How will the Carolina Panthers secondary cope with the Dallas offense?
It’s been all change within the Carolina Panthers’ secondary this week. Injuries to Jaycee Horn and Juston Burris along with a trade for former No. 9 overall selection C.J. Henderson means we’ll see a new look unit take the field at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.
Captain Donte Jackson must now take up an even bigger role as the leader of this group. Panthers fans will also likely get their first look at former Pro Bowl corner AJ Bouye as he was given an extra week to prepare with Carolina having a short period before the Week 3 matchup in Houston.
Henderson, who was traded on Monday, is expected to suit up in some capacity. But we may see more snaps for veteran Rashaan Melvin who was promoted to the active roster this week.
With Burris on the reserve/injured list, expect to see either Sean Chandler or Sam Franklin given the start alongside Jeremy Chinn.
Chinn is another who will now have to take a leadership role on this Panthers secondary with Burris going down. A challenge the supremely gifted player is more than ready for.
This Cowboys offense can test the best in the league – which at the minute the Panthers are one of defensively – but they’ll be looking to exploit the changes in Carolina’s secondary on Sunday and there will also be plenty of responsibility on the defensive front to generate significant pressure.
The matchup between two QB’s on the comeback
This is a battle of two quarterbacks on the comeback for completely different reasons.
Carolina Panthers signal-caller Sam Darnold is getting a fresh start after leaving the New York Jets. Looking at the struggles of new Zach Wilson, this could end up being career-defining for the No. 3 overall selection in 2018.
On the other side, Dak Prescott is on the comeback from a horrific ankle injury suffered in Week 5 of the 2020 season against the New York Giants last season.
Owner Jerry Jones took a chance signing Prescott to a four-year contract worth potentially $160 million and with an NFL record $66 million signing bonus. With the player still coming back from a potentially career-altering injury, the flamboyant owner took a risk on the former Mississippi State Bulldog.
However, early signs show Prescott is back to his best.
Whoever controls their offense better probably wins this game, both quarterbacks have immense talent on either side of the ball and both have started the season well.
Darnold and Carolina come into this matchup as underdogs but will be confident they have the skillset to upset America’s team. Something that will no doubt put the entire NFL on notice.