Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (#1) (Photo : Reuters)
The 2015 NFL Preseason continues with Week 3 action from the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on Friday, August 28 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Patriots are coming off a come-from-behind 26-24 win last Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Second-string signal caller Jimmy Garappolo was outstanding with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chris Harper for New England, who also played suspended superstar starter Tom Brady for limited minutes in the game, as per The Times-Picayune.
Carolina maintained their unblemished record this preseason with a close 31-30 victory over practice partners Miami Dolphins also at home last Saturday, via SB Nation.
Despite the win, starting quarterback Cam Newton was obviously affected by the absence of his favorite wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, who suffered a torn ACL during practice last week that ended the wideout's season.
Head coach Ron Rivera will have to find new ways to score and a reliable replacement for Benjamin if they want to survive the new season.
However, look for the Panthers and Newton to make adjustments in this game versus the Pats and still win it by a hair.
Prediction: Panthers win, 21-17
New England Patriots starting lineup
Offense: Garoppolo (QB), Develin (RB), Edelman (WR1), Tyms (WR2), Amendola (WR3), Gronkowski (TE), Solder (LT), Kline (LG), Stork (C), Wendell (RG), Vollmer (RT)
Defense: Ninkovich (DE), Brown (DT), Easley (DT), Jones (DE), Collins (OLB), Mayo (MLB), D. Fletcher (OLB), Butler (CB1), B. Fletcher (CB2), Chung (SS), McCourty (FS)
Carolina Panthers starting lineup
Offense: Newton (QB), Steward (RB), Tolbert (FB), Cotchery (WR1), Brown (WR2), Olsen (TE), Oher (LT), Norwell (LG), Kalil (C), Turner (RG), Remmers (RT)
Defense: Johnson (DE), Short (DT), Edwards (DT), Alexander (DE), Klein (OLB), Kuechly (MLB), Davis (OLB), Norman (CB1), Tillman (CB2), Harper (SS), Boston (FS)
