CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers are still in first place. They are also at their lowest point of the 2026 season.
Carolina (3-4) is on a two-game losing streak, and it fired its defensive coordinator last week. But the Panthers lead the NFC South, and they host the red-hot Denver Broncos (6-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS at Bank of America Stadium. Here is how Carolina can bounce back.
Bryce Young QB Carolina Panthers looking to get a Win over Denver
How the skid happened
It started with a 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 25. The Buccaneers forced four turnovers and scored 26 points in the second quarter, including a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Bryce Young threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller, but it was one of the few bright spots.
A 27-19 loss to the Packers on Thursday night, Oct. 29, followed. Young struggled again, and the Panthers dismissed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley the next morning. Todd Wash, who ran Jacksonville’s defense from 2016 to 2020, is the interim coordinator.
The two losses have exposed some real problems. Young took 11 sacks and threw three interceptions across the two games, and Carolina’s injury list keeps growing.
Five ways Carolina can bounce back
1. Protect Young. The offensive line is the biggest issue. Tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton are out, and guard Damien Lewis is out with a knee injury. Young has been pressured on 45.6% of his dropbacks, the second-highest rate in the league. Expect shorter drops, quicker throws and more help from the run game. Carolina leaned on the run against Green Bay, and that is likely to continue.
2. Win on third down. Denver converts only 29.7% of its third downs, the lowest rate in the NFL, and it has averaged just 273.0 yards per game, third fewest. If Wash’s defense can get Denver off the field, it gives the Panthers a chance to control the game. Wash said the plan is to play fast, hard and physical.
3. Take care of the ball. Tampa Bay forced four turnovers, and Young said afterward that he needed to take accountability for his. The Panthers can’t give Denver extra possessions.
4. Use the rest and the crowd. Carolina played Thursday, so it had extra days to prepare, while the Broncos are traveling across the country for an early kickoff. Bank of America Stadium should help.
5. Hold up on the back end. Starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are on injured reserve, and backups Akayleb Evans and Will Lee III are out. Linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bobby Okereke are also out. The secondary will have to cover Bo Nix, who has a knack for late comebacks, including a 28-24 win over Kansas City last week.
What’s at stake
Despite the skid, Carolina still leads the NFC South. Tampa Bay and Atlanta are both 3-5, and New Orleans is 2-5. A win would put the Panthers at 4-4 and keep the lead, with a Nov. 30 rematch against the Buccaneers on the schedule.
There is a personal side too. Young has 13 touchdown passes through seven games, tied for the most in Panthers history through that point with Jake Delhomme (2005) and Cam Newton (2018). Head coach Dave Canales said Young practiced in full and will play despite a lower-body injury.
Our lean
Most national analysts favor Denver. The Broncos have won four straight, and their defense had the NFL’s most sacks last season. But they are also coming off an emotional win, and their offense has struggled to convert. Our lean: Broncos by a field goal, with a good chance this comes down to the fourth quarter.
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