The Denver Broncos will battle Carolina Panthers on Sunday. It’s a huge matchup for the Broncos who have a shot to keep their winning streak alive and enter their bye week with a 7-2 record if they are victorious. Here is a deeper look at their Week 9 opponent.
2025 Carolina Panthers Regular Season Review
The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record in Head Coach Dave Canales’ second season leading the team.. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round 34-31.
2026 Carolina
Panthers Offseason Additions and Departures
After securing their first division title since the 2017 season, the Carolina Panthers made a few big splashes in free agency to be more competitive in 2026. The two high-profile signings came on defense. They signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million dollar contract. The Panthers also inked All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million dollar contract.
Carolina didn’t have many big-named departures. However, they parted ways with two starters. Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and offensive lineman Austin Corbettt, whose time with the Panthers was marred by injuries.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, they made bolstering their trenches a priority. They took Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round and Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter in the second. Both have been starters for them this season. Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was their third-round pick. Unfortunately, his rookie season ended early after suffering a torn LCL in summer.
On the bright side, their Day 3 group of talent has earned plenty of playing time. They snagged two starters on Day 3 with Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee and Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley. Fifth-round offensive lineman Sam Hecht and seventh-round linebacker Jackson Kuwatch have earned backup roles and are playing on special teams for them this season.
Offensive X-Factor: Quarterback Bryce Young
As noted above, the Panthers made improving their defense a big part of their free agent plans. On offense, they banked on the progression of quarterback Bryce Young to be the catalyst that would take their offense to the next level. He is my X-Factor for them on offense.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Young. Even so, the Panthers have had a big turnaround on offense. They are a Top 10 unit in the NFL by most metrics. Wide receivers Tetairoa McMillian and Jalen Coker have been very productive. Tight ends Tommy Tremble and Darren Waller have gotten their fair share of looks in the passing game too.
Young has done a great job diving up his targets and despite a less-than-optimal completion percentage. In seven starts, Young is completing 59-percent of his passes, thrown for 1,921 yards, 13 touchdowns, and has just 5 interceptions on the season. He is doing great on first down and is moving the chains early and often. However, his third down efficiency has been less than optimal.
A big reason for that is poor play from their offensive line. In just seven games, Young has been sack almost as many times as he was in 2025. This is a game where Denver’s defensive front seven needs to make an impact. While their sack total isn’t nearly as good as it was last season, they’re still a top-ranked team when it comes to generating pressure and getting quarterback hits. If they can rattle Young, I like Denver’s odds of winning this game.
Defensive X-Factor: Linebacker Devin Lloyd
The Panthers made some splashes in free agency to upgrade their defense. Alas, it has been their biggest weakness to date. No excuses can be made, but they have had a bunch of injuries. Their poor play and inconsistency led to the firing of Ejiro Evero at the end of October. Broncos Country may remember that name, as Evero was the Defensive Coordinator for the Broncos in 2022 when Nathaniel Hackett was Head Coach.
One bright spot for them on defense has been linebacker Devin Lloyd. He’s my X-Factor for them on defense. Lloyd had a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro season in his fourth and final year with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. He notched 135 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 1.5 sacks.
This season, he has continued to play at a high level. The fifth-year pro already has 69 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 sacks on the season. If there is any player on defense Denver’s offense needs to be cognizant of, it’s Lloyd. He has incredible range and playmaking ability. Whether it’s against the run or the pass, he is one of the league’s most versatile defenders that can make a huge impact on the game.
How the Broncos can achieve a victory over the Panthers
ICYMI: Yesterday, I wrote how the Broncos can achieve their seventh victory of the season over the Panthers. Overall, this is a game where I really like Denver’s chances. If they can establish the run on offense and get after Young defensively, they should be able to come away with a big win before the bye week.
Hart’s Prediction: Broncos 30, Panthers 17.
