San Francisco 49ers

Panthers vs. 49ers: What to Watch For

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) leaves the field following the loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers look to get back on track this week at home against the 49ers. But what should you keep an eye on in this matchup on Sunday?

With their Week 1 loss to the Broncos in the books, the Panthers are set to face off with the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium for their 2016 home opener.

The last time Carolina hosted the Niners was back in the 2013-14 playoffs when the Panthers were ousted by Colin Kaepernick and company in the divisional round.

This time around, things are much different as Carolina is the heavy favorite and NFC contender while San Francisco is starting Blaine Gabbert is seen by many as a contender for the first overall pick in 2017.

The Panthers can’t be worried abut expectations though as the reality is that they are 0-1 and 49ers are 1-0 and they have much to improve on following their Week 1 performance.

Even in a matchup where everything appears to favor Carolina, this Niners team could provide resistance and make this a matchup. And here’s what to watch for:

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) is tackled by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Defense Get Back on Track?

The biggest issue for Carolina coming out of Week 1 was their inability to defend the run – an issue not normally associated with this Luke Kuechly-Thomas Davis led D.

They allowed Broncos RB C.J. Anderson to gash them play after play for 92 rushing yards and two scores and against 49ers back Carlos Hyde, they’ll need to correct their miscues. Hyde had a solid Week 1 outing against the Los Angeles Rams rushing for 88 yards and two scores. He’s the focal point of an otherwise suspect offense and must be accounted for if Carolina wants to put this team away like they should.

Against Gabbert, the shaky secondary should be able to correct their mistakes and work to build some confidence after last week’s disappoinment. And the pass rush that was almost non-existent after the first half has a similar opportunity to gain momentum for the season against this San Fran offense.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Consistency

The Panthers offense picked up right where they left off in Week 1 one as reigning MVP am Newton was as solid as ever, for the most part.

The key for Carolina in this week’s matchup will be to keep up that consistency and score against a clearly inferior team. The Niners defense is no where close to what it once was not so long ago but they still have plenty of big time players like NaVarro Bowman and the young defensive line duo of Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner.

Newton should have plenty of time to survey the field and pick his spots against the San Fran secondary and has the opportunity to, like the defense, use this game as a launching point for what this unit can accomplish regularly.

After terrific outings from Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen, it’ll be essential for the Panthers to keep it rolling and even work to spread the ball around and diversify this offense even further.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) does his Superman pose as he celebrates his second quarter touchdown with running back Jonathan Stewart (28) against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Win Like They Should

As the overwhelming favorite come Sunday (-13.5 line) the Panthers should dominate this matchup from start to finish. One of the biggest goals coming off of a 15-1 regular season and Super Bowl appearance was to avoid the supposed “hangover” and this game will be key to proving that Carolina can do just that.

By all accounts, the Panthers should be able to use this game to get on track for the rest of the season. While the 49ers D may be slightly underrated, Newton and this Panthers offense are simply far superior and should have their way way with them for 60 minutes.

On defense, the domination should be even greater. Kuechly and Davis have the talent and smarts to completely throw off Gabbert and the Niners offense and must make it a point to show that their Week 1 disappointment was an outlier rather than a sign of things to come.

Usually, a win is a win, no matter how it comes, but for the Panthers in 2016, expectations are higher than ever and a close win won’t mean nearly as much as a blowout would for a team that is expected to once again contend for the NFC Championship.