Broncos @ Panthers
Final Score: Broncos 26, Panthers 21
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
Three Up
- Jonah Coleman — This is his backfield now.
- Pat Bryant — The clear receiver to own in the Broncos’ offense aside from Jaylen Waddle.
- Darren Waller — An explosion in usage led to a season-best performance for the veteran.
Two Down
- J.K. Dobbins — Has lost his lead role and is no longer startable in fantasy.
- Jalen Coker — Another week of underwhelming production and low-value targets.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: 25/37, 237 Yards, 2 TD, INT | 5 Carries, 2 Yards
While it wasn’t perfect, this was a third straight acceptable outing for Nix after looking completely lost in the early goings of the season. Nix pushed the ball downfield a bit more in this contest and found both Pat Bryant and Courtland Sutton for scores to give the Broncos a much-needed win. Nix will be a startable option against the Raiders in Week 11, so if you lost Lamar Jackson for the season or are facing a similar QB dilemma, it wouldn’t hurt to grab Nix during the Broncos’ bye as a proactive move.
Running Back
Jonah Coleman: 17 Carries, 57 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 31 Yards
With RJ Harvey out, Coleman has stepped into the lead back role and has largely performed his duties admirably. Coleman significantly outsnapped and outcarried Dobbins and was also the team’s preferred pass-catching back. While the latter might not remain true when Harvey returns to the fold, Coleman has shown enough to be a solid starter most weeks on the RB2-flex borderline. Even though he nearly lost a fumble in the red zone, the team continued to give him high-value touches. While Coleman does look like a solid rest-of-season option, it’s also a great opportunity to sell relatively high as the Broncos head into their bye week.
Jonah Coleman gets the @Broncos back in the end zone!
DENvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/E9pCf15J6A— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
J.K. Dobbins: 4 Carries, 18 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Five total touches on just 11 snaps for the veteran. It doesn’t really matter that Dobbins was more efficient than Coleman in a small sample size — the trends over the past few weeks clearly show that coach Sean Payton is ready to roll with the rookie. Dobbins is borderline droppable in 12-team leagues unless he unexpectedly gets moved ahead of this week’s trade deadline.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Pat Bryant: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 56 Yards, TD
It was a good sign to see Bryant play in 68% of snaps in his first week back from injury, and an even better sign to see him lead the Broncos is receiving yards and find the end zone. His touchdown was nice, but my favorite play of his was the block he threw on Coleman’s touchdown run. That’s the kind of toughness and effort that earns you extra opportunities. Bryant appears to have picked up right where he left off and should be a priority target on waivers this week. Even if Waddle returns in time for Week 11, Bryant looks like the team’s WR2 and his presence opens up this offense.
Bo Nix's 2nd TD pass of the game goes to Pat Bryant!
DENvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/wYsZP7pChU— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
Courtland Sutton: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 45 Yards, TD
The targets and receptions were season highs for Sutton, who took advantage of a larger role after Jaylen Waddle left with a concussion. Sutton was also the target on a failed 2-point attempt. Sutton isn’t as prominent a deep threat as he’s been in seasons past, but he still can juke defenders out of their shoes, as he showed on the route for his touchdown reception. Sutton still feels like a low-floor, low-ceiling option moving forward, and I’d rather roster Bryant.
Jaylen Waddle: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 22 Yards
Waddle left this contest early with a concussion and did not return. If there’s a silver lining, the timing couldn’t be much better with the Broncos heading into their bye week, so Waddle will have some extra time to clear protocol before Denver’s next game. Monitor his practice participation ahead of Week 11.
Evan Engram: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 33 Yards
Troy Franklin: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 31 Yards
Adam Trautman: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
Marvin Mims Jr.: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 0 Yards | 1 Carry, 5 Yards
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 28/39, 276 Yards, 3 TD, INT | 1 Carry, 13 Yards, Fumble (Lost)
While Young did everything he could to keep the Panthers in this game, fans will remember his costly turnovers late in the game more than the three touchdowns he threw prior. To be fair, Young’s interception was an extremely unlikely circus catch off his receiver’s arm, which the officials controversially ruled that Payton challenged before the Panthers got their next snap off. His fumble that sealed the game was entirely his fault and was a perfect microcosm of the highs and lows we’ve seen from Young this season. While he won’t have every-week starter appeal, Young will be a perfectly serviceable streamer in plus matchups, such as next week’s tilt against the Saints.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: 16 Carries, 79 Yards | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 17 Yards
Although he didn’t find the end zone, this is the same Hubbard we’ve grown accustomed to in 2026, and that’s a great thing. Hubbard once again handled a large workload and broke several tackles throughout the afternoon, further cementing his place as one of the more reliable workhorses in the league. The good news for his managers is that a plus matchup looms on the horizon against the Saints in Week 10, so Hubbard should have a great opportunity to get back into the end zone.
Trevor Etienne: 2 Carries, 7 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Darren Waller: 10 Targets, 8 Receptions, 90 Yards, TD
With Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss patrolling the Broncos’ secondary, the Panthers opted to use their tight ends to exploit the middle of the field, and for the most part, the plan worked. Waller led the team in all receiving categories after receiving just six total targets across the team’s previous three games. While Waller has a few spike weeks to his name in 2026, he also has a handful of huge duds, making him a risky option moving forward. I’d prefer to take the plunge on someone like Chig Okonkwo, who has seen more consistent volume over the past several weeks.
Darren Waller gets UP to snag the TD!
DENvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FTf5Lqayd2— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
Tetairoa McMillan: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 56 Yards, TD
While it isn’t anything too flashy, McMillan’s stat line is more than respectable against Denver’s tough secondary. What’s more valuable for McMillan is that he’s separated himself from Coker as the team’s top option over the past few weeks. With Young and the Panthers looking to come out of a mini-slump against a few tough opponents, McMillan is a prime buy-low target if managers are frustrated with the meager yardage totals.
Bryce to T-Mac and it's not over yet in Charlotte
DENvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/AsmEct0FD7— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026
Jalen Coker: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 29 Yards | 1 Carry, -3 Yards
Coker’s role in this offense has changed over the past several weeks, and it hasn’t been for the better. Instead of getting more downfield looks, Coker has been used on shorter routes, posting stat lines reminiscent of Wan’Dale Robinson during his less productive seasons in New York. We’ve seen the talent this season, but Carolina needs to use his field-stretching ability more if he’s going to be trusted as a fantasy asset again.
John Metchie III: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 40 Yards
Tommy Tremble: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 24 Yards, TD
Mitchell Evans: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Brycen Tremayne: 1 Target, 0 Receptions
Tremble was a lesser beneficiary than Waller in the Panthers’ tight end-centric game plan, but he also found the end zone and tied for second on the team in targets. He and the other receivers in this group are still well off the fantasy radar.