The Carolina Panthers are hitting the road for the third time in four weeks, as they’re set to battle the New England Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday. Oh, and they’re coming in off one of the most complete performances we’ve seen from this franchise in quite some time.

Week 3 saw the Panthers dominate the Atlanta Falcons en route to a 30-0 win. Carolina was clicking on all cylinders, and sent their NFC South foes packing off their first shutout since 2020.

Advertisement

They can keep that momentum going this weekend, by coming out on top of these four key matchups . . .

Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan vs. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez

Although McMillan led the Panthers in receiving for the third straight game last Sunday, he had some drops in a few big spots he’d probably like to have back. But he has to put those behind him, as the 24-year-old rookie is in for his toughest challenge yet.

Gonzalez, who is as good as they come at the cornerback position, is likely to make his 2025 debut. The 2024 second-team All-Pro possesses the fluidity, hip flexibility and athleticism to go toe-to-toe with the 6-foot-4 McMillan.

Advertisement

Panthers OL vs. Patriots DL

This is likely where the game is going to be won or lost.

Carolina’s offensive line, even without usual starters in center Austin Corbett and right guard Robert Hunt, held up nicely in Week 3. The interior got sufficient performances from their replacements, respectively, in Cade Mays and Chandler Zavala and kept the unit moving against Atlanta.

New England, however, presents quite a one-two punch in their defensive interior—Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Mays, Zavala and left guard Damien Lewis will need to stave off that duo to keep quarterback Bryce Young clean and running back Chuba Hubbard moving.

Advertisement

Panthers pass rush vs. Patriots OTs

With D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II already being ruled out, the Panthers are likely to feature rookie Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen at outside linebacker.

Scourton, in his first career start last week, flashed at times against the Falcons. He, per Pro Football Focus, registered two pressures over a career-high 56 snaps.

Umanmielen also had a career-high in snaps (34) and also recorded a pair of pressures. Look for his speed and explosiveness to play a factor against Patriots offensive tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses.

Carolina will need all the juice they can get off the edge—as they’ve amassed the lowest pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference, in the NFL thus far.

Advertisement

Patriots QB Drake Maye vs. Panthers linebackers and safeties

Maye, a Charlotte, N.C. native and University of North Carolina star, is a dual-threat quarterback who seems to be hitting his stride—with a sharp 72.6-percent completion rate and 785 passing yards. He has also the playmakers at tight end, a position the Panthers defense has struggled to stop, in Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper to attack the middle of the field.

This means the Panthers must continue utilizing their three-safety, dime packages when able. Tre’Von Moehrig has been playing exceptional football lately, and rookie Lathan Ransom is slowly earning significant playing time as a middle-of-the-field roamer.

Starting linebackers Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom, in addition, need to be at their best in coverage—with tighter zone spacing and discipline.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers vs. Patriots 2025: Key matchups for Week 4