The Carolina Panthers are down at least their top two, possibly their top four corners again this week. Damien Lewis and Jaelan Phillips have also not participated in practice yet this week and are on track to miss a second consecutive game. That could mean that the Panthers porous rush defense and even more porous pass protection as executed by third to fourth to nth string players may be on full display again.
The Denver Broncos managed to sack Patrick Mahomes twice and hit him another ten times
on 41 dropbacks last week. The Panthers have surrendered 11 sacks in the last two weeks. This is not an encouraging comparison. Hope isn’t dead, however. Longtime do-it-all lineman Brady Christensen may be back this week with odds to plug in at one of the tackle positions. That would send free agent and disappointment Rasheed Walker to the bench for at least the first snap of the game.
At corner, Will Lee III and Marco Wilson may form a more competent cornerback duo than one would expect for their original places on the depth chart at the start of the season (third string and on the street, respectively).
The Panthers were held together with duck tape and prayer last week and still took the Green Bay Packers down to the wire. The Broncos are another team looking to find their rushing game against the Panthers. I think Carolina takes a small step forward on the injury front this week and use that momentum to surprise a good—but far from invulnerable—Denver Broncos team with an obvious game plan.
Maybe I’m too optimistic here, but there is also part of me that just cannot stomach losing to Sean Payton. Couple that with teams west of the Mississippi traditionally struggling to perform in early east coast games and I like the Panthers at +2.5.
Staff predictions for Week 9
Walker Clement
Panthers 23, Broncos 22 -I’m choosing hope this week. If Brady Christensen and Will Lee III can play then I think the Panthers take a step forward from last week’s many issues and topple a Denver team that hasn’t scored more than 30 points all season.
Brian Beversluis
Panthers 15, Broncos 22 – The Panthers lose a close one as the Broncos find their rushing game.
Daniel Belton
Panthers 24, Broncos 16 – A Blue Wave continues to roll through the Carolinas; this time it’s Process blue. Panthers defense shows good effort against a bad QB, allowing the offense some extra time to work out the kinks.*
*Editor’s note: Daniel’s optimism in consecutive weeks is starting to get suspicious. It’s like he hasn’t read the injury reports.
Eric Buchanan
Panthers 20, Broncos 17 -Either the Panthers win close or get blown out. I’m choosing to be optimistic.
Keep Pounding with your fellow Panthers fans on the SB Nation app!
Stay connected from kickoff to the final whistle with faster conversations and live game-day reactions.
- Chat live with Panthers fans during games
- Browse with fewer ads
- Easily explore different communities and conversations
- Comment and post faster
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
