The Broncos are walking into Carolina with momentum, but the Panthers have made a habit of ruining clean scripts. Denver just grabbed sole possession of the AFC West lead after a big divisional win, and NextGenStats gives the Broncos a 64% chance to win the division. Still, this is not the kind of matchup Denver can treat lightly.
That’s especially true with Sunday lining up as a spot where a few explosive plays could swing everything. If the Broncos cash in on the kinds of advantages they have on paper, they should be in good shape heading into their bye week.
Jaylen Waddle has a matchup that looks favorable no matter where he lines up. Carolina has done a solid job of limiting explosive pass plays, but there are still openings for him to attack. His after-the-catch ability is the key here: one short catch can turn into a gain of more than 30 yards, and he can tack on another chunk play with a deep shot.
Rookie running back Treyveon Coleman is another name to watch. He has only played in four games and has touched the ball in three of them, but his season has followed the same pattern as one of his runs - the momentum builds as he goes. He went over 100 scrimmage yards against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, and now he’s set up to top 100 rushing yards against a run defense that has been getting worse each week.
The pressure numbers tilt heavily toward Denver, and that’s where this game can start to break open. Bryce Young has the fifth-highest pressure rate in the NFL even though he has been blitzed at the 12th-lowest rate. The Broncos, meanwhile, are generating the fourth-highest pressure rate while blitzing at the ninth-highest rate.
Even more telling, Denver owns the third-highest pressure rate without blitzing, and that number is actually better than its pressure rate when it does send extra rushers. In other words, the Broncos have enough up front to get home with four against a Panthers offensive line that has been struggling.
That’s why Denver doesn’t need to get exotic to make Young uncomfortable. The Broncos can get to him four times without blitzing more than 25% of the time.
Turnovers could follow. Carolina has protected the ball reasonably well with 10 giveaways, tied for the 16th-fewest, while Denver is tied for the 12th-most takeaways with 10.
With the edge in the trenches and Young’s problems under pressure, the Broncos should have chances to force mistakes. Three takeaways feels like a real possibility, especially if Talanoa Hufanga plays.
Special teams could also tilt the field. Carolina’s unit hasn’t been strong, while Darren Rizzi has Denver’s third phase playing at one of the best levels in the league. That opens the door for a game-changing special teams moment, whether it comes on a blocked field goal or a punt.
The Broncos are playing well across the board, and if that carries over, they can land a big special teams swing and leave Carolina with another win.
In Other News...
Broncos Face Early Roster Pressure Around J.K. Dobbins And Secondary
The Broncos are still sorting through some early-season roster pressure, but Sean Payton made it clear J.K. Dobbins remains part of what Denver wants to do on offense. With the backfield still taking shape, the message from the head coach was less about uncertainty and more about keeping Dobbins in the center of the plan as the Broncos continue to define their rotation.
There is also a defensive layer to the conversation, and Patrick Surtain II added his own voice to it by pushing for JaQuan McMillans future to be handled sooner rather than later. For a team that values continuity in the secondary, the timing matters, and Surtains comments only sharpen the question of how Denver wants to manage one of its key pieces before free agency gets closer. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Just Put A Spotlight On Denvers Biggest Edge Up Front
Garett Bolles has quietly become one of the Broncos most valuable pieces up front, and Sean Payton made sure that didnt stay quiet for long. The veteran left tackle has been grading out as one of the leagues better players at his position this season, and his work in pass protection has given Denver a stability it can build around as Bo Nix settles into the offense.
Paytons praise also comes at a useful time, with the Broncos heading into a matchup against Carolina and the NFL trade deadline approaching. Any talk about possible offensive line movement now has to start with the reality that Denver already has a proven anchor on the edge, one whose presence changes how defenses can attack the pocket. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Secondary Faces A Real Test With Denver Suddenly Shorthanded
The Broncos secondary is about to be tested in a different way against Carolina, with Denver heading into the game without both of its starting safeties. Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones are both inactive, leaving the back end thinner than usual and pushing the Broncos into a spot where depth matters fast.
That opens the door for third-round pick Tyler Onyedim to make his regular-season debut as a backup safety, a notable moment for a defense that has had to manage its share of lineup shuffling already. The full inactive list adds more context to a short-handed afternoon, and it only sharpens the focus on how Denver handles the middle of the field without two of its usual anchors. [Read more 🡒]