Patriots (4-4) at Panthers (4-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

TV: CBS

Tipico Sportsbook line: Patriots by 3 ⁄2

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Patriots’ keys to victory: Whether it’s Sam Darnold or P.J. Walker under center for Carolina, New England will have to cut the opposition off out of the backfield. The Panthers finally committed to the running game in their Week 8 victory over the Falcons, rushing 47 times for a season-high 203 yards. All that the offense has working for it right now, given how volatile the play of either Darnold or Walker can be, is the running game. Cutting off WR DJ Moore isn’t a bad idea either – he’s the only Panther to crack 50 yards receiving in the past three games.

Panthers’ keys to victory: Again, this game will largely hinge on how Carolina does on the ground. For them to succeed – likely by committee with Chuba Hubbard, Royce Freeman, Ameer Abdullah and/or (possibly) a returning Christian McCaffrey – they’ll have to run past one of the league’s top run-defending groups. The Patriots are led up the middle by LBs Matthew Judon and Ja’Whaun Bentley, who have both been taking up considerable real estate behind the line of scrimmage this year. The Panthers’ offensive front, particularly its interior, must block effectively to open up space away from the duo.

Matchup to watch: Patriots QB Mac Jones vs. Panthers CB Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore, the 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year, knows his former team.

Who wins? The Carolina offense still isn’t in a great place. If all Bill Belichick has to do is stop either Darnold or Walker and limit an unproven ground attack, he’ll win.

Patriots, 17-13