4 key Panthers matchups to watch vs. the Lions in Week 11

Jeremy Chinn vs. D’Andre Swift

The matchup between two highly promising rookies is going to be crucial in the overall outcome of this one. Jeremy Chinn has been a revelation this season after the Carolina Panthers made a bold move to trade back into the second round and take the do-it-all defender at No. 64 overall. But how he handles the increasing threat of running back D’Andre Swift will be crucial.

Swift has seen his overall influence substantially increase in recent weeks. The Lions are finally unleashing their first-year back and this is something that really aided their cause during a narrow win over the Washington Football Team.

Carolina has endured some problems stopping the run, both this season and last. If Swift gets to the season level often, as expected, then the onus will be on Chinn getting to the point of attack quickly and limit his progress.

This is nothing the former Southern Illinois standout isn’t capable of.

Chinn has been a driving force for the Panthers in the nine games he’s played this season on his way to 70 combined tackles, 40 solo tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, five passes defended, one interception, and three pressures. But it is his ability to inspire others around him despite his tender age that has perhaps been the most impressive of all.

Swift – who was also a second-round pick at No. 35 – has 334 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and a 4.7 yards-per-carry average through ten weeks. He is also a substantial threat in the passing game and has 606 all-purpose yards to his name.