The Denver Broncos have started the season well and stand at 6-2 after having the best regular-season record in the AFC last season, but they face another test of their character when they head to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
The Panthers have lost their last two games to fall to 3-4 on the season, but that is still good enough for them to be showing the way in the weak NFC South division, in which every team has a losing record.
The Broncos have dominated the previous games between these teams, winning seven of nine overall, including five of the last six meetings.
Broncos vs. Panthers betting picks and predictions
Denver Broncos -2.5 (-117)
The Denver Broncos are leading the AFC West as the halfway point in the NFL regular season approaches but they haven't convinced everyone that they are genuine Super Bowl contenders yet this season and Sean Payton's team are only joint-eighth in the betting to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy at +1600 odds.
The Broncos are in good shape at 6-2 and should have won over some of their doubters with last week's 28-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, having lost their Week 1 meeting with the Chiefs 31-10.
Their only other loss was against another strong team in the San Francisco 49ers (6-1) and after a run of four straight wins, confidence should be high at the Colorado franchise.
The same cannot be said for the Panthers, who made a promising start to the year, reaching 3-2 with wins over the Lions and Eagles, but have taken a major step back in the last two weeks.
They gave up more than 40 points for the second time this season in a 43-13 beatdown by Tampa Bay, and couldn't get back on track in last week's 27-19 defeat by the Packers.
The Broncos are not the kind of team who are likely to crush opponents and only one of their wins this year has been by more than seven points, but a three-point road win is very much their style and they are taken to cover the spread on the road.
Jonah Coleman anytime touchdown scorer (+100)
The Broncos' running game has been a muddled committee effort to this point in the season, with veteran JK Dobbins, second-season rusher RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman sharing the load.
No Denver running back has had more than 68 rushing yards in a game yet, but there have been signs in the last two weeks that fourth-round pick Coleman is capable of becoming the main man.
Coleman came back from an early injury to have 54 rushing yards in the win over the Cardinals and he followed that with 104 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs.
He has reached the end zone in two of his three career games and can get on the scoreboard against a Panthers defence who gave up rushing and receiving touchdowns to Packers running back Josh Jacobs last week.
Tetairoa McMillan over 5.5 receptions (+110)
The Panthers are not short of talent despite their recent struggles, with quarterback Bryce Young and wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker capable of some big performances.
Having a big day against the tough Broncos defence is not easy, though, so huge amounts of yardage may not be possible this week, but McMillan is worth backing to make six or more receptions in the game, however far he can take them.
The 2025 first-round pick has been targeted up to 16 times per game this season, making six or more receptions in three of his last four appearances.
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Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers odds
Denver Broncos | -148 |
Carolina Panthers | +124 |
Spread | DEN Broncos -2.5 |
Total Points | O/U 44.5 |
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers Player Props
Anytime touchdown
Chuba Hubbard (CAR Panthers) | -125 |
|---|---|
Jonah Coleman (DEN Broncos) | +100 |
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR Panthers) | +160 |
Jaylen Waddle (DEN Broncos) | +180 |
Courtland Sutton (DEN Broncos) | +195 |
Jalen Coker (CAR Panthers) | +200 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
