, according to NFL.com. The next three weeks will be a major test for the Broncos. They have back-to-back road matchups against the Ravens and Chiefs before returning home to face the Falcons.

Intermediate passing game: Nix was aggressive but efficient when it came to throwing the ball down the court. He was 6-for-10 for 138 yards with a 104.2 passer rating on intermediate throws (passes 10-19 yards downfield) against the Panthers, according to Next Gen Stats. For the most part, Nix has been successful in the short game and on screens, but has been inconsistent whenever asked to throw off the line of scrimmage. Before Sunday, Nix had 285 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on intermediate throws. Even though Nix was eighth in attempts (50), he had the worst completion percentage (32.0%) and was 30th in passer percentage (47.5).

CB Bed Surtain II: A cornerback hasn’t won the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year since Stephon Gilmore in 2019. Surtain is trying to change that. The 24-year-old recorded his third interception of the season during the third quarter when Panthers quarterback Bryce Young missed his intended target and the ball fell into Surtain’s hands. He is one interception away from tying his career-best of four in a season. Surtain has given up 12 catches for 114 receiving yards on 18 targets in seven games.

Stock down

Ball safety: Denver’s turnovers may have taken some of the joy out of their fifth win of the season. The Broncos fumbled the ball twice against the Panthers and head coach Sean Payton was not happy. Wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey fumbled the ball near midfield on Denver’s first drive. In the fourth quarter, Courtland Sutton lost the ball while trying to cross the goal line and spoiled the team’s chance to increase the score. Denver has fumbled in three straight games and is tied with the Raiders for the most fumbles (seven). The Broncos are tied for fifth in turnovers with 12. Denver needs to improve its ball security if it wants to be considered a legitimate playoff contender.

CB Riley Moss: Young only threw to Surtain twice, so Moss got the bulk of the targets Sunday. Denver’s second-year corner was targeted eight times, allowing seven catches for 94 yards, one touchdown and a 155.2 passer rating. Moss’ production has dipped in recent weeks, giving up 17 catches for 235 yards over the past three games.