Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. – TV: FOX, Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale.
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This week 2 matchup between the Super Bowl losing Carolina Panthers and the controversial San Francisco 49ers has a little bit of everything to keep all football fans interested.
That unbelievable defense of San Francisco was the only squad to pitch a shutout during week one when they got a huge win at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
This is now an open thread! When you look back at our run previous year (to the Super Bowl) what made us so unsafe is defenses didn’t know where the ball was going. Or do you think the Panthers will explode all over the 49ers?
The first-year 49ers coach expressed surprise Newton ran 11 times against the Broncos, and said he amped-up preparation for the game’s toughest running quarterback because of that. So the Panthers need to shore up their assignments on run plays, forcing QB Blaine Gabbert to beat them. Whenever Cam Newton is Cam Newton, he needs to be in lineups. OK? OK. Brooks has recorded 5 1/2 sacks in four career games against Carolina. While linebacker Luke Kuechly led the defensive charge with 10 tackles and will look to continue his defensive presence. He’s an RB2/flex for Week 2, but after C.J. Anderson, who rushed 20 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. In the 49ers, Carolina faces a similar defense coming off a shutout. The starting lineup at Carolina will likely include only four offensive players and six defenders who were in the same spots a year ago at Pittsburgh. Before he came to Carolina, Ginn played three seasons with the 49ers, who didn’t see him as much more than a returner. With that being said, Kelvin Benjamin showed that he hasn’t missed a step, and I would expect him to be utilized heavily coming off a spectacular game against the Broncos. Questionable: S Marcus Cromartie (ankle), CB Chris Davis (hamstring), CB Keith Reaser (ankle), G Andrew Tiller (ankle).
The Panthers are strong on both sides of the ball, and feature NFL MVP Cam Newton at quarterback. The Panthers have won 13 straight games at home, the longest streak in the NFL. Barring a miracle performance by Blaine Gabbert, the Panthers will be able to secure this game handily.
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Lest we ever accuse the National Football League schedule-maker of not having a sense of humor, the 49ers this season again find themselves heading east in Week 2 for a morning start against a team that had 10 days to rest up and prepare for them after playing in the season-opening Thursday-nighter the week before.
