Panthers schedule: 4 matchups to watch in week 1 clash with Raiders

Kawann Short vs Richie Incognito

Games in the early stages of the season are normally won or lost in the trenches as the skill positions get acclimatized to competitive action and improve elements of their game such as timing. The battle between defensive tackle Kawann Short and interior lineman Richie Incognito will undoubtedly have a huge say on the overall outcome of the contest.

The Carolina Panthers will be boosted considerably by the return of Short, whose 2019 season ended prematurely on injured reserve. He is expected to make a return to full health in time for the new campaign and is set to form what looks to be a formidable partnership alongside No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown.

He will come against a formidable adversary in week one in the form of Incognito, who has made the most out of what could have been his final chance to forge a successful career in the NFL. The Las Vegas Raiders deserve an enormous amount of credit for getting the offensive guard on the right track after a series of concerning off-the-field issues. And this has resulted in some exceptional production from a player who looks to be finally reaching his potential.

Both men are mammoth presences on their respective lines. There doesn’t appear to be a lot between them on paper, so it promises to be a fascinating clash between two big bodies who play the game with an old-school physical force.