Can the Panthers upset the Bills? Our predictions, betting advice, TV channel
The matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Buffalo Bills was always going to be a big one for Charlotte — as the Bills have a reigning MVP on their side and Super Bowl hopes on their horizon.
But Sunday could be special for another reason previously unforeseen:
It could be a great game.
The Carolina Panthers (4-3), winners of three straight and flawless at home in 2025, are hosting the Bills (4-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. And vibes are high in Uptown. The Panthers’ run defense, so poor in 2024, has been historically stout. Their best cornerback is coming off a two-interception game. Their rushing offense is clicking despite questions about carry distributions between Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard — and their passing game has been a nice complement to that.
Most of all, though, there’s a belief encircling the franchise that there hasn’t been in a long time — a product of being over .500 for the first time since 2021.
While the Panthers are red-hot, the Bills are trying to find their rhythm again. The team hasn’t won a game in three weeks thanks to losses to New England and Atlanta in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively, and a bye in Week 7.
Bills non-believers — and many have come out of the woodwork recently — would look at the slate of teams they’ve defeated and notice that those opponents have only mustered a cumulative record of 3-24. They’d also point out that they have the 31st-ranked rush defense, something that should marry well with the Panthers’ run-first preference.
But even still, it’s tough to deny their Josh Allen-led offense: The Bills average 27.8 points per game (4th in the NFL), 378.3 yards per game (3rd), a 41.18% third-down conversion rate (11th) and 151 rush yards a game (first).
So, let’s get to the point: Who will win?
Observer reporters Alex Zietlow and Mike Kaye, as well as columnist Scott Fowler, provide their own game predictions below. Also in this story are the different ways fans can watch the game and what the sportsbooks are saying about this matchup that is sure to compel a national audience.
Inactives: Bryce Young is officially out Sunday
The topic of choice all week in Charlotte revolved around the Carolina quarterbacks with Bryce Young navigating his ankle injury. The Panthers made their final statement on it Sunday morning; Young is officially inactive. Otherwise, not many Sunday surprises for the Panthers. Check out the inactive lists for both teams below.
Panthers: QB Bryce Young, WR Hunter Renfrow, RB DeeJay Dallas, C Nick Samac, TE James Mitchell, DT Cam Jackson, DT Jaden Crumedy.
Bills: WR Joshua Palmer, CB Brandon Codrington, LB Matt Milano, T Chase Lundt, DT DaQuan Jones, DE Landon Jackson.
How to watch, listen, follow Panthers-Bills game
The Panthers-Bills game will kick off at 1:01 p.m. Sunday in Bank of America Stadium and will be televised on FOX. It’ll be the same crew that called the Panthers-Cowboys game: Adam Amin on play-by-play duties, former Panthers legend Greg Olsen as the analyst and Pam Oliver as the sideline reporter, who, as The Observer wrote in a profile of her a few weeks ago, isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
The game will also be on National Radio via ESPN. Steve Levy, Harry Douglas and Marilyn Payne are there for that. It’ll also be on local radio in English (WRFX The Fox 99.7 FM) and in Spanish (WXNC 97.3 FM, 1060 AM). Check out your local radio listings on the Carolina Panthers Radio Network.
Betting info: Do the sportsbooks favor the Bills or Panthers?
The sportsbooks don’t care about the vibes in Charlotte. The Panthers are 7.5-point underdogs on Sunday, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Panthers’ money line is set at +315; the Bills’ is at -400, as of Saturday. The point total over/under for Sunday is 46.5.
The Panthers have done a good job covering this season; they’re 5-2 against the spread. The Bills, conversely, are 2-4 against the spread.
Some other bets you might find compelling for Sunday’s game:
- Touchdown Scorers — Xavier Legette. With Andy Dalton getting the start, look for Legette to be a large part of the offense. Of Dalton’s seven pass attempts after Bryce Young went out against the Jets, five were targeted to the second-year receiver. An anytime touchdown for Legette is set at +330.
- Alternative Rushing Yards — Chuba Hubbard. Yes, it sounds like the Panthers are splitting series again with Hubbard and Dowdle. But the Bills’ rushing defense is 31st in the league. A Hubbard breakout game feels due. Some alternate rushing yards lines to consider: 50+ yards (+142), 60+ (+230) ... all the way up to 100+ (+1200).
- Player To Record A Sack — Joey Bosa. Establishing the run will be important for the Panthers. But if they fall behind against such an explosive offense, they’ll be put in a lot of passing situations, and that spells opportunity for this Bills pass rush — Joey Bosa in particular. His sack line isn’t lucrative, but it’s something to consider nonetheless (-108).
Game predictions: Who will win Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills?
All three Observer predictors took the Panthers to beat the Jets last week, so the margin among the trio has stayed the same. Fowler maintains a hefty lead at 6-1 over Kaye (2-5) and Zietlow (2-5).
Fowler: Panthers 27, Bills 26. Even as I write this, I am having a hard time believing I am going to pick against reigning MVP Josh Allen and Buffalo. But the Panthers are a far better team when playing at home (3-0). The Panthers at least have a shot if they play turnover-free football and run the ball at least 35-40 times against Buffalo’s 31st-ranked rushing defense (with 70% of those carries going to Rico Dowdle, preferably). Put me down for an upset and, hey, if it doesn’t work out, at least I’m giving my colleagues a chance to catch up.
Kaye: Bills 27, Panthers 24. I think this game will be close, regardless of who will be at QB for Carolina. The Panthers should have plenty of success on the ground with a few Tetairoa McMillan moments sprinkled in. Josh Allen, though, can be a monster on the football field, and it’s late October.
Zietlow: Bills 38, Panthers 21. Trust me, I’ve heard the same things you have. The Bills haven’t beaten a team over .500 yet. They’ve lost two straight. The Panthers brought in former Bills quarterback Mike White to the practice squad to find a competitive edge. Etc. Etc. But this is a game the Bills need to win in order to get on the right track — and a bye week of preparation will only help Josh Allen and the rest of the team in this effort. I think the Panthers hold close for a while, but then the Bills pull away at the end.
This story was originally published October 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
