It’s here.
The regular season is upon us – only two days separate you from waking up, donning your favorite Panthers jersey – maybe it’s an oldie but a goodie like an 89 or maybe it’s a brand new 26; maybe you’re donning a Change The Culture t-shirt as you whittle the hours away until the Roaring Riot tailgate starts at noon – as you complete whatever superstitious tradition you have to that will ensure a Panthers win.
Like Cam Newton, you’ll likely do anything in your power to ensure that at 8PM Sunday, the Panthers are 1-0.
But the Dallas Cowboys, they of America’s Team, Jerry Jones, Ezekiel Elliott and the star on their helmets, stand in the Panthers way of their goal – it’s actually an excellent matchup for the Panthers, as the Cowboys’ impressive rushing game behind one of the best offensive lines in football might just be cancelled out by the Panthers talented front seven – get past Kawann Short, Dontari Poe and Julius Peppers up front and there’s Shaq Thompson and Luke Kuechly waiting behind them for Zeke. While Dak Prescott is a talented young quarterback, with neither Dez Bryant nor Jason Witten walking through those locker room doors, names like Allen Hurns and Cole Beasley don’t strike fear into the hearts of Panthers fans – although perhaps they should.
On the defensive side of the ball, DeMarcus Lawrence and Taco Charlton lead an impressive pass rush – can Christian McCaffrey lead up to the hype and break through the tackles he had trouble breaking last season? Can Cam Newton spread the ball to his multiple weapons? Will Greg Olsen look healthy and spry or another year older? What role will rookie DJ Moore or veteran CJ Anderson play?
For More Coverage From This Week, Click This Picture Of Mario Addison Not Appreciating Kawann Short’s Joke:
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For a quicker look, we’ll try to tackle all of those questions and more in our weekly five-part preview countdown:
Five Players To Watch
Ezekiel Elliott, RB
There may not be a tougher test in the league for a rush defense than Elliott, who has averaged over 100 yards per contest every time he’s suited up in the NFL and racked up 25 touchdowns in 26 games and while the Panthers haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since December of 2016 this is a real life version of a rock meeting a hard place. How Elliott is able to rack up yardage will likely be a harbinger of things to come as it doesn’t get easier over the next three weeks with Devonta Freeman, Joe Mixon and Saquon Barkley on the docket before the Panthers’ early bye.
Shaq Thompson, LB
Just over five weeks ago, Shaq Thompson was declaring 2018 the Year of 54 – he then had the training camp to back it up, showing athleticism and continued growth as he graduates to the next phase of his career in his fourth season; now he’s going to get his opportunity to prove it with Thomas Davis suspended for the first four games – Davis will be expected to take 100% of the snaps and how he is able to diagnose run plays and maintain his gap discipline will be one of the keys to keeping the Cowboys’ offense off the field. His ability to cover tight ends will shine, especially with the Cowboys starting UDFA Blake Jarwin as their primary pass catcher to replace future Hall of Famer Jason Witten – how the Panthers linebacking corps attacks and tackles at the point of the catch for shifty receivers like Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns and Terrence Williams will be key.
Christian McCaffrey, RB
Do 25-30 touches lie in the box score for McCaffrey, who’s expected to take the bulk of the workload at running back? Maybe, but that would be a huge jump from his 12.3 touches per game as a rookie – the Cowboys allowed 3.52 yards per carry with Sean Lee on the field and 4.88 when he missed time, and with Lee patrolling the middle – he’s no Luke Kuechly, but still – the Dallas run defense is nothing to scoff at. Can McCaffrey use an extra offseason of NFL weight training and experience and parlay it into a better effort between the tackles? The preseason seemed to indicate yes, but this isn’t the preseason anymore – look for CMC to have a huge impact out of the backfield as the Cowboys allowed 97 catches and 800 receiving yards to running backs in 2017, but it will be his inside runs that will draw the most interest.
Dontari Poe, DT
When Star Lotulelei left in free agency, many were curious how the Panthers would fill the hole in their defensive line; those questions were answered emphatically by Poe, who when healthy and at the right weight – which he crucially appears to be – is an absolute nightmare for offensive lines. Add to that the illness of All-Pro Travis Frederick forcing backup center Joe Looney into action and a rookie starting at left guard (albeit that will mostly affect Kawann Short, who is just as important along the defensive line) and a banged-up Zack Martin, who battled a knee injury this preseason, and Poe should make an impact both in the run game and rushing Dak Prescott to force him outside and into the graps of Mario Addison, Julius Peppers or Wes Horton.
Brett Maher, K
Photo Credit: Shanna Lockwood/USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys decided this offseason to move on from Dan Bailey in order to save almost $3m in salary cap room. Will that decision come back to haunt them if a key field goal or extra point is needed? Maybe.
Four Impactful Matchups
Greg Olsen vs. Kavon Frazier
With Xavier Woods set to miss this game at strong safety for the Cowboys, the responsibility of handling Greg Olsen up the seam and stepping down into run fits will fall to Kavon Frazier, a player who plays mostly special teams – picture the Colin Jones of the Cowboys – and is battling a left shoulder injury of his own. Look for Olsen to have a big game as he is a nightmare of a matchup for both Frazier and Jeff Heath, who may be handling coverage from the safety spot as well.
Cole Beasley vs. Captain Munnerlyn
Let’s just let Captain explain it:
“I’ve got my plate full this week – I think Cole Beasley is probably one of the top slot receivers in the NFL,” said Munnerlyn on Wednesday. “I know I’ve got to go out there and compete against that guy – I’ve got to limit him to catches and make plays on the football. He and Terrence Williams, those are both guys that have been around this offense for a long time and Beasley is definitely one of the best in the league at that position – he’s quick, he’s fast, he’s got all the tools.
“It’s definitely going to be a key matchup in the game and I’m excited for it – I think I’m one of the best, so it’s going to be a great matchup and I’m ready for it.”
There you go.
Panthers Right Tackle vs. DeMarcus Lawrence
Signs seem to pointing towards Williams starting on Sunday, he’s practiced in pads all week and seems to be feeling few effects from the dislocated patella and MCL tear that at first blush looked as if it might land Williams on IR to begin the year – instead, it’s Matt Kalil that is on IR and Taylor Moton has become an afterthought as the starter at left tackle as the narrative shifted to the right side. Will Williams be ready or will the team rely on the newly acquired Corey Robinson or even Amini Silatolu, who recently asserted that he was 100% after having surgery during training camp to repair a torn meniscus? Whomever starts, and it seems as if it will be Williams, look for Norv Turner to give him plenty of help with chip blocks from tight ends and even fullback Alex Armah. Moton will have to deal with Randy Gregory on the other side and the entire Dallas defensive line will likely be affecting Cam Newton all day; even three seconds should be enough for Newton to find one of his many weapons open.
Cam Newton vs. Sean Lee
As Cam goes, so go the Carolina Panthers. But the cerebral battle between Newton and Lee and the changes made at the line of scrimmage will play a huge part in what happens at Bank of America Stadium; plus, Lee may be able to limit Newton’s value as a runner – as much as that’s possible. If Newton makes quality decisions and takes the checkdowns where he needs to, the Panthers can ride a mistake-free offense to a victory; if Lee affects Newton, either in the pocket or in coverage, it could be a long day for the Panthers offense.
Up Next: Three Stats That Matter, Two Quotable Quotes and One Bold Prediction You’re Going to LOVE.
