The Denver Broncos visit the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. The game turns on Denver's modest run game against a Carolina defense that gives up more on the ground than the Broncos usually gain. Carolina is also short at linebacker, which makes the problem worse.
The Matchup
Records: Denver Broncos 6-2 (home 4-0, road 2-2); Carolina Panthers 3-4 (home 1-2, road 2-2)
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Kickoff: Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line: DEN -2.5, O/U 44.5
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What Decides It
Denver's run game should find room against Carolina. The Broncos average nearly 93 rushing yards a game. Carolina allows nearly 141, so this is a chance for a quiet ground attack to carry more of the load.
The Panthers will also be without linebackers Bobby Okereke (foot) and Jaelan Phillips (hamstring), both ruled out. Losing two linebackers on a defense already leaking yards on the ground is the opening Denver should lean on with J.K. Dobbins.
Carolina's passing game is the counterpunch. The Panthers throw for about 281 yards a game, and Denver allows about 247 through the air. That is Carolina's clearest path to keeping pace.
Bryce Young has 13 touchdowns against 5 interceptions, and Tetairoa McMillan has 569 receiving yards. Denver's secondary is thinner this week, with cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and safety Brandon Jones both out.
Denver's streak is real, but it has been tight. Wins of 28-24, 17-14 in overtime and 23-17 sit beside one comfortable 30-16 result. The Broncos are unbeaten at home but 2-2 on the road, so this is not a trip to take lightly.
Carolina's problem is the other side of the ball. The Panthers allow about 28 points a game while scoring about 25, and they enter off two straight losses, including a 43-13 defeat at home.
Players to Watch
Denver Broncos
Passing: Bo Nix – 149-250, 1,493 YDS, 9-3 (TD-INT)
Rushing: J.K. Dobbins – 94 ATT, 306 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Jaylen Waddle – 29 REC, 315 YDS, 2 TD
Dobbins is the name to follow given the matchup. Nix has protected the ball, with 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
Carolina Panthers
Passing: Bryce Young – 158-269, 1,921 YDS, 13-5 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Chuba Hubbard – 118 ATT, 540 YDS, 5 TD
Receiving: Tetairoa McMillan – 42 REC, 569 YDS, 2 TD
Hubbard gets a Denver run defense that allows about 128 yards a game, fewer than Carolina's but still enough to keep the Panthers balanced.
Injury Report
Carolina Panthers: LB Bobby Okereke – Out (foot); LB Jaelan Phillips – Out (hamstring); G Torricelli Simpkins III – Questionable (ankle); C Corey Bullock – Questionable (quadriceps); G Brady Christensen – Injured Reserve (hamstring)
Denver Broncos: CB Kris Abrams-Draine – Out (ankle); DE Eyioma Uwazurike – Out (shoulder); S Brandon Jones – Out (hamstring); LB Dondrea Tillman – Questionable (hip); WR Pat Bryant – Injured Reserve (ankle)
Carolina's list runs through the interior of its offensive line, with guards Simpkins and Christensen and center Bullock all listed. Denver's absences are concentrated on defense.
Prediction
Denver wins. The Broncos' run game gets a favorable matchup against a Carolina defense missing two linebackers, and Denver allows fewer points a game than the Panthers do. Young and McMillan keep it close, but the defense with the better scoring record should close it out.