The Carolina Panthers haven’t been in this position much in recent years — coming off a dominant winning performance.
So they’ll face the New England Patriots with a new-found energy and enthusiasm on Sunday at Foxborough, Mass.
“There’s a level of confidence to show the guys the work works,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said. “This is a really focused group. We have to have the same type of focus.”
The Patriots (1-2) are still trying to figure out where their strengths will be after a frustrating 21-14 home setback to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“When it’s there, you kind of know it,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “I don’t want us to forget about the positives and all the good things that have happened.”
The Panthers (1-2) saw many good elements while whipping visiting Atlanta 30-0 last week.
For Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Sunday’s game is a chance to play against his hometown team. He’s from the Charlotte area, where he starred in high school.
“Being a fan of Cam (Newton) is probably the biggest thing,” Maye said of what he described as vast memories of the Panthers, including their former star quarterback, while growing up.
This season, Maye has thrown for 261.7 yards per game with five touchdown throws and two interceptions. He has been sacked 12 times.
“He has got some special throws in him,” Canales said of Maye.
Tight end Hunter Henry has been a productive player on New England’s offense, catching two touchdown passes last week. But the Patriots realize they need to take better advantage of moving the ball after collecting 26 first downs but just two touchdowns.
“We’ve got to score more,” Henry said. “We’ve got to sustain drives.”
Yet the Patriots know they must clean up mistakes after committing five turnovers against the Steelers.
“Turnovers are the No. 1 thing in this league that will get you beat,” Henry said.
New England’s defense didn’t record a sack last week, though putting pressure on Carolina quarterback Bryce Young before he becomes too comfortable might be essential.
Canales said Vrabel’s teams won’t necessarily be fancy.
“I think the signature is: They don’t do a lot; what they do, they do really well,” Canales said. “They have some wrinkles, but it’s pretty good just clean football.”
New England has held each of its first three opponents to less than 65 rushing yards. If Carolina fails to reach 100 rushing yards, it will mark the second time the Patriots keep their first four opponents under 100 rushing yards — the other coming in 1964.
The Patriots could use a boost on the ground as well. Maye was their top rusher with 45 yards last week. They’ve yet to have a player reach 55 rushing yards in a game this season.
Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has lofted knuckleball-type boots on kickoffs for the Panthers, who will be in their third road game. That’s something the Patriots are spending more time on in preparation this week.
“It’s impressive,” Vrabel said of those kicks. “I sat there and looked at it for two hours (Tuesday) night.”
There’s a chance that New England has cornerback Christian Gonzalez back from a hamstring injury this weekend, Vrabel said.
Meanwhile, Carolina might have questions about receivers as Tetairoa McMillan (calf) and Xavier Legette (hamstring), who was inactive for the Atlanta game and didn’t practice Wednesday. Linebacker D.J. Wonnum (hip) also sat out the workout.
The teams are 4-4 against each other, though Carolina is 4-3 in regular-season matchups. This will be the Panthers’ first trip to Gillette Stadium since winning 33-30 in 2017.
