The Carolina Panthers are looking to show the resolve they need against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. To do so, they must win their individual battles.
Easier said than done. But after the Week 7 debacle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, nothing else will suffice.
Carolina is banged up, but so is everyone else around the NFL. There is no point crying about it, and this team still has enough talent to compete with the Packers, who are coming off a disappointing division loss of their own.
The stakes have already been raised. Now is the time for the Panthers to kick on and confirm their status as a lively outsider. Falling below .500 wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would leave them with a lot to figure out.
It's a pressured, precarious situation. And these Panthers could find themselves in concerning mismatches under the prime-time lights.
Carolina Panthers players caught in concerning mismatches against the Green Bay Packers
Chau Smith-Wade, CB
The Panthers are paper-thin at cornerback. Those in power have not yet brought in any outside help, which is a contentious issue among the fan base. But after being overlooked for the last two weeks, this could finally be Chau Smith-Wade's chance to cement his future in Carolina.
Smith-Wade has physical limitations. He has some useful athleticism, but it's clear there isn't much trust in his ability to come through when it counts. Even so, they are decimated by injuries, so the Panthers have no other option but to throw him into the fire.
And if Smith-Wade is matched up with either Tucker Kraft or Matthew Golden (if healthy), the Panthers may have a big problem.
Monroe Freeling, OT
Losing right tackle Taylor Moton to a season-ending fractured fibula was a body blow for the Panthers. Now, the onus is once again on first-round pick Monroe Freeling to pick up the slack.
The transition was always going to be difficult for Freeling. He was drafted as a left tackle but forced to the other side when Moton was diagnosed with blood clots. The growing pains were evident, and the Packers will try to exploit them.
Rasheed Walker isn't exactly the model of stability on the blindside. But edge rusher Lukas Van Ness will likely target Freeling as a vulnerable first-year player who could flounder in prime time.
Will Lee III, CB
Akayleb Evans is out, which isn't a bad thing. The Panthers are down to the bare bones at cornerback, though Marco Wilson is expected to get called up from the practice squad at Lambeau Field.
This also means Will Lee III will be tasked with covering Christian Watson, for the most part. The rookie fourth-rounder will have his hands full, especially on downfield routes. If he cannot mirror the wideout effectively, it could be a long evening at the office in front of a national NFL audience.
Lee's had some nice moments. He's also shown some rookie growing pains, so it's hard to say what version he'll be in Week 8.
Devin Lloyd, LB
The Panthers got a player of exceptional promise in linebacker Devin Lloyd. General manager Dan Morgan thought this was the man who could help their defense flourish, and he was right. But the second-team All-Pro has a massive task ahead against the Packers.
Lloyd must stay around the action whenever running back Josh Jacobs gets to the second level. He must watch for quarterback Jordan Love getting out on the move. And he may also be tasked with covering impressive tight end Tucker Kraft.
That's a lot to ask, but Lloyd has the tools to more than hold his own.
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