NFL Analyst Picks Panthers to Upset Broncos in Week 9

Carolina Panthers are preparing to host the Denver Broncos at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a Week 9 matchup in the 2026 NFL season. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 8, with NFL.com analyst Gennaro Filice predicting a narrow home victory for Carolina despite Denver's four-game winning streak.

Denver enters the contest at the top of the AFC West after building momentum through consecutive victories. However, Filice believes the Broncos face a tougher challenge away from home, where their performances have been less convincing.

According to NFL.com, Denver has recorded a perfect 4-0 home record, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Its away performances have been less consistent, with victories against the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals but defeats to the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

Filice also highlighted weaknesses in Denver's defense. The Broncos rank 20th against the pass, 25th against the run and 25th on third downs, according to the analysis published by NFL.com.

Carolina, meanwhile, enters the matchup with an inconsistent record but remains at the top of the NFC South. The Panthers opened October with an impressive victory over the Detroit Lions before suffering decisive defeats against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers.

The upcoming game represents an important opportunity for Carolina to strengthen its position in the division before beginning a demanding stretch of away games. The team is scheduled to play three of its next four games on the road, according to NFL.com's preview.

Filice identified Denver's pass rush as a potential problem for Carolina, particularly because the Panthers have been dealing with injuries along their offensive line. However, the analyst also pointed to Carolina's additional recovery time following its previous Thursday Night Football appearance as a possible advantage.

Carolina will also enter the game following a significant defensive coaching change. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has been fired, leaving uncertainty over whether the decision will produce an immediate improvement or create further disruption within the defensive unit.

Head coach Dave Canales now faces the challenge of bringing his team together against a Denver opponent that has gained considerable momentum. Filice expects Canales to guide Carolina toward a narrow victory on its home field.

The Broncos and Panthers will meet at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. CBS will broadcast the Week 9 contest.