NFL Football
2025-10-26 - Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 8
Sunday 26th October 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
5pm (British Time)
Preview
There are a couple of battles between teams from the AFC East and NFC South in Week 8 of the NFL season and this is one that features two teams with winning records.
Not many would have predicted the Carolina Panthers (4-3) to be above 0.500 after seven games, but three wins in a row means they are only a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.
They are hosting the Buffalo Bills (4-2) who have lost two in a row and allowed the New England Patriots to move past them in the AFC East. The Bills were on a Bye in Week 7, which is a good chance to get players back to full health and to iron out any issues they were having in those defeats.
Getting things going on the ground would really help, but the Bills are facing the Carolina Defensive Line who have really been in good form during this winning run. Suffice to say that it should be noted that they have not exactly played the best teams in the NFL in that run of victories, but there will still be a confidence about this Defensive Line as they look to keep the Buffalo Bills behind the chains.
Josh Allen is an elite Quarter Back, but he has not always been given a lot of time in the pocket and that has hindered the passing game.
The Bills should still be able to have success in this one, but this Panthers Defensive unit have been playing at a good level and that should give the home team an opportunity to keep this one competitive.
Injuries have been a big thing in the NFL this season and in high-profile positions and the Carolina Panthers are going to have to give the ball to backup Quarter Back Andy Dalton in place of Bryce Young.
It will mean having an extra lean on the running game, which has been imposing itself on recent opponents and the Panthers Offensive Line should get Rico Dowdle going. There have been injury problems in Defensive areas for the Buffalo Bills, but the team headed into the Bye Week having given up considerable yards on the ground and the Defensive Line may struggle to stop the Panthers consistently.
Andy Dalton's experience is important, although the Panthers have perhaps not been able to find any consistency in the passing game due to some of the inexperienced Receivers on the roster. However, playing from third and manageable should be a big edge for the veteran to exploit and the Carolina Panthers can make use of the points being given to them.
Having just come out of the Bye Week should mean the Bills are focused, even with the Kansas City Chiefs on deck, and especially after losing a couple of games in succession.
They should win on the road, but Carolina are playing with some confidence that could keep them in this game.
Prediction
Take the points on offer with the home underdog, even if they are going in with the veteran backup Quarter Back.
The Pick :
Carolina Panthers 20-23 Buffalo Bills
