Our Panthers vs Broncos prediction is for the favored Broncos to cover the heavy spread of 11 points.
Carolina (1-6) will turn to former number-one overall pick Bryce Young to start at quarterback. It was not a conscious choice. Veteran Andy Dalton was in an auto accident during the week and is banged up. Fortunately, his injuries are minor and his family is fine.
Denver (4-3) has won four of five and is in the thick of the AFC playoff race. To be taken seriously as a postseason threat, they need to beat woeful Carolina.
Head-to-head, Denver has a 6-2 record.
Offshore Odds: Carolina Is an 11-Point Underdog
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +11 (-111) | +475 | O 41 (-110) |
| Broncos | -11 (-109) | -615 | U 41 (-110) |
Carolina Turns to Young After Dalton’s Car Crash
It’s not how Carolina would have wanted to give Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, another chance to start, but that is what Andy Dalton’s auto accident is doing.
Getting beyond how it happened, it makes perfect sense to let Young try again. The Panthers are 1-6 and going nowhere. The only race they are in is to see if they get the first pick in the draft again. The competition is fierce between Carolina, New England, Cleveland, and Tennessee.
In short, they need to see if Young can play. So far, he has not shown himself to be an NFL starter. But the team has been terrible and overmatched for his entire time. It’s impossible to gauge. They looked more competent with the veteran Dalton replacing the overmatched Young, but eventually, they must see if Young is the answer.
The Panthers have been dreadful in every area. The one bright spot has been running back Chuba Hubbard who has averaged more than five yards per carry.
Denver Is Nursing Their Own Neophyte Quarterback
Denver’s defense has been excellent. They are second in the NFL in sacks and Young will be on the run. The immobile Dalton would have been far more vulnerable to the Broncos’ rush.
For the second straight year, head coach Sean Payton is working with a quarterback he is willfully constraining. In 2023, it was because he was unhappy with Russell Wilson. In 2024, he has a rookie, Bo Nix.
Nix is coming along slowly and Payton is reluctant to let him loose. Look for the Broncos to rely on their running game with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Nix. If they build up a lead, maybe they will open it up.
Panthers vs Broncos Prediction: Expect a Broncos Blowout
The Broncos are not a superteam, but the Panthers are ghastly. There is no reason to expect Young to be any better than he was when Carolina head coach Dave Canales benched him two games into the season.
Our Panthers vs Broncos prediction is to give Carolina the 11 points and take the Broncos against the spread.
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