With the Denver Broncos (6-2) coming off a big win against the Kansas City Chiefs to propel them into first place in the AFC West in Week 8, they now go on the road to visit the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers (3-4) in Week 9 on Sunday.

Ahead of this crucial matchup, we went behind enemy lines with Panthers Wire's Anthony Rizzuti to find out what we can about Carolina going into the midway point of the season. You can see our questions and Rizzuti's answers below.

1. Panthers QB Bryce Young had the fifth year of his rookie deal picked up in the offseason. How has he responded to the faith put in him by Carolina?

Despite these past two games, and maybe we’ll get back to that a little later, Young has been playing the best ball of his pro career in 2026.

He’s passed the eye test—looking more decisive, confident and quicker in his distribution of the rock. While Young obviously deserves props for his development, a good chunk of the credit should also go to offensive coordinator and first-year play-caller Brad Idzik—who has opened up his quarterback’s untapped potential as a downfield thrower.

Young also has the numbers to back his leap up, having tossed for 13 touchdowns, five interceptions and 274.4 passing yards per game (fifth-most in the NFL). Prior to this year, Young had averaged 188.4 passing yards over his first 51 starts.

As long as Young keeps up this level of play, he’ll be well in line for a new contract heading into 2027.

2. Who has been the most surprising player, rookie or free agent, addition for the Panthers thus far?

His play might not be a surprise to those who thought he’d go higher than the fifth round of this past spring’s draft, but rookie safety Zakee Wheatley has already carved out a spot for himself on the Carolina defense.

Wheatley has played in 64 percent of the Panthers’ defensive snaps thus far, a pretty impressive share for a Day 3 pick behind a couple of trusted veterans in Tre’von Moehrig and Nick Scott. And he’s earned those opportunities, using his exciting blend of size, speed and athleticism to produce 26 combined tackles, six stops, an interception, four passes defensed and a forded fumble.

If you’re still into Pro Football Focus, Wheatley is currently the owner of the second-highest overall defensive grade among all safeties (89.8).

3. The big story coming into Week 9 was the firing of DC Ejiro Evero. Who is interim DC Todd Wash?

Before the bump, Wash served as the Panthers’ defensive line coach since 2023. And before that, he was the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars between 2016 and 2020—so he’s been in this position before.

His results in Jacksonville were largely impressive, too. Under Wash, the Jags defense ranked sixth in 2016, second in 2017 and fifth in 2018—followed by dips to 24th in 2019 and 31st in 2020.

But back to present day, where the Panthers are hoping to kickstart their largely punchless defense. Failing to stop the run and failing to get off the field on third-and-longs were two recurring themes with Evero at the helm. Perhaps a shift in philosophy will get this unit closer to where they want to be.

4. What is the biggest strength of the Panthers thus far? What is the biggest weakness?

Other than boasting the league’s fifth-ranked passing offense, the Panthers have been able to lean on running back Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard, who looks to be back to his career-best 2024 form, has become the engine of the offense once again—totaling a whopping 90 touches over the last four games.

But their biggest weakness, the offensive line, has begun to hamper their production. Going into Week 9, three of Carolina’s starting offensive linemen (left tackle Rasheed Walker, center Luke Fortner and right guard Robert Hunt) lead their respective positions in pressures allowed.

As we alluded to earlier, Young’s lack of protection has brought his sparkling season to a screeching halt. The last two outings have seen Young take a combined 11 sacks.

5. Who wins, final score and why?

A (very) bad offensive line against a (very) good defense feels like a recipe for disaster. Plus, Denver is flying high off an exceptional comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs, while Carolina is currently at their lowest point of the campaign.