Down eight at Green Bay on Oct. 29, the Panthers had fourth-and-5 at midfield with 2:46 left. Quarterback Bryce Young threw short to receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and the pass fell incomplete.
Young was sacked six times that night. On Sunday the Carolina Panthers host the Denver Broncos, whose 23 sacks are tied for fourth in the NFL, according to the Panthers' game release. Carolina has allowed 23, tied for 25th. Defensive end Zach Allen leads Denver with 4.5.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers are 3-4 after two straight losses but lead the NFC South by a half-game over Atlanta and Tampa Bay, both 3-5, according to the NFL's standings. Denver is 6-2.
The line in front of Young is unsettled. Guard Damien Lewis (knee) is out, and guards Corey Bullock (quadriceps), Brady Christensen (hamstring) and Torricelli Simpkins III (ankle) are questionable, according to Friday's injury report. Head coach Dave Canales would not say Friday whether he will change the offensive line, though he said starting the same five as at Green Bay was possible. Young, listed with an ankle injury, was a full participant Thursday and Friday and has no game status.
It is also the first game since the Panthers parted ways with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Todd Wash, promoted from defensive line coach, will call the defense as interim coordinator. Carolina is allowing 27.6 points a game, 28th in the league, and 140.7 rushing yards, 30th. Its 11 sacks rank 28th.
"I believe in an attack front," Wash said Thursday. "I want to re-establish the line of scrimmage. I want to knock people back."
He will be without linebacker Bobby Okereke (foot), the team's leading tackler with 49, outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) and cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring), who was hurt at Green Bay. Cornerback Marco Wilson, who started at Green Bay after being elevated from the practice squad, "is going to be out there again," Canales said.
Denver's offense ranks 30th in yards, at 273 a game, and last in third-down conversions, at 29.7 percent, according to the release. Quarterback Bo Nix has thrown for 1,493 yards.
Young is slated to make his 52nd start, passing Steve Beuerlein for the third-most by a Panthers quarterback, behind Cam Newton (129) and Jake Delhomme (90), the team said. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has made all 13 of his field goal attempts.
Denver leads the regular-season series 6-2. The Panthers won the teams' last meeting in Charlotte, 23-10 in 2022.
The game is on CBS. CATS runs Game Day Express buses on routes 61x, 64x and 177, starting 2½ hours before kickoff; the fare is $3 each way.