Week 4 previews: previews: Colts-Bears, Steelers-Titans, Patriots-Chiefs, Bills-Raiders highlight the NFL matchups. We pick the winners.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Cardinals by 5
Panthers’ keys to victory: With All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey out with a high ankle sprain, the Panthers have to find different ways of manufacturing offense. So far, WR Robby Anderson has been their most potent and consistent receiving option. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady should continue taking advantage of Anderson’s speed as a vertical threat and get others like TE Ian Thomas more involved. Defensively, Carolina needs what’s been a toothless defensive line to step up and get consistent pressure on QB Kyler Murray — especially star DE Brian Burns.
Cardinals’ keys to victory: The Panthers have one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. While QB Kyler Murray is indispensable, Cardinals coach and offensive play-caller Kliff Kingsbury should embrace a more run-heavy strategy. RB Kenyan Drake and backup Chase Edmonds should be in line for more touches than usual. On defense, they need CBs Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick to contain Anderson and WR DJ Moore.
Matchup to watch: Panthers CB Donte Jackson vs. Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. This young and inexperienced Panthers defense is also vulnerable at the cornerback position. While Jackson has plenty of speed, nobody on the Panthers faces a more difficult one-on-one matchup this week.
Who wins? This Carolina defense doesn’t have the right personnel to contain Murray and Hopkins, to say nothing of their issues defending the run.
Cardinals, 33-24