The Carolina Panthers are trying to stop the slide at 3-4, and the timing could hardly be worse. After opening 3-2, they’ve dropped two straight in frustrating fashion on offense, and now the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos are coming to town with Carolina listed as the underdog.
That setup leaves little room for optimism, but there are still a few reasons to think the Panthers can keep this one from getting away from them.
Start with Bryce Young and the pass protection in front of him. Young has been sacked 11 times over the last two games, and that kind of punishment is hard to repeat without something changing.
The offensive line has been shaky enough that even two sacks would almost feel like progress, but the Panthers may have a few things working in their favor. Young’s knee should be healthier, which should help him move around and avoid pressure the way he did earlier in the season.
Brad Idzik also should have enough information now to adjust the play-calling and help cover for a line that has struggled to hold up. Between Young’s health, a better plan, and a line that should be better than it has been, the pressure should come back closer to normal.
Carolina’s defense also has a chance to make life difficult for Bo Nix, especially if the Broncos keep leaning on what they’ve shown so far. Denver has struggled to throw the ball down the field, and the Panthers’ secondary, even with some uncertainty on the depth chart, looks like a favorable matchup.
Marco Wilson was solid in his debut, and Carolina should get Jaelan Phillips back. Nix hasn’t really challenged defenses deep all season, and there’s no reason to expect that to suddenly change here.
That gives the Panthers a real path to making Denver work for everything underneath.
Then there’s Tetairoa McMillan, who could be in for a better outing than the one he had against the Cleveland Browns. There’s a natural expectation that Pat Surtain will spend plenty of time on him, just as Cleveland used its top corner and pressure to slow him down.
Denver could try the same thing, but the Panthers should have a better answer this time. The game plan ought to be cleaner, and with Jalen Coker healthy, the Broncos won’t be able to shade Surtain toward McMillan on every snap.
That should give McMillan enough room to bounce back.
In Other News...
Derrick Brown Is Suddenly Tied To A Massive Panthers Trade Idea
A new trade idea has put Derrick Brown in the middle of an unexpected three-team conversation, with the Jaguars, Eagles and Panthers all mentioned as possible pieces in a larger 2026 draft-pick shuffle. Jacksonvilles fast start has only added fuel to the speculation, since a 5-2 record has the Jaguars looking more like a team that could chase a Super Bowl run than one interested in standing pat.
For Carolina, Browns name being tied to a deal of that magnitude is the kind of development that naturally gets attention, even if it is still just an idea at this stage. The framework being floated would also involve Jalen Carter, who recently signed a four-year extension in Philadelphia and has been a major force on defense this season, which is why this rumor has enough star power to linger even before any actual movement happens. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Secondary Could Get A Needed Boost From Mike Jackson Soon
The Panthers could be getting a timely lift in the secondary soon, with Mike Jackson saying he expects to be back from his groin injury in the next couple of weeks. Jackson ruled himself out for the upcoming game against the Denver Broncos, but left open the possibility of returning the following week, which would give Carolina a much-needed reinforcement as it navigates the stretch ahead.
Jackson also spoke about his foundations upcoming Thanksgiving food giveaway in Charlotte, adding a community note to a week that has centered on his recovery. For the Panthers, the bigger takeaway is simple: a veteran corner who has been sidelined is at least pointing toward a return, and that kind of help can matter quickly in a secondary that has had to manage without him. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Face A Tough Robert Hunt Decision
Robert Hunts future in Carolina has suddenly become a talking point, and not just because of his hefty cap number. ESPNs Mike Kaye reported the Panthers could explore a trade before the 2026 deadline if Hunts recent play does not rebound, a notable shift for a player who was brought in to stabilize the interior of the offensive line. With Brady Christensen working his way back from injury, the Panthers at least have another option to consider at right guard if they decide the current setup is no longer the best use of resources.
The complication is that Carolina is dealing with its own injury uncertainty, which makes any move harder to sort out in real time. Hunts absence or reduced role would not just be a financial decision, it would affect how the Panthers piece together the line week to week, especially if Christensen is still easing back into the mix. For a team trying to keep its protection intact, this is the kind of call that can linger for months before it finally comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]