Post sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor Matt Ehalt is back for his third season in the NFL Bettor’s Guide.
Denver Broncos (-2.5) over CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Panthers’ season has taken a massive downward turn since it seemed they may be the best team in the NFC South.
After entering the bye with a 3-2 record, Carolina no-showed in a 43-13 home whooping by the Buccaneers and then produced a poor effort against the Packers last Thursday night.
Carolina’s glaring weakness is its rush defense, which ranks 30th in yards allowed per game with 140.7.
The Buccaneers rushed for 258 yards and three scores in that Week 7 game, although the Panthers stiffened against the woeful Packers rushing attack last week.
Denver has underwhelmed this season, especially quarterback Bo Nix, but it seems the Broncos have a spark in rookie running back Jonah Coleman.
Coleman tallied 41 rushing yards and one score to help down the Chiefs last week and even added 63 receiving yards.
With Nix unable to generate much through the air, don’t be surprised if the Broncos lean on their rushing attack against a matador defense when it comes to stopping opposing backs.
Denver also is primed to exploit a weak Carolina offensive line at a time when Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is trending in the wrong direction.
The Broncos entered Week 9 tied for fourth in sacks with 23, and the Panthers are tied for the second-most sacks allowed with 23.
They should be able to pressure Young, who has not played well over the last two weeks.
Betting on the NFL?
He tallied just 372 total passing yards against the Buccaneers and Packers while throwing three interceptions and taking 11 sacks.
If Denver can get after Young and find rhythm in the running game, the Broncos should win this game by at least a field goal and maintain first place in the AFC West.
2026 record: 4-4
Last week: Jaguars (W)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Matt Ehalt has been picking against the spread since his childhood days when he entered his father’s newspaper pool and even took the top prize on more than one occasion. He specializes in NFL wagers and is quite successful with NCAA brackets.
