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Diontae Spencer set the tone early for the Denver Broncos in their 32-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers when we took a first quarter punt 83-yards for the touchdown for the game’s first score. It was the seventh longest punt return in Broncos history and the third longest in the NFL this season.
What gets me most about Diontae Spencer's touchdown is how he schools both the Panthers' gunners. pic.twitter.com/SNbBoAUTVS
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) December 16, 2020
It was the third Special Teams Player of the Week awarded to a Broncos player this year. Spencer joined Brandon McManus who won the award in Weeks 4 and 5. He is the first returner since Trindon Holiday won the award in Week 2 of 2013.
Spencer joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and spent several seasons in the Canadian Football League before rejoining an NFL roster in 2019. On the season, Spencer has returned 10 punts for 175 yards for a 17.5-yard average that ranks second in the NFL. The score was his first at the NFL level.
Longest Punt Returns in Broncos History
| Player | Opponent | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Player | Opponent | Length |
| Darrien Gordon | vs. Rams (9/14/97) | 94t |
| Rick Upchurch | vs. Chargers (10/3/76) | 92t |
| Eric Decker | vs. Raiders (9/12/11) | 90t |
| Rick Upchurch | vs. Steelers (11/6/77) | 87t |
| Deltha O'Neal | at Seahawks (10/14/01) | 86t |
| Eddie Royal | at Chargers (11/6/11) | 85t |
| Diontae Spencer | at Panthers (12/13/20) | 83t |
| Omar Bolden | at Colts (11/8/15) | 83t |