The Buffalo Bills (4-2) and Carolina Panthers (4-3) face off in Week 8 on Sunday, Oct 26. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The game will broadcast on FOX.
The Bills are favored by -7 on the spread over the Panthers (Bills -7); the over/under is 46 points. The Bills are -390 moneyline favorites and the Panthers are +310 underdogs.
Will the Bills bounce back after two straight losses? Find my Bills vs Panthers prediction for today's Week 8 game below.
Bills vs Panthers Prediction
- Bills vs Panthers pick: Bills -7
My Bills vs Panthers best bet is on Buffalo to cover the spread. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Bills vs Panthers Odds
| Bills Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -115 | 46 -110o / -110u | -390 |
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -105 | 46 -110o / -110u | +310 |
Bills vs Panthers Week 8 Preview
Bills Betting Preview: Bounce-Back Spot
With more than 10 days to prepare, the Bills are 7-3 against the spread (ATS) since Josh Allen took over as their franchise quarterback in 2018.
I am expecting a bounce-back performance from a Bills team that undoubtedly will be playing inspired football after having to sit on the thought of their two consecutive losses during their bye week.
The Bills defense ranks 26th in DVOA through six games, but this matchup with the Panthers will be easier than some of the previous offenses they had the challenge of stopping.
The Bills rank last in the league in yards per rush allowed at 5.7, but outside of carries from Bijan Robinson and Derrick Henry, that number improves dramatically to 4.7 yards per carry.
While that doesn’t make the Bills' rush defense even league average, Dave Canales and the Panthers’ offensive staff insist on Chuba Hubbard playing the majority of snaps for the Carolina backfield. Hubbard has yet to force a single missed tackle this season.
The Bills aren’t the only team who have enjoyed success with extra rest and prep time.
In the entirety of Action Labs’ database, road favorites off their bye week in October, November or December are 79-55-4 ATS, covering at a 59% rate.
When those road favorites are favored by 6 or more points, they have been even better against the number, covering 63.2% of the time.
Panthers Betting Preview: Questionable Coaching
The Panthers' rushing attack has feasted on three very poor defenses in the Jets, Cowboys and Dolphins.
Furthermore, almost all of their production on the ground has been generated by Rico Dowdle, who will only be playing every other possession in this game. The combination of this poor coaching decision and the Bills having extra time to solidify their defensive gap responsibility should force Andy Dalton into passing situations on third down.
The Bills have allowed just 54 passing first downs this season — the third-fewest in the league — and they have generated a 43% pressure rate with their pass rush, which is the second-highest mark. If they can put Dalton behind the sticks and force him into clear passing situations, their chances of success will increase substantially.
The Panthers defense has played well in recent weeks, but I am still skeptical they can impress in the same manner versus an upper-echelon quarterback like Josh Allen.
In Carolina’s two tilts against some of the league’s best, Drake Maye and Dak Prescott combined to average 9.0 yards per pass attempt with five touchdown passes and zero interceptions. More importantly, the Panthers allowed 76.4% of the passes in those two games to be completed, and they generated just one sack.
Carolina ranks last in the NFL in defensive pressure rate. Obviously, failing to pressure Allen will be disastrous for the Panthers defense.
Allen has a 125.1 passer rating when kept clean this year, with nine touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Allen has actually been bothered by pressure this season, but Carolina doesn’t have the personnel to create the havoc needed to slow down the reigning NFL MVP.
Bills vs Panthers Prediction, Betting Analysis
It remains to be seen if Andy Dalton provides a boost to the Panthers’ passing attack in the place of Bryce Young, but I am not nearly as confident as some that it will make a difference.
The Panthers were 1-4 with Dalton at the helm last season as he averaged 6.2 yards per attempt. In the context of the 2025 season, that would put him right around the likes of Justin Fields and Jake Browning.
I will happily lay the points with Buffalo in this spot.
Pick: Bills -7 (bet to -115); Bills -7.5 (-110 or better)
Spread
As mentioned, I like the Bills to cover the spread today.
Moneyline
I don't see value on either side of the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm also staying away from game total.
