The Carolina Panthers look to continue their momentum coming off their first win, a win that happened because several individual players stepped up and outplayed their opponents. Let’s examine who needs to do that this week.
Greg Olsen vs. Benardrick McKinney/Tashaun Gipson
Greg Olsen went nuts on Sunday, with six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Olsen was a security blanket and a consistent target when Kyle Allen needed an outlet, and is now on a two game streak of solid outings. This week, he doesn’t get quite the plus matchup with a solid Houston Texans secondary and a solid front seven (even without Jadeveon Clowney). Olsen is somebody this defense will likely key on in the passing game, as he still continues to be a major part of the passing game at 34 years old. I’m not entirely sure what the Texans will do to try and limit his production, but the linebackers and safeties will definitely see a lot of him. D.J. Swearinger can attest that Olsen is still the tight end we know and love.
Daryl Williams/Trai Turner vs. J.J. Watt
In 2015, Daryl Williams and Trai Turner dominated Watt for the most part in their Week 2 matchup as the starting tackle and guard combination on the right side. This go around, we aren’t really sure if Turner is going to play, meaning Williams might be stepping in to fill that spot and work alongside Taylor Moton. Watt hasn’t quite looked himself this season, and the Panthers have managed to limit interior rushers in guys like Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh during the first three weeks. Daryl Williams struggled mightily (that’s being nice) at left tackle, but this week it appears he’s more likely to step in at right guard and play in a more natural alignment. It’s possible he doesn’t play at all if Greg Little is deemed the starter at left tackle no matter what goes on with Turner. Either way, the Panthers need a plan here.
Brian Burns vs. Tytus Howard
The Panthers depth chart doesn’t really indicate what they do with their pass rushers, as Mario Addison, Christian Miller, Marquise Haynes, and Burns all have lined up all over the place to rush the passer. This week, they get to (possibly) add Bruce Irvin to that mix. They again face a quarterback who can run, but their pass rush overall has been productive in 2019. Brian Burns is the current impact player, leading all rookies in pass rush effectiveness and being ranked fourth in the league overall in that rank. I think it’s a waste of his talents to line him up over Laremy Tunsil too much in this game, instead exploit the right side where he can really wreak havoc. Burns has been as advertised since draft night, and he should make an impact every week.
James Bradberry vs. DeAndre Hopkins
In all likelihood, Hopkins will be productive no matter who he lines up against on Sunday. That’s just the reality against one of the leagues top two or three weapons at wide receiver. However, ideally you’d like Donte Jackson to face Will Fuller as much as possible since Fuller is the big play threat, and allow Bradberry a chance to be physical and limit Hopkins’ effectiveness on a down to down basis. This is a HUGE test for a player who has turned in elite performances for the last three weeks. If he’s truly the shutdown corner we keep seeing, this is the time to show the rest of the league how good Bradberry is now.