Preseason Opener: Panthers Face First-Time Patriots Head Coach and More Challenges

The Carolina Panthers open their preseason campaign with a visit to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. While it's just an exhibition, there are several important factors to keep an eye on in the matchup.

The Patriots enter the 2023 season under the guidance of first-time head coach Bill O'Brien, who takes over for the legendary Bill Belichick. O'Brien brings a different coaching philosophy and offensive system to New England, which could present a fresh challenge for the Panthers.

The Patriots have made some significant additions to their offense in the offseason, including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and tight end Hunter Henry. These talented pass-catchers could be a major threat to a Panthers defense that was vulnerable against the pass last season.

Preseason Opener: Panthers Face First-Time Patriots Head Coach and More Challenges

The Patriots underwent a major overhaul on defense during the offseason, losing several key players and replacing them with a number of new faces. It remains to be seen how well this new-look defense will perform under the direction of coordinator Steve Belichick.

The Panthers will likely face third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe in this preseason game. However, it's worth noting that Zappe showed promise in limited action last season, completing 70.2% of his passes with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

This game marks the first opportunity for the Panthers to showcase their new-look team in a game-like environment. It will be interesting to see how the team performs under first-year head coach Dave Canales and how the players adjust to his schemes and playcalling.

* The performance of rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn, who missed most of last season due to injury.

* The health of Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold, who has been dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries.

* The effectiveness of the Panthers' running game, led by D'Onta Foreman and Christian McCaffrey.

* The Patriots' depth at wide receiver, with Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor also vying for targets.

* The chemistry between Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and his new offensive weapons.

The Panthers and Patriots matchup in the preseason opener is an intriguing one with many factors to watch. It will be a valuable opportunity for both teams to evaluate their progress and prepare for the regular season.