New England Patriots
The Panthers have a couple of promising gamers on their roster regardless of their poor document over the previous couple of years.
The Patriots will say whats up to an NFC foe for the primary time in 2025 after they host the Panthers on Sunday.
Similar to New England, Carolina has been one of many league’s worst groups during the last couple of seasons because it’s had 5 or fewer wins in every of the final two years. However the Panthers have been in a position to decide up a win in dominating trend final week, shutting out the Falcons in a 30-0 victory.
Because the Patriots search to enhance to 2-2, listed below are 5 issues to know concerning the Panthers.
Bryce Younger has been a little bit of a blended bag as of late.
Younger has had one of many extra attention-grabbing begins to a profession for a No. 1 total decide. He struggled mightily as a rookie in 2023 earlier than getting benched early in 2024, however Younger turned the Panthers’ beginning quarterback later within the season and had some strong moments. He threw for 1,583 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions to go along with 5 speeding touchdowns in his remaining seven begins final yr.
This yr, Younger hasn’t been too stellar. He’s thrown for 603 yards, 4 touchdowns, and three interceptions to go along with a speeding rating by means of the primary three video games. He didn’t contribute a lot to the Panthers’ win over the Falcons final week, throwing for simply 121 yards.
Younger hasn’t had a lot success throwing the ball down the sphere this yr, both. He’s solely accomplished 12 of 36 passes the place the ball traveled at the least 10 yards for 247 yards and two interceptions, per Professional Soccer Focus.
Their first-round decide has regarded good to this point, however is banged up.
Younger’s life is likely to be made a bit harder on Sunday as a result of accidents surrounding the Panthers. Huge receiver Tetairoa McMillan is reportedly expected to play, however he’s coping with a calf damage. So is lead operating again Chuba Hubbard.
McMillan, who the Panthers took with the eighth total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, has been a standout to this point in Carolina. His stats may not essentially pop at first blush (216 receiving yards, zero touchdowns), however his 15.4 yards per reception is the eighth-best mark within the league amongst receivers who’ve at the least 10 catches this season.
McMillan’s huge 6-foot-5 body additionally permits him to make some spotlight performs alongside the boundary. He did that in opposition to the Falcons final week.
If Christian Gonzalez does return for the Patriots on Saturday, a matchup in opposition to McMillan may find yourself being a problem.
Their offensive line is subpar.
After failing to sack Aaron Rodgers final week, this Sunday presents a possibility for the Patriots’ move rush to get again on monitor.
The Panthers’ offensive line hasn’t been among the many finest within the league this yr. Whereas they’re tied for eighth for fewest sacks allowed, the Panthers are twenty fourth in pass-block win charge (56 p.c) and ranked No. 21 in offensive play to this point this yr by Professional Soccer Focus.
Panthers beginning left sort out Ikem Ekwonu has given up 10 pressures this yr by means of two video games, which is tied for essentially the most amongst all offensive linemen who’ve performed in two video games this yr, per PFF.
There’s some purpose for Carolina’s less-than-stellar play alongside the offensive line. Beginning middle Austin Corbett and guard Robert Hunt suffered accidents unhealthy sufficient to put them on injured reserve in Week 2. So, they’ll miss Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Patriots.
They’ve one of many few finest defensive linemen within the league.
Whereas the Panthers may not be nice within the trenches on offense, they’ve the most effective trench gamers on the defensive aspect of the ball. Defensive sort out Derrick Brown has been among the many finest gamers at his place over the previous couple of years, though he missed nearly all the 2024 season as a result of a meniscus damage.
Brown hasn’t logged a sack but this yr, however his eight solo tackles are the eighth-most amongst all defensive linemen. In his final full season, Brown ranked first amongst all defensive linemen in run stops (53) and had 41 pressures, per PFF.
Outdoors of Brown, although, the remainder of the Panthers’ defensive entrance hasn’t been too nice. They’ve solely recorded one sack this yr, rating twenty eighth in move rush win charge (27 p.c) and thirtieth in run-stop win charge (26 p.c).
Additionally they have one of many sport’s finest cornerbacks as their secondary has gotten off to a powerful begin.
As Carolina’s move rush hasn’t been too stellar, its secondary has arguably been among the many finest within the league to start out the yr. It’s solely allowed 196.7 passing yards per sport, with its opponents’ quarterback ranking rating because the second-best mark within the league (66.7).
The Panthers’ secondary flexed their expertise in opposition to the Falcons final week, intercepting Michael Penix twice. Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade returned his decide for six.
However Jaycee Horn is the star of the Panthers’ secondary. The 2024 Professional Bowler has allowed simply six receptions on 15 targets for 67 yards to start out the yr, recording an interception of their Week 1 loss to the Jaguars.
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