The Carolina Panthers hit the road for the second consecutive week to begin the preseason, traveling to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. The two teams conducted joint practices in Foxborough leading up to the game on Friday, Aug. 19.
Carolina traveled last week for the team’s preseason opener and defeated the Washington Commanders 23-21. The Patriots squared off against the New York Giants, falling short by a score of 23-21. This will mark the twelfth time the two teams have faced each other in the preseason. The Patriots currently hold an 8-3 all-time record against the Panthers in the preseason.
The Numbers
About Carolina
- Baker Mayfield was traded to Carolina after four seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2018-21). Last year, he started 13 games, throwing for 3,010 yards and 17 touchdown passes.
- WR DJ Moore totaled a team-high 1,157 receiving yards this year, the 11th most in the NFL and 6th most in the NFC. Moore recorded 50+ receiving yards in 12 games in 2021. His 93 receptions are a new career-best for a single season and ranked 12th league-wide. Moore’s team-high and careerhigh 163 targets ranked 6th most in the NFL.
- Despite a shortened 2021 season due to injury, RB Christian McCaffrey racked up 100+ yards from scrimmage in 5-of-7 games played this year.
- WR Robby Anderson finished the 2021 season with 53 receptions for 519 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Over the final eight games of the season, Anderson gathered over half of his receptions of the season (34) for 313 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
- Carolina’s defense is the only team in the NFL that did not allow a touchdown on the opponents’ first drive of any game in 2021. The Panthers allowed just 9 points by opposing teams on opening drives (3 FGs, 1 takeaway, 13 punts).
- Burns has played in 48 career games. He ranks 2nd in franchise history in sacks through a player’s first 48 games, only trailing Julius Peppers (30.0 sacks, 2002-05) with 25.5 sacks.
About New England
- The Patriots have had a strong running game in two consecutive seasons. The Patriots finished fourth in the NFL with 2,346 rushing yards in 2020, the fourth-highest single-season rushing total in team history. The 2021 Patriots finished 8th in rushing with 2,151 yards.
- The Patriots scored 20 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons for the first time in team history with 20 in 2020 and 24 in 2021. The 24 rushing touchdowns were second in 2021 to the 25 by Philadelphia.
- The 2021 New England Patriots finished 2nd in the NFL for fewest points allowed with 17.8 points allowed per game. The Patriots have finished in the top 10 in fewest points allowed in each of the last 10 seasons, which is the longest current streak. The last team to do that in 10 consecutive seasons was Tampa Bay (10 straight from 1996 to 2005).
- New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson, quarterback Mac Jones, linebacker Matthew Judon and special teams captain Matthew Slater were selected to represent the New England Patriots in the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl.
Connections
- Panthers LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley played his collegiate years at Boston College.
- Patriots OL Justin Herron played collegiately at Wake Forest.
- Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers played collegiately at NC State.
- Patriots RB Kevin Harris played collegiately at South Carolina.
- Patriots DB Juston Bethel is from Blythewood, SC. He played football at Blythewood High School and attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC.
- Patriots DB Kyle Dugger played his college years at Lenior-Rhyne.
- Patriots wide receivers/kick returners coach Troy Brown is a native of Barnwell, SC. and attended Blackville-Hilda HS.
Panthers vs Patriots
All-Time Series: 8 total matchups | The series is tied 4-4
Last Regular Season Game: 11/7/21 | New England 24 vs Carolina 6
Preseason Series: 11 total matchups | New England leads the series 8-3
Last Preseason Game: 08/22/19 | Carolina 3 vs New England 10
How to Watch
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET Queen City News: Taylor Zarzour, Steve Smith Sr., Kristen Balboni
Live Stream: Panthers.com
Radio: WRFX 99.7FM in Charlotte market; On The Call: Anish Shroff, Kurt Coleman, Jim Szoke, Kevin Donnalley
Per Release
