The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 8 matchup between the Broncos and Panthers.
Find a breakdown of every Week 8 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| Carolina | Rank | @ | Denver | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Spread | -9 | ||
| 17.25 | Implied Total | 26.25 | ||
| 15.7 | 28 | Points/Gm | 20.7 | 21 |
| 34.7 | 32 | Points All./Gm | 15.1 | 3 |
| 57.7 | 29 | Plays/Gm | 59.6 | 23 |
| 64 | 25 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 64.3 | 26 |
| 4.9 | 25 | Off. Yards/Play | 4.9 | 24 |
| 6 | 31 | Def. Yards/Play | 4.4 | 1 |
| 40.59% | 25 | Rush% | 44.12% | 16 |
| 59.41% | 8 | Pass% | 55.88% | 17 |
| 54.02% | 32 | Opp. Rush % | 42.67% | 14 |
| 45.98% | 1 | Opp. Pass % | 57.33% | 19 |
- Carolina has been outscored by 133 points this season, the worst margin in the league. The next closest team (New England) has a -76 point differential.
- The Panthers have trailed by double-digit points for a league-high 49.5% of their offensive snaps.
- Denver has the best sack differential in the league (+19) after ranking 25th in 2023 (-10).
- The Broncos are 2nd in the NFL in EPA as a pass defense (47.9).
- The Panthers are 31st in EPA as a pass defense (-59.7).
- Carolina is 31st in EPA as a passing offense (-50.9).
- Denver is 30th in EPA as a passing offense (-45.9).
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Bo Nix: Nix ended last week QB17 (14.1 points) in a game where the Broncos did not ask him to do much.
Nix had some wild misses in the game.
He led the league in inaccurate throw rate in Week 7 (23.1%) and ranks 30th on the season (14.3%).
But Nix did continue to use his mobility to generate production.
He ran 10 times for 75 yards.
Nix is averaging 6.2 rushing points per game, which is 6th in the league.
While I would still prefer to use Nix in 2QB formats over outright streaming him in 1QB formats in a week with no byes, he is in play as a streamer for needy gamers.
Nix has hit in his matchup-based spots so far.
This is the highest implied team total that the Broncos have had this season.
He has three QB1 scoring weeks, coming against the Buccaneers (19.3 points), Raiders (23.1 points), and Chargers (20.7 points).
Both of the Tampa Bay and Las Vegas games were identifiable as good matchups coming in.
He gets another one this week.
The Panthers have been a mark for us all season.
They are dead last in pressure rate (23.7%) and 31st in sack rate (3.5%), so Nix should stay clean here.
Carolina has allowed the most passing points per attempt (0.583) in the league.
They have allowed four QB1 scoring weeks, which includes Marcus Mariota (19.6 points) in relief last week for Jayden Daniels.
Bryce Young: The Panthers are going back to Young for at least week with Andy Dalton dealing with a thumb injury after a car accident this week.
Young opened the season with weeks as QB25 (9.6 points) and QB34 (2.0 points) before the team went to Dalton.
Young has two QB1 scoring weeks to open his career with an average weekly finish of QB25.
I do not need to go into the weeds on all of the bad Young stats because you are not playing him unless it is a necessity in 2QB formats.
Carolina team totals continue to drop, and the Denver defense has been good paired with having the rest advantage at home.
The Broncos are 3rd in the NFL in terms of pressure rate (40.9%).
They have allowed 9.7 passing points per game, 3rd fewest in the league.
Running Back
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Learn MoreMore Week 8 Fantasy Breakdowns From The Worksheet:
| Matchup | Time |
|---|---|
| Vikings @ Rams -- FREE | Thursday Night Football |
| Eagles @ Bengals | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Ravens @ Browns | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Titans @ Lions | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Cardinals @ Dolphins | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Jets @ Patriots | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Falcons @ Bucs | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Packers @ Jaguars | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Colts @ Texans | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Saints @ Chargers | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Bills @ Seahawks | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Panthers @ Broncos | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Chiefs @ Raiders | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Bears @ Commanders | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Cowboys @ 49ers | Sunday Night Football |
| Giants @ Steelers -- FREE | Monday Night Football |