Can Carolina Panthers get second win in clash vs. Indianapolis Colts? What NFL experts say

The Panthers will look to produce their first winning streak of the Frank Reich era Sunday when they host the Indianapolis Colts at Bank of America Stadium.

Reich, who served as the head coach of the Colts from 2018 to 2022, will look to one-up his old squad after producing a 15-13 home win over the Houston Texans in Week 8. Reich handed over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown during the bye week, and the results, at least partially, led to the first win of the season.

Now, Carolina will clash with the Colts, who own the worst scoring defense in the NFL. Indianapolis is also without fourth overall pick, quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury last month.

Gardner Minshew will get the start at quarterback for Indianapolis as he has throughout the Colts’ current three-game losing streak. Minshew has thrown five interceptions in his past three starts.

Charlotte Observer predictions for Panthers-Colts

Keeping accountable, Scott Fowler leads the pack with a 6-1 record. Mike Kaye, Langston Wertz Jr. and Alex Zietlow are all 4-3.

Scott Fowler: Colts 24, Panthers 23. By now, I am sure Panthers fans are asking me what “The Office” boss Michael Scott once asked Toby: “Why are you the way that you are?”

Here I am, picking against the Panthers again, for the eighth straight time this season, even though they won last week and had a big-time fourth-quarter drive to do so.

Let’s just say I’ve been burned too often over the past five years thinking the Panthers are “hot,” that they are “about to start stacking wins,” that “it’s all coming together now” and so on. Let’s see Carolina win two in a row first. If they do, I promise I’ll pick Carolina to win at Chicago Nov. 9th.

Mike Kaye: Panthers 31, Colts 27. The Panthers have some momentum after last week’s win over the Texans. The building feels a bit more at ease this week, and the Colts are allowing 28 points per game on defense and have lost three consecutive games. Reich is very familiar with both Colts head coach Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, as well as most of the Indianapolis roster. But having said all of that, this one is on Bryce Young, who is due for a monster game at some point. This is the game for Young, as he will eclipse 300 yards for the first time in his career and toss at least two touchdowns.

Langston Wertz Jr.: Panthers 31, Colts 21. The Colts have allowed an average of 37.6 points per game in their three-game losing streak that will stretch to four in Charlotte. Carolina won a nail biter last week when Bryce Young started looking more like the Bryce Young from Alabama, who could extend plays and keep drives going. This week, the game won’t come down to the final drive and the Panthers will start a little winning streak.

Alex Zietlow: Colts 21, Panthers 14. Let’s be clear: The Colts have lost their last three and are largely beating themselves — committing turnovers of all varieties and allowing unheralded offenses to score in the high 30s. And let’s be clear about this, too: The Panthers are riding high off their first win, one that came down to the wire, yes, but was also largely mistake-free. But something about this matchup makes me resist choosing the Panthers to win nonetheless. I think the Colts throw the proverbial kitchen sink at Carolina to get back on track and it ultimately leads to a low-scoring Indianapolis win.

What ESPN, CBS Sports, The Ringer experts believe

ESPN: ESPN’s talent has voted, and they are four to three in favor of the Panthers.

CBS: Pete Prisco is predicting a three-point win for the Panthers at home.

The Ringer: Sheil Kapadia is taking the Panthers as +2.5 home underdogs.