After some miserable years for the Carolina Panthers, a three-game win streak should be cause for celebration, but Bryce Young’s ankle injury has dampened the mood ahead of Sunday’s visit from the Buffalo Bills.
Though Carolina held off the New York Jets at the weekend, this Week 8 showdown is a big step up in quality against a Super Bowl contender, and my early Bills vs Panthers predictions expect a rested Buffalo team to let loose behind a monster Josh Allen outing.
Read on for my NFL picks and betting angles ahead of this Sunday, October 26 battle.
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Bills vs Panthers predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early Bills vs Panthers spread pick: Bills -7.5
The Buffalo Bills have had two weeks to digest back-to-back losses, while watching the New England Patriots surge to the top of the AFC East. If that doesn’t refocus the Buffalo locker room, nothing will.
I see a backlash brewing here, and that starts with more offensive spark for the visitors. The Bills should have Dalton Kincaid back for this trip to Carolina, and it’s up to Allen to get more out of Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir, who combined for only 44 receiving yards last time out.
While the Carolina Panthers were sharp defensively against the winless Jets on Sunday, they’ve had trouble pressuring the quarterback this year, with just 11 sacks through seven contests. That spells trouble against Allen.
This is no small number to lay on the road, but I’m riding with the Bills, especially given the Panthers’ quarterback uncertainty. Buffalo has covered the spread in its last four meetings with Carolina, and the visitors are 6-3 SU in their last nine outings.
The Bills’ run defense — allowing 156.3 ypg — is the biggest red flag against a punishing Panthers run game, but Buffalo will have defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi available again here to address those struggles.
Ultimately, though, this is a vote of confidence in Allen to put up eye-popping numbers and ensure his team doesn’t lose ground in a tight division race.
Early Bills vs Panthers total pick: Over 47.5
I’m expecting big things from Allen here, coming off a bye week where offensive coordinator Joe Brady has surely been revamping the playbook.
While Buffalo may eventually make a splash in the receiver trade market, there’s already enough talent on the roster to power an Over in Carolina on Sunday.
The Bills scored 30+ points in each of their first four games this season before sputtering in their last two outings, and this feels like a get-right spot for the offense — with James Cook in line for an even bigger workload.
Despite all the doom and gloom, Allen ranks just outside the Top 10 in completion rate this year, and only three teams are averaging more than Buffalo’s 27.8 ppg.
Swapping out Young for Andy Dalton would likely cause a little disruption for the Panthers, but it’s not as if they’ve been slinging the ball all over the field.
Young has thrown for fewer than 200 passing yards in his last five games, yet the offense still put up 30 points against the Dallas Cowboys and 27 points against the Miami Dolphins. In short, Dalton is qualified to keep the ship afloat.
The Over is 7-3 in Carolina’s past 10 contests, and this is the lowest O/U line for the Bills since Week 2. I see both offenses showing up on Sunday and nailing this pick.
Bills vs Panthers odds
- Bills vs. Panthers spread: Panthers +7.5
- Bills vs. Panthers moneyline: Bills -390, Panthers +310
- Bills vs. Panthers Over/Under: 47.5
How to watch Bills vs Panthers
- Bills vs. Panthers matchup
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
- City: Charlotte, NC
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV: DAZN
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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