The AFC West leading Denver Broncos will hit the road in Week 9 to take on the Carolina Panthers after yet another improbable comeback last week. At 6-2, the Broncos have a really good chance to get on a bit of run here if they can take care of business against teams that are mostly at or below .500 over the next six weeks. A run would certainly help put them in the mix for homefield advantage in the AFC for the second-straight season.
Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. Mile High time on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can watch on CBS affiliates. The game will be called by Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst), and Evan Washburn (sideline). You can also check local Broncos radio network affiliate stations.
Highlights
Broncos WR Pat Bryant has been designated to return from the IR
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Broncos vs. Panthers odds: Opening lines for Week 9 matchup
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 1: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Denver Broncos celebrates catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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The Denver Broncos have exceeded most expectations on their way to a 6-2 start and have a chance to enter the Bye Week with a win over the Carolina Panthers in what I would have called the ‘best case’ scenario of 7-2 if you had asked me when the schedule came out back in May. That they are here is a good time to recognize they are winning and that is all that matters.
According to FanDuel, the Broncos are 2.5-point road favorites against the Panthers in Week 9. The over/under stands at 43.5 for this matchup.
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Broncos vs. Panthers practice participation report: Wednesday
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 4: Pat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos stretches on the field prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 4, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
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The Denver Broncos got a bit of a boost to start practice this week with wide receiver Pat Bryant being designated to return from injured reserve. He could play as early as this Sunday and was a full participant. There are several players who were held out today: Kris Abrams Draine, Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, and Eyioma Uwazurike were all non-participants.
The biggest concern there is that Denver could be down both starting safeties in this game against the Carolina Panthers. While the reserve players had a fantastic game against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, it is always a concern when your best players are not out there each week. Given Hufanga’s situation, I would guess they keep him out this game and just plan to have him make his return after the bye week.
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DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High on September 27, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
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According to multiple reports, the Denver Broncos have designated wide receiver Pat Bryant to return from the injured reserve. The Broncos’ second-year wide receiver was back at practice today after suffering an ankle injury during the team’s loss to the 49ers and has been sidelined for the past four games. However, he was eligible to return this week, and today, Bryant was back at practice and has a chance to play in Sunday’s game vs. the Carolina Panthers.
Bryant was the star of training camp and was expected to have a large role in the Broncos’ offense this season, and before his injury, he was beginning to show signs of that. Through 4 games (left midway through the 4th game), Bryant has 9 receptions for 133 yards and 1 touchdown and was becoming one of the offense’s most dependable playmakers.
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DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 01: Felix Anudike-Uzomah #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Jonah Coleman #20 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field At Mile High on November 01, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Denver Broncos are riding high.
They’re on the heels of a massive win over the rival Kansas City Chiefs that puts them in first place in the AFC West. The 28-24 win over the Chiefs also puts Denver in the hunt for home-field advantage. Yes, it’s only eight games, but after the gauntlet the Broncos have faced, sitting at 6-2 and where they are is impressive.
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Today, 12:04 AM UTC
MHR Roundup: Tuesday, 11/3
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 1: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos smiles after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos won 28-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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The analytics nerds are back at this week with some live tracking of strength of schedule. As for the Denver Broncos, no team has faced a tougher schedule through the first eight weeks than they have. By far the toughest of all 32 teams.
There isn’t a winning record within ten spots of them on this strength of schedule list and they sit at 6-2 with the second seed in the AFC presently.
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NFL Power Rankings for Week 9: Are they beginning to Bo-lieve?
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 1: Jonah Coleman #20 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Four straight wins and sitting in the number two seed in the AFC. That’s where the Denver Broncos are heading into Week 9, which means the national media has to start paying attention and most did in their power rankings this week.
If I had to be honest with where each team is at in the NFL, I would probably put the Broncos somewhere around 4th and 5th right now. I think the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears are all playing more complete football right now. From there, you could split hairs between our Broncos and teams like the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.
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AFC playoff picture: Denver Broncos take the #2 seed position
DENVER , CO - NOVEMBER 1: Bo Nix (10) of the Denver Broncos smiles after the Broncos’ 28-24 win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 1, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Playoffs? Yes, we’re talking playoffs.
We are through 8 weeks of the 2026 NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. After their thrilling victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos have moved into first place in the AFC West and are currently the number 2 seed in the AFC.
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