PANTHERS (4-6) VS. RAIDERS (8-2)
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, OAKLAND COLISEUM, OAKLAND uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 715
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
About the Panthers: Carolina welcomed extra days off after its 23-20 win against New Orleans on Thursday night. The Panthers hope that time allows MLB to be cleared from concussion protocol and gives C shoulder enough of a rest. Kalil played against the Saints after missing the previous two games but left after their first possession of the second half. His replacement was because (knee) was inactive. After leading 20-3 at halftime and 23-3 in the third quarter, the Panthers hung on for the victory, gaining just 83 yards on 28 plays in the second half. QB
was 14-for-33 for 192 yards with a passer rating of 71.8. Said Newton afterward, “I’m not about to let you guys downplay this win. We won. So I’m excited that we won. We get to go into a mini-bye week and get healthy. So that’s my feeling.”
About the Raiders: After their comeback Monday night win against the Houston Texans in Mexico City, in which QB completed at least one pass to seven different targets, the Raiders return to normalcy with two actual home games against Carolina and the Buffalo Bills. They then gear up for the final quarter of the season, which features three of four road games, including their last three division games. RB thinks it’s important for the players to focus on themselves rather than be concerned with what Denver and Kansas City are doing. “We control our own destiny,” he said. “We don’t want to leave it in the hands of anybody else.” Oakland is 5-0 on the road this season.
Matchup to watch: Raiders DE Khalil Mack vs. Panthers LT Mike Remmers and RT Daryl Williams. Following Monday night’s game against the Texans, Mack had eight sacks, and he will be a handful for the Carolina line wherever he lines up. Remmers stays on the left side with out almost two months because of a concussion.
The team’s leader in sacks with 61⁄
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
had two for 19 yards against New Orleans, including a strip-sack that he recovered. However, Addison suffered what is believed to be a foot injury in the fourth quarter, so that bears watching during the practice week.
Yards Newton would need to be the team’s leading rusher. He has 268 yards, and RB who missed several games because of a hamstring injury, has 365. Stewart has five rushing touchdowns, Newton four. RBs
(191) and have combined for 335 yards.
KEYS TO THE GAME
(144)
1. Hoping to have Luke: It was a tearful Kuechly who was carted off the field last Thursday night, but the next day LB
posted a photo on Instagram with Kuechly smiling and giving a thumbs-up. The caption said, “Luke wanted me to let you guys know that he’s doing fine and thanks for your prayers!! #KeepPounding”
2. Holding the Raiders down: Carolina’s defense has to come up big to contain Carr and his offensive weapons, WRs
and along with a running game led by an offensive line that has developed continuity.
3. Reversing a trend: The Raiders have been better on the road than in their home stadium, where they are 2-2. They did win their last game in Oakland against Denver before their Week 10 bye. On the flip side, the Panthers are 1-3 on the road. They lost their first three before winning at Los Angeles.
Howard Balzer