Denver Broncos vs Carolina Panthers Lines & Picks

Two struggling teams headed for the top of the draft will meet in Charlotte this weekend, as the Carolina Panthers will host the Denver Broncos.

This has been a season to forget for both teams. Carolina fired their head coach early in the season, has been through three quarterbacks, has traded their franchise player away, and is now just trying to get through the season.

When Denver acquired Russell Wilson, the expectations for the Broncos were playoffs or bust. Well, unless things change quickly, this season is going to be a bust.

Wilson has been a major disappointment; first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett may not make it through the season, and other than the defense, the team has been abysmal.

We’re going to preview both teams and give you our prediction for this one so you can place your bets on the NFL Betting Odds.

A Meeting Between Two Struggling Teams in Carolina | Denver Broncos at Carolina Betting Preview

Denver Broncos

A lot was expected from the Denver Broncos offense when Wilson was acquired. Between injuries, a revolving door at the running back position, and questionable play calling, the offense has been a major bust. Jerry Jeudy has had a rough season, as has Courtland Sutton.

Star running back Javonte Williams went out early in the season with a knee injury, and since then, the running back position has been a mess. This offense is now one of the lowest-scoring groups in the league.

Defensively, even with the trade of Bradley Chubb, the Denver defense has been the lone bright spot for the team. Patrick Surtain leads one of the best secondaries in the league, and this group has single-handedly kept the Broncos in many games that they should have been out of.

Carolina Panthers

Baker Mayfield was brought in to fix the team’s quarterback issues. Mayfield was ineffective for much of the season and then was injured. PJ Walker then took over.

He had one good game but was mostly ineffective as well. Mayfield was brought back and has now been benched in favor of Sam Darnold.

Darnold will get his first start of the season in this one. He will have D’Onta Foreman in the backfield along with rookie Chuba Hubbard. The top receivers will be Terrance Marshall Jr. and DJ Moore, who has also had a disappointing season.

The offense, which is also one of the worst in the league, has put the defense in bad positions all season long. The defense has been on the field for one of the highest percentages in the league.

Until the offense can get things going, the defense is going to be put into bad situations. At least they’ll be facing an offense that doesn’t move the ball well this Sunday.

Predictions

Denver is actually favored in this one by 2.5 points. We’re a little surprised that they’re the favorites in this one. They are 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games. They’re 4-10 against the spread in their last 14. Carolina is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games.

We like the Panthers in this one. Denver has struggled all season long and has found numerous ways to lose. They’ll find another way to lose this one.