* The skinny: Some have been able to move the ball against the Carolina defense in the run game - four of the past five teams have rushed for at least 130 yards. But because Carolina holds the ball so long with its run game, most offenses aren't patient enough to keep pounding. The Broncos are battered in the backfield and have no real short-yardage threat at tailback at the moment. Fullbacks Andrew Pinnock or Spencer Larsen might have to be the third-and-short options.

* It's a fact: In their three losses this season, the Panthers surrendered 119, 142 and 133 rushing yards to Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

ADVANTAGE: Broncos

When the Broncos pass the ball

* The skinny: Because of the injuries in the backfield, the Broncos have leaned far more on the pass than they have at any time in Mike Shanahan's tenure - they are throwing on slightly more than 60 percent of their offensive plays. The key will be to take care of the ball because since the start of the 2002 season, the Panthers have the third-most takeaways in the league and are tied for eighth in interceptions during that period. With two cornerbacks who each weigh at or more than 200 pounds - Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas - the Panthers also have one of the biggest secondaries in the league.

* It's a fact: Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has thrown nine interceptions in the five Broncos' losses combined.

ADVANTAGE: Broncos

When the Panthers run the ball

* The skinny: The Panthers have it all. They have power up front, speed in the backfield and the commitment to keep thumping away at a defense until they break down an opponent's front seven. And with running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers will run from anywhere on the field and in almost any down-and-distance situation. The Broncos will have to be particularly stout in the middle of the field. The Panthers have run most often right over the center - three times more than any other place in the formation this season - and have averaged slightly more than 5.2 yards a rush on those plays.

* It's a fact: In their past five games, the Panthers have averaged at least 4.7 yards a carry in all five and at least 5.2 yards per carry in four of the five.

ADVANTAGE: Panthers

When the Panthers pass the ball

* The skinny: The Panthers have the proven look on offense in that they continue to hammer away at a defense in the run game, forcing the defense to push the safeties up toward the line of scrimmage. Carolina then tosses one over the top to receiver Steve Smith. Smith already has constructed his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, is averaging an offense-rattling 17.6 yards a catch and there are few players better in traffic than he is. On the other side, Muhsin Muhammad doesn't have the speed to consistently get away, but he's so big, he routinely shields the ball from the quicker defenders.

* It's a fact: Smith, with 61 catches, and Muhammad, with 50, have combined to grab 54.4 percent of Jake Delhomme's completions this season.

ADVANTAGE: Panthers

Special teams

* The skinny: The Panthers are solid on all fronts and understand the field-position game. John Kasay has missed only one kick for the Panthers this season - it was a 54-yard attempt in Oakland - and Rhys Lloyd leads the league with 23 touchbacks on kickoffs. Mark Jones gives them a steady option in the return game and is sixth in the league in punt returns. The Broncos have surrendered some big plays in this unit but still have shown some explosiveness. They might need Matt Prater to power the offense in this one because the Panthers make it tough to finish drives with touchdowns.

* It's a fact: Lloyd, who was born in England, has been waived eight times in the previous three seasons, including seven by the Baltimore Ravens.

ADVANTAGE: Panthers

Intangibles

* The skinny: The Broncos will need all their home-away-from-home mojo. The Panthers sport the kind of run-first offense that has given the Broncos fits and Carolina is among the league's best at forcing turnovers. Add in the fact the Panthers are 7-0 at home this year and it's a tough list for the Broncos to overcome.

Jeff Legwold's prediction: Panthers 31-20