A 53-yard catch, a late touchdown drive and a hard-fought finish were not enough for Carolina at Green Bay last week. Now Bryce Young and the Panthers return home with a sharper challenge waiting: the 6-2 Denver Broncos, winners of three straight games. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium is a chance for Carolina to stop a two-game slide and show that its playoff hopes still have plenty of life.

Young has given the Panthers an offense that can move quickly. He has thrown for 1,921 yards and 13 touchdowns in seven games, often using short, quick passes to keep drives moving. His top target, Tetairoa McMillan, is the player Denver must find on every snap. McMillan has 42 catches and 569 yards, using his size to reach difficult throws and turn openings into big gains.

Carolina also needs Chuba Hubbard to set the pace. Hubbard has rushed for 540 yards and five touchdowns, and he can catch passes when Young needs a quick answer. Against Green Bay, Hubbard ran for 81 yards and added 38 receiving yards, showing how he can help in many ways. If he can keep Denver’s defenders near the line of scrimmage, McMillan may find more room outside.

That task is tougher because Carolina’s blocking group has been hit by injuries. Starting tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton are on the reserve list, while several interior blockers are dealing with injuries. Young faced six sacks in Green Bay, meaning defenders tackled him behind the line before he could throw. The Panthers must protect their quarterback better against a Denver team that has allowed only 20.6 points per game.

Denver arrives with a different kind of mystery. The Broncos average just 273 yards per game, yet they keep finding important plays when games are tight. Their 28-24 win over Kansas City last week added to victories over Arizona and Seattle. Bo Nix leads the offense with quick decisions, movement outside the pocket and timely runs. He has thrown only three interceptions, helping Denver avoid giving opponents easy chances.

Jaylen Waddle brings speed that can stretch Carolina’s defense, while Courtland Sutton offers Nix a strong, reliable target in crowded areas. Denver will miss running back RJ Harvey, who is out with a knee injury, so Nix and the passing game may carry an even larger load. That could be important against a Panthers defense that has allowed 27.6 points per game and will be without cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Still, Carolina’s 3-4 record does not tell the whole story. The Panthers score 25.4 points per game, more than Denver, and they have the home crowd behind them. Their problem is finishing drives and getting enough defensive stops when the game gets late.

This game feels like a race between Young’s aggressive passing attack and Denver’s calm, mistake-limiting style. Carolina has the tools to make it close, especially if Hubbard controls the rhythm. But Denver’s recent winning run, stronger record and ability to protect the ball give the Broncos the edge. Prediction: Denver Broncos win.

Bryce Young and Bo Nix Bring Different Paths to Charlotte