Broncos at Panthers

3 THINGS TO WATCH

OPPORTUNITY FOR JAKE? Much has been made of the Broncos' shaky run defense and the Panthers' stout rushing offense. But Denver hasn't been too good defending the pass, either, allowing 231.8 yards per game (27th in the NFL). Denver will get a boost if cornerback Champ Bailey, who has been out with a groin injury, plays today.

BRONCOS' BACKFIELD HOSPITAL WARD: Cory Boyd (South Carolina) is the Broncos' latest starting running back this season, thanks to a rash of injuries that most recently hit Peyton Hillis (hamstring).

He has been on the practice squad since Nov. 4.

Six Broncos running backs have been injured this season.

PRESSURING JAY CUTLER: The Panthers have piled up 11 sacks in their past four games. However, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler hasn't been sacked in his past three games.

KEY TO THE GAME

CHRIS GAMBLE

PANTHERS CORNERBACK

Will likely get the call against Marshall, given Ken Lucas' struggles last week against Tampa Bay.

Gamble has just two interceptions this season, but he hasn't been getting thrown at much recently. That shows how much respect he's getting around the league.

BRANDON MARSHALL

BRONCOS RECEIVER

Tied for fourth in the league with 83 catches and seventh in yards (1,033). He's a big, (6 feet 4, 230 pounds), physical guy who makes catches over the middle. Marshall should be a popular target today, due to the Broncos' uncertainty at running back.

PANTHERS INSIDER

Here's an update on one of the Panthers' key offseason decisions -- moving Thomas Davis from strongside linebacker (across from where the tight end lines up) to the weakside. It has obviously paid off, at least for Davis.

Prior to this season, his best statistical year was 2007, when he had 85 tackles. He already has 110 this season. That's in large part because of the different duties each position entails. The weakside linebacker is more free to pursue the ball carrier without having to worry about shedding blockers near the line of scrimmage. The strongside linebacker is often concerned with fighting off the opposition's tight end.

Those strongside responsibilities now belong to Na'il Diggs, who in his first season as a full-time starter for the Panthers has been effective, with 56 tackles and one sack.

PANTHERS BY THE NUMBERS

1: NFL rank for touchbacks by kicker Rhys Lloyd (23), despite having just one such effort (in seven kicks) against Tampa

3-0: Record against AFC West, the Broncos' division.

5: NFL rank in receiving yards (1,079) by Steve Smith, despite missing first two games because of a suspension.

6: Consecutive games with at least one rushing touchdown by DeAngelo Williams.

25: Tackles needed by linebacker Jon Beason to break his franchise record of 160.

BRONCOS BY THE NUMBERS

-12: Turnover differential (31st in league).

3: Consecutive games without allowing a sack.

3-0: Record against Panthers' division, the NFC South.

7: Rookies who have played in every game (most in NFL).

47.9: Percent success rate on third down (second in NFL).

THE LIST

Kicker John Kasay is nearing another milestone. He needs four more field goals to tie Nick Lowery for seventh on the NFL's all-time list. Here are some facts about the last original Panther:

1. FIRST FIELD GOAL: Sept. 1, 1991; a 37-yarder against the New Orleans Saints for the team that drafted him, the Seattle Seahawks.

2. CAREER LONG: A 56-yarder for the Panthers against the Green Bay Packers in 1998. He kicked four field goals of 50-plus yards that season.

3. STREAKS: His 22 straight field goals in 2003 is a career and franchise record. He almost broke that earlier this season, but a 21-field goal streak ended when he missed a 54-yarder against Oakland.

4. DOWNSIDE: He has had seven field goals blocked (in 464 career attempts).