NY Jets at Panthers
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: CBS
Tipico line: Panthers by 4 1⁄2 Jets’ key to victory: The early stages of this season will thrust some growing pains upon such a young and unproven New York defense. So the Jets will need a little help from their opposition, and that’s entirely possible if Panthers QB Sam Darnold is the Darnold who spent three years with New York. The Jets’ front four, headed by DTs Quinnen Williams and Sheldon Rankins, has to push the pocket on Darnold, perhaps with an emphasis on the left side of Carolina’s line, and pressure him into his old bad habits of skittish footwork and questionable decision-making.
Panthers’ key to victory: Just as the Jets must do to Darnold, the Panthers have to give rookie QB Zach Wilson a memorable (or unmemorable) welcome to the NFL in his first pro start. That’ll be the job of a particularly deep and speedy pass-rushing attack that includes DEs Brian Burns and Morgan Fox, DTs Derrick Brown and DaQuan Jones and LB Haason Reddick, who recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks a season ago.
Matchup to watch: Jets LT Mekhi Becton vs. Panthers’ Burns. These two rising stars should have a number of interesting battles. Can the length and agility of Becton keep Burns and his deep bag of tricks at bay?
Who wins? This is as must-win as a Week 1 game can get for this Panthers regime. Head coach Matt Rhule and his staff are already over a year into their rebuild as the Jets are just beginning theirs. Carolina should not lose at home to a team with less experience, less talent and not nearly as much urgency.
Panthers, 24-13