Panthers host Patriots: Four Keys to the game

The third preseason game for the Panthers will be tomorrow at Bank of America Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will have plenty of exciting storylines for Panthers and Patriot fans.

The third game of the preseason is often referred to as the “dress rehearsal”. The starters will see the most action of any preseason game so this the best opportunity to see how the first unit is playing before the regular season. The Panthers will be going against the best competition they have faced this year on both sides of the ball.

Cam Newton:

There really hasn’t been much talk in the offseason about last year’s league MVP except for the negativity surrounding his post Super Bowl press conference. Newton has always been committed to becoming a better football player and person. He has improved every year and I doubt that this year will be any different. Cam getting more reps is a chance to see the MVP really shine against a good Patriots defense. With Kelvin Benjamin back and the emergence of Devin Funchess we should see an explosive passing attack. In the preseason game against the Titans, Cam completed 8 of 12 and connected with Ted Ginn Jr. for a 61 yard touchdown. I am excited to see what Cam can do with the first team offense in a full half of football.

Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo

It is unclear if Tom Brady will play Friday night, Brady hurt his thumb in self described “silly accident” with a pair of scissors and missed out on the Patriots game against the Bears. Adding that Brady will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season the Patriots could want to see what Garoppolo can do with the first team. All of last year Garoppolo completed one pass on four attempts for six yards. Brady the future Hall of Famer would be a great test for the defense. If the Defensive line were unable to get any pressure on Brady he could possibly pick apart the young secondary. I think that Brady will probably sit tonight so that Garoppolo can get the work he needs but I would love to see Brady play it would be a great barometer of our defensive strengths and weakness.

Daryl Worley and Bene Benwikere

Both these corners have a ton of pressure on them. Benwikere is trying to come back after a less than stellar season that ended with a broken leg and Worley is a rookie. In a pass happy league that favors the receivers all cornerbacks will get torched, giving up big plays and touchdowns. The question is, how they respond. Worley got beat several times against the Titans, conversely Bene Benwikere, who is now the starting nickel corner had a great game and was the defensive MVP. It will be interesting to see how Worley responds and how much Benwikere plays.

Carolina’s defensive ends.

Currently Carolina starts Charles Johnson and Kony Ealy but there has not been any player step up and provided much needed depth. Mario Addison and Wes Horton are the favorites to be the third and fourth behind Johnson and Ealy. The only stats that any of the defensive ends have acquired in all of the preseason are a few tackles, with Addison for two and Johnson and Ealy, both with one. This really needs to improve for the Panthers and a stout offensive line of the Patriots will be a good test.

The Patriots offense will shed some light on the strengths and weakness of the Panthers’ defense. The Panthers offense can show some of their explosiveness in this game and get some confidence heading into the regular season.