Now 0-2 on the season and down their No. 1 overall pick at quarterback, the Carolina Panthers face a huge amount of adversity heading into Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks.
If Carolina wants to come away with their first win of the season, they will need to clamp down on a few key matchups:
Panthers QB Andy Dalton vs. Seahawks DC Clint Hurtt
All eyes will be on the Red Rifle this week. With Bryce Young out due to an injury, it will be up to backup Andy Dalton to try and jumpstart an offense that has looked horrendous in the first two weeks.
Seattle defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, who could be without two key corners in Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant, will need to come up with something creative to try and confuse the experienced veteran quarterback. If Dalton can play as well as he did last year with New Orleans, he could potentially bring this offense some life and Carolina their first win of the season.
Panthers CB CJ Henderson vs. Seahawks WR DK Metcalf
With Jaycee Horn down, CJ Henderson will have to be the man to match up with the physical anomaly that is DK Metcalf. Henderson has held up decently in place of Horn, but has yet to face someone as physically dominant as the 6-foot-4, 236-pound Pro Bowler.
If Henderson can match up well to Metcalf, it may force the Seahawks to look elsewhere and eliminate their top receiving option. Seattle does boast two other very talented receivers, but Carolina cannot allow Metcalf to break the game open.
Panthers OLB Brian Burns vs. Seahawks OT Stone Forsythe
Seattle will also be without starting left tackle Charles Cross, with Stone Forsythe set to take the talented second-year blocker’s place. So, Brian Burns—and the rest of the Panthers pass rushers, for that matter—must take advantage.
Whether it’s Burns or Justin Houston off that edge, they’ll have to power holes through the Seahawks’ blindside to keep Geno Smith harassed and in check.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen vs. Seahawks CB Artie Burns
In another veteran vs. backup matchup, Adam Thielen could be seeing a bit of Artie Burns from the slot. The former 2016 first-round pick was brought up from the practice squad to, perhaps, be the starting nickel for Sunday.
Burns has a history of struggling against more experienced receivers, and Thielen has every move in the book to take advantage of someone who is still getting their feet wet on the season. If Thielen can give Dalton a consistent weapon and can move the ball, this offense will be able to keep up.
