Predictions, current odds, what to watch for, injury updates

The Carolina Panthers play the fourth game of their 2024 regular season today, hosting the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Let’s look at everything we know about this game, starting with the latest injury updates for both teams.

Carolina’s best work so far this season has been in the trenches, particularly on the offensive line. However, the Panthers could be missing some key starting players today. Left-back Damien Lewis is already out with an elbow injury. Meanwhile, right guard Robert Hunt (the team’s previous MVP) was a late addition to the injury report. He is listed as questionable because he has a hip problem. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson has a groin injury and is questionable, as is defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson (knee). Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (foot) is out for the second straight game. The team’s top defender, Derrick Brown, is injured after suffering a knee injury in the season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Cincinnati has its own issues on the defensive interior. Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) has been ruled out and BJ Hill (hamstring) is listed as doubtful. Right tackle Trent Brown is out this week and the season after suffering a knee injury on Monday night. Tight end Tanner Hudson and safety Daijahn Anthony are listed as questionable. Quarterback Joe Burrow is also on the injury report, but he was in full practice all week and is expected to struggle with his wrist issue all season.

According to the latest odds from Draft Kings Sportsbook, the Bengals are five-point favorites despite playing on the road. Cincinnati is certainly the more desperate team heading into this matchup. The Bengals started the year 0-3, but that doesn’t show what they’re capable of. They defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 to the finish, losing by just one point. They also lost by one possession each to New England and Washington. The Panthers celebrate their first win of the season. However, it faced a Las Vegas Raiders team that looks to be one of the worst in the league this year. Therefore the quotas make sense.

The biggest story for the Panthers right now is their dramatic transformation at quarterback. As Bryce Young watched from the sidelines, long-time veteran Andy Dalton delivered an incredible game last week, setting new standards for QB play this season. Dalton may be well past his prime, but he looked pretty darn good in his only start last year against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s possible that Dalton is having a late-career renaissance, similar to Geno Smith in recent years. If Dalton can put together another strong line today, that would be another good indicator of development.

At some point the standings will say what your team is, but that’s not the case this early in the season, and not for this particular Bengals team. Joe Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense looked incredibly sharp in their Monday night shootout against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. Meanwhile, their defense looked pretty hopeless. If another shootout happens today, the Bengals simply have more weapons than the Panthers, especially at wide receiver. Cincinnati 33, Carolina 30.

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