Carolina Panthers: Keys to game against the New England Patriots

Getting pressure on the quarterback

The Carolina Panthers have to get pressure on the New England quarterbacks. They did not do that against the Buffalo Bills, and the cost them. Buffalo’s quarterbacks were able to sit back in the pocket, take their time, and make their reads. They really had no problems getting the ball to the receivers. That needs to change for the Panthers on Thursday.

For starters, New England’s group of quarterbacks always seem made a play. Although he missed the first two games of the preseason, Tom Brady will ready to go. For his part, Jarett Stidham had a great game against Tennessee. He threw for 193 yards and a touchdown while maintaining a 73.3 completion percentage. He did make a couple of risky throws, but other than that, he had a great game. He has had a solid preseason and will look to continue on Thursday.

The Carolina Panthers put together a solid pass-rushing effort in the opening preseason game against the Chicago Bears, and they need to get back to that. They were aggressive, ferocious, and they were ready to attack on that side of the ball. That was missing last Friday. They seemed a little more unprepared. They need to get to the quarterback on Thursday, or else it will be a repeat of last week and New England will carve them up.