The Panthers (4-8) are coming off their bye week to welcome the Broncos (4-8) in a Week 14 matchup Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Denver is coming off a disappointing defeat at Kansas City where the Broncos had the defending champions on the ropes before falling, 22-16, on Sunday Night Football.
This game is just the third time the Panthers have hosted the Broncos, splitting previous meetings in 2008 and 2012. Carolina is 1-5 against the Broncos all-time, making Denver one of just two teams the Panthers have ever beaten only once (Pittsburgh).
Drew Lock is back
Two weeks ago, all eyes were on the Broncos' quarterback situation as the entire QB room was quarantined for COVID-19. Practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton played quarterback in a 31-3 loss to the Saints, completing just 1-of-9 passes for 13 yards and two interceptions. But with just hours to prepare and not having played quarterback since his days at Wake Forest, Hinton's gutsy performance earned the attention of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which will display his game-worn wristband.
However, this week the Panthers will face Drew Lock, Denver's No. 1 quarterback. On the season, Lock has 1,918 passing yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He's been far more effective outside of the pocket this season, completing 84 percent of his passes for a 146.2 rating on rollouts or boot plays, while he's completed just 57 percent of his passes in the pocket for a 63.8 rating.
Mile High Runners
Denver's rushing offense has been more consistent than the passing attack this year, ranking 12th in the league with 118.9 yards per game.
Melvin Gordon had 131 yards on 15 carries at Kansas City, and he now ranks 12th in the NFL with 685 rush yards and six touchdowns. Phillip Lindsay has over 400 rushing yards to go alongside Gordon.
However, Denver hasn't had much volume in terms of red zone rushes. The Broncos are 10th in the NFL in rushing yards outside the red zone (1,324) and last in the league in rushing yards (83) inside it.
Red-Zone Wall
While the Broncos' red-zone rushing attack hasn't been very effective, their red-zone defense has been. The Broncos made a statement on national TV by holding the Chiefs, one of the NFL's premier red-zone offenses, to an 0-for-4 mark on red zone opportunities, including 0-for-3 on goal-to-go situations.
On the season, Denver ranks second in the NFL in red-zone defense, allowing touchdowns on just 47.7 percent of red-zone drives.
Former N.C. State standout Bradley Chubb leads the Broncos with 7.5 sacks, to go with nine tackles for loss. He's become one of the more recognizable names on the defense after outside linebacker Von Miller was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury back in September.
A Few Reunions
The Panthers and Broncos played in a dramatic Super Bowl 50 and then a follow-up 2016 season opener that ended with a missed field goal as time expired.
Only one player that started that 2016 matchup will be active for the same team on Sunday: Panthers safety Tre Boston. Both Miller and Carolina's Kawann Short started in 2016, but they're both currently on their respective teams' reserve lists.
There will be a few other familiar faces in this matchup. Three Denver starters from that game — offensive linemen Russell Okung, Matt Paradis and Michael Schofield — are now on Carolina's roster.
Running back Christian McCaffrey grew up in Denver's locker room around his father, former longtime Bronco Ed McCaffrey.
Broncos head coach Vic Fangio was Carolina's defensive coordinator from 1995-98, while quarterbacks coach Mike Shula was in Carolina from 2011-17, serving as offensive coordinator in the final five seasons.
Carolina is 1-6 all-time against Denver with a 1-2 record at home.
Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Levi's Stadium Santa Clara, CA Sunday, February 7, 2016
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster, center, is tackled at the line of scrimmage by Denver Broncos linebacker Al Wilson, bottom center, in the first quarter, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, in Denver. Broncos' Monsanto Pope (75) and Marco Coleman (92) are also in on the play. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Levi's Stadium Santa Clara, CA Sunday, February 7, 2016
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on November 9,1997. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 34-0. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2016 photo of of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of May 12, 2016 when this images was taken. (AP Photo)
Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Levi's Stadium Santa Clara, CA Sunday, February 7, 2016
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Maa Tanuvasa (98) stops Carolina Panthers running back Fred Lane (33) during an NFL game on November 9,1997. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 34-0. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Levi's Stadium Santa Clara, CA Sunday, February 7, 2016
Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Levi's Stadium Santa Clara, CA Sunday, February 7, 2016
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is upended by a Denver Broncos player during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) under center during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday November 11, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Denver won 36-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, center, embraces Carolina Panthers' Charles Johnson, left, and James Anderson, right, after an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. Denver won 36-14. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Levi's Stadium Santa Clara, CA Sunday, February 7, 2016
Denver Broncos' Willis McGahee (23) runs as Carolina Panthers' Charles Johnson (95) and Greg Hardy (76) defend during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) fights for extra yards after making a reception during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday November 11, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Denver won 36-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) is upended by Denver Broncos' Chris Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Mark Carrier (83) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos Nov. 9, 1997, Denver. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) stretches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown as he is tackled by Denver Broncos' Rahim Moore (26) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts after a catch during the second quarter of the Panthers' 30-10 win over the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler (6) tries to escape Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the second quarter of the Panthers' 30-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Denver Broncos' Eddie Royal, top, misses a catch in the end zone as Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas, bottom, defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) reacts as he runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs in for a touchdown as Denver Broncos' Josh Bell (34) and Dre' Bly (32) persue during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) looks back over his shoulder as he heads downfield after intercepting a pass in the endzone and returning it 101 yards to the opposite 3-yard line during the third quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, in Denver. Denver Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson (39) chases him. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams (52) dives as he tries to stop Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) from scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run during the third quarter in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer (16) gets a pass off despite the defensive pressure of Carolina Panthers defensive end Micheal Rucker during the second quarter in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos Steve Atwater (27) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Nov. 9, 1997, in Denver. (Allen Kee via AP)
Denver Broncos running back Reuben Droughns, left, is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers after a 32-yard run in the first quarter in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Nov. 9, 1997, at Mile High Stadium in Denver. (Allen Kee via AP)
