3 reasons the Carolina Panthers can beat the Patriots in Week 9
By Luke Tucker
Carolina Panthers are finally getting healthy again
After missing the past five games, it appears as though running back Christian McCaffrey is finally nearing his return. The Carolina Panthers designated him to return from the injured reserve list earlier this week, and on Friday it was reported that he had a good chance to play.
The report also noted though that if he does suit up, McCaffrey will likely be in a much more limited role.
Getting McCaffrey back into the fold would be huge for Carolina’s offense, as the unit was far-and-away better with him on the field. The Panthers have averaged more than half a touchdown more when he’s in the lineup this season, as well as an extra 100 yards of total offense. Not to mention they’re 3-0 with him and 1-4 without him in 2021.
Perhaps a return from injury that hasn’t gotten as much attention is that of Shaq Thompson. The 2015 first-round pick was off to the best start of his career before suffering a foot injury in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. After missing the next three games, the outside linebacker returned last weekend and picked up right where he left off.
In limited snaps, he led the team with 10 tackles, added one tackle for loss, and snagged an interception. When Thompson has played this season, the Panthers have been dominant on the defensive side of the ball.
In the four full games that he has played, Carolina has yet to surrender more than 14 points to its opponent. Even in the Cowboys game when he got hurt, the Panthers held Dallas in check and had a halftime lead before their star linebacker went down.
Carolina also got huge contributions from Stephon Gilmore in his Panthers debut. After not playing in nearly a year due to a quad injury and other circumstances, the former All-Pro shut down Kyle Pitts and grabbed the game-sealing interception.
Like Thompson, Gilmore was also held to a limited number of snaps. But he figures to gain more reps as the veteran continues to get healthier and more comfortable in Carolina’s system.
The Panthers should also be gaining reinforcements in safeties Myles Hartsfield and Juston Burris on the defensive side of the ball, as well as help on the offensive line in guard Pat Elflein. Carolina is a good team when it is healthy, and this is almost the case.