The Panthers are walking into Week 9 with little momentum and even less outside belief. After getting crushed by two defenses that exposed Carolina’s pass protection, they now draw a Broncos team that has plenty of pickers expecting another rough afternoon.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, who had backed Carolina to lose in every game until picking them over the Buccaneers, has flipped right back. He sees Denver taking this one 26-20.
“The Panthers have been beat up the past two games, leading to the firing of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. They are reeling on defense.
The Broncos won a tough one last week against the Chiefs thanks to late-game magic by Bo Nix. This time, it’s a lot easier against a bad Panthers defense and struggling offensive line,” he wrote.
Prisco’s CBS colleague John Breech is a little closer to Carolina, but not enough to call it an outright win. He has the Panthers losing by one, which would still mean they cover. Mike Spector of Sportsbook Review goes a step further, saying Carolina can cover and might even win the game.
“Denver is fortunate to be sitting at 6-2, as it has been outgained by 221-plus yards twice (and is 1-1 in those games), while going 2-0 in games it has also been outgained by 105 and 187 yards,” he wrote. “This comes with risk, as the Broncos have tied an NFL record with 15 straight regular-season wins decided by one score. But I’m hoping for an even narrower Broncos win or a double-digit Panthers win.”
Not everyone is leaving the door open for Carolina. Erich Richter of The New York Post expects Denver to handle this comfortably.
“The Broncos are rated No. 8 in defensive DVOA and they’re allowing just 4.9 yards per play in their last three games, eighth best in the NFL,” he said. “The Panthers are 18th in total DVOA and I think they’re even worse on the field than that ranking suggest. Target the Broncos to win this one big.”
Bill Bender of Sporting News has it 28-20 Broncos, and he sees a chance for Denver to keep rolling after the comeback against Kansas City.
“Is this a trap spot for the Broncos after the comeback victory against Kansas City? It’s a chance to turn up the heat on Carolina quarterback Bryce Young.
Denver has 23 sacks, and running back Jonah Coleman is becoming a factor in the running game. The Broncos will extend their winning streak to five games.”
His Sporting News colleague Vinnie Iyer also flags the trap-game possibility, but still lands on a double-digit Denver win because the Broncos have found their ground game “just in time” to keep “pounding on the Panthers.”
That’s the theme across the board: even with Denver coming off an emotional high and traveling across multiple time zones, the Panthers still aren’t earning much trust. And given the way Carolina has looked lately, it’s not hard to see why.
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 🡒]