Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers Picks and Prediction for Sunday, October 26, 2025

The Buffalo Bills (4-2, 2nd AFC East) return from a bye on Sunday to play the Carolina Panthers (4-3, 2nd NFC South) on the road at Bank of America Stadium. Before having a bye in Week 7, Buffalo lost to the Atlanta Falcons 24-14 for its second consecutive defeat. Buffalo trails first-place New England by a half-game in the AFC East. Carolina defeated the New York Jets 13-6 last Sunday for its third straight win and fourth win in the last five. Carolina is second in the NFC North, one game behind first-place Tampa Bay. Buffalo has seven players listed as questionable and several who are also on injured reserve. The big name for Carolina is QB Bryce Young, who is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury. Make sure to read this in-depth Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers prediction. Game day excitement! Explore our NFL picks for the Buffalo Bills at the Carolina Panthers prediction and stay on top.

Buffalo needs to find its offense following two consecutive losses

The Buffalo Bills have had a bye to regroup offensively after losing to the New England Patriots 23-20 and the Atlanta Falcons 24-14 in consecutive weeks after opening the season with four straight wins. Buffalo is ranked third in total offense at 378.3 yards per game, leading the NFL in rushing at 151.0 yards per game, but has committed six turnovers and is only 11th in passing, averaging 227.3 yards per game. Buffalo's defense is 15th in yards allowed at 323.5 yards per game. Buffalo is second best in passing yardage allowed at 167.2 yards per game, but 31st or next to last in rushing yards allowed at 156.3 yards per game.

Buffalo's key to success is its quarterback, Josh Allen, who has 1,397 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Allen has been sacked 12 times in six games. James Cook III has 537 yards rushing with five touchdowns, which is nearly 300 yards more than the second leading rusher, Allen (254 yards). Tight end Dalton Kincaid has 287 yards receiving with three touchdowns to lead Buffalo in both categories. He was dealing with an oblique injury and missed the Falcons' loss. They also lost WR Joshua Palmer in that game due to an ankle injury. Palmer will miss the Panthers' game with a knee and ankle injury, while Kincaid is listed as questionable after being limited in practice on Friday. The biggest question on defense is whether Matt Milano (knee) returns and if DT Larry Ogunjobi and DE Michael Hoecht will play after serving six-game suspensions for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Four players for Buffalo have 234 or more yards receiving. Linebacker Terrel Bernard is the leading tackler with 30. Four players for Buffalo each have 2.0 quarterback sacks to lead the team. As a team, Buffalo has 15 quarterback sacks and two interceptions.

Carolina looks for its fourth straight win but may have to play without QB Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers have won three straight games but may play without starting quarterback Bryce Young, who hurt his ankle last Sunday and did not participate in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He's listed as doubtful for this game, though all signs indicate that he will sit out. That means that Carolina will turn to veteran signal caller Andy Dalton, who is a three-time Pro Bowler but at the age of 38 does not have the mobility that Young does under center.

Carolina is 19th in total offense, averaging 326.7 yards per game, led by their running game, which averages 140.1 yards per game, which is third. Carolina's defense is 7th overall in yards allowed at 295.7 yards per game. while 8th and rushing yards allowed and 10th in passing yards allowed.

Young has thrown for 1,288 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions and has been sacked 11 times in seven games. Andy Dalton has 118 yards passing with one touchdown and has been sacked once. Last season, Dalton played in six games for the Panthers and completed 66.3% of his passes for 989 yards with seven TDs and six picks. Rico Dowdle leads Carolina with 551 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Chuba Howard adds 248 yards on the ground. Carolina's leading receiver is Tetarioa McMillan with 413 yards and a pair of touchdown receptions. Linebacker Christian Rozeboom is the leading tackler with 50. End Derrick Brown is the leader in quarterback sacks with 3.0. As a team, Carolina has made 11 quarterback sacks and intercepted six passes.

Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers Pick

Spread Pick for Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers

• Buffalo Bills -7.5 ( units)

The Carolina Panthers have won three straight but are likely to play without their starting quarterback, Bryce Young, who sprained his ankle last Sunday and did not appear in practice on Wednesday. Buffalo is coming off a bye week and will be rested when visiting Carolina. The Bills have had an extra week to regroup following two consecutive losses. Buffalo is first in rushing, but faces a tough Carolina defense against the run, and therefore is likely to pass more often with Josh Allen. If Carolina does not have Young under center, the Panthers are likely to run more often, as backup Andy Dalton will likely be limited to short passes in the flat or over the middle. Although Buffalo is poor against the run and Carolina is one of the best at running the ball, Buffalo's defense can stack the line of scrimmage against the run and force Carolina's Dalton to beat them through the air.

Over/Under Pick for Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers

• Under 46.5 ( units)

Buffalo struggled a bit on offense leading up to its bye week, scoring an average of just 17 points per game in its last two games. Carolina is 23rd in scoring at 20.7 points per game and a solid 13th in points allowed at 21.7 points per game. Carolina is likely to play without its starting quarterback and, therefore, likely to be more conservative with more plays running the ball, which will take more time off the clock, create fewer possessions for both teams, and result in the total finishing under.