The Carolina Panthers open up preseason play at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte(NC) against the Houston Texans. Carolina is coming off of a season full of ups and downs, but ultimately found a franchise QB in Cameron Newton who will try to build on a record setting 2011. Houston will look to replace two defensive play-makers that were lost in the off-season. This match-up will be the first of two NFL Network games to air on Saturday night.
Carolina entered last season with very little expectations after bringing in new Head Coach Ron Rivera and drafting a rookie QB to lead the franchise in Cam Newton. Little did they know, or even the NFL for that matter, that Newton would come in and help shatter every offensive franchise category. Along with that, Newton set 8 rookie QB records and became the first overall player in NFL history to accomplish several things including passing for over 4000 yards and rushing for over 500 yards combined in a single season. The sky is really the limit offensively for an already explosive offense that added RB Mike Tolbert. The combination of Newton, Tolbert, DeAngelo Williams, and Jonathon Stewart may run wild all over the NFL. One offensive question mark for the Panthers may be at the WR position with Armanti Edwards, Brandon LaFell, and David Gettis all needing to show they can be productive second and third options at wide-out. Defensively, Carolina hopes the return of LB Jon Beason will be the much needed anchor on that side of the ball. The Panthers couldn't stop anybody on defense in 2011. The additions of LB Luke Kuechly and DE Frank Alexander could add two more potential play-makers to a defense looking for a few more. Names to watch on both sides of the ball trying to get noticed are TE Joe Jon Finley, rookie CB Josh Norman, rookie TE Nelson Rosario, and rookie DE Ryan Van Bergen. Offensive guard Amini Silatolu may have all eyes on him as well, after being selected in the second round (#40 overall) leaving many around the league scratching their heads as to how early he was drafted. So far, everything out of Panthers camp has Silatolu looking like a steal in the draft sooner than later. Rookie Punter Brad Nortman was drafted by the Panthers in hopes he is good enough to start this year and Saturday will be his first live action to prove he can.
The Houston Texans earned the teams first playoff game as a franchise in 2011. Houston would finish the season 10-6 but head into the playoffs with rookie third string QB T.J. Yates. Overall, Yates did a great job considering his situation. The Texans offense will look similar in 2012 to the one it had in 2011. The return of two healthy pro bowlers in QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson, should prove to be very productive once again if they can stay on the field. The RB tandem of Arian Foster and Ben Tate should also produce at a high level if both can maintain good health. On defense there may be questions all over. The Texans lost two defensive leaders, and arguably their most productive players on D(Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans). Top to bottom everyone on the defensive side of the ball in Houston will have to step up. LB's Brooks Reed and Brian Cushing will have to continue to play at a high level along with DE J.J. Watt. Other names that will need to also step up for the Texans defense will be LB's Connor Barwin and veteran Bradie James. Some rookies who are going to try and make a splash will be DE Jared Crick, OG Brandon Brooks, WR Jerrell Jackson, and college standout QB Case Keenum.
If this was the first regular season game for each, it would be a good match-up, but Carolina would be my pick. Yet, this is another preseason game with not much of anything on the line. Both teams have veteran QB's in back-up roles that have played and started regular season NFL games before. So it comes down to maybe Jimmy Clausen for Carolina against Case Keenum and possibly T.J. Yates for Houston. Slight edge to Houston, who should also have guys on defense trying to make the roster, whereas Carolina already has a good idea of what their final 53-man roster will look like. Â Â
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