The vibes of the beginning of a new NFL season are unmatched.
The optimism is at an all-time high. The allure of another year and another opportunity to either add on to a masterpiece or wipe last season’s mess off the canvas and start fresh is just as inspiring as it is irresistible.
For the Carolina Panthers, the hope of a new season followed by success is something that they’ve been aching to accomplish since 2017. Their formula for the 2025 NFL season includes drafting another weapon for Bryce Young in Tetairoa McMillan, signing another 1,000-yard caliber back in Rico Dowdle, and adding Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III to help bolster a defense that was the league’s worst in nearly every major stat and metric.
In Week 1, the Panthers will face a Jacksonville Jaguar team that is also eager to turn the fortunes of their franchise around. Here are a few pre-game observations and keys to the game for the Panthers.
Brown Returns
After a torn meniscus derailed his 2024 season in a Week 1 blowout loss against New Orleans, Derrick Brown is back in the lineup. His presence beside A’shawn Robinson, Bobby Brown and Tershawn Wharton is expected to give teeth to a defense that lacked it last season.
Since Brown is more of a run-stopping end than a pass rusher, I’m looking to see how well he moves and fights through Jacksonville’s line as he tries to contain Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. While Brown should be ready to go, expect some rust as he returns to action.
Jaguars Receivers Test Panthers’ Secondary
As the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Liam Coen emphasized passing the ball. His philosophy led the Bucs to a fourth-ranked offense in touchdowns scored (59) and third in yardage. Baker Mayfield was third in the NFL in passing yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41) last season.
As the new head coach of the Jaguars, I don’t expect his philosophy to change and neither should the Panthers. I expect the Jaguars to operate out of the shotgun and test a Carolina secondary that was 20th in the league in yards surrendered (4,043) and last in rating (105.4).
The matchup between Brian Thomas, Jr. and Jaycee Horn will be the one to watch. Thomas can stretch the field as Jacksonville’s deep threat. It will be intriguing to see how Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will approach defending Thomas. Will he deploy Horn on him and play man? Will he or should he deploy zone coverages? A zone approach wouldn’t hurt. Evero could begin his coverage in a two-high shell with the safeties and add a nickelback for some Cover 3 packages.
I’m also interested in watching how Coen will use Etienne. The first-year Jaguars head coach says that he will involve the fifth-year running backs in action on Sunday. Don’t rule out the possibility of Etienne sharing the slot with Travis Hunter.
Establish the Run…Early
Establishing the run is the Panthers’ biggest key to the game. Ranked 25th in rush defense last season, the Jaguars struggle against the run. The approach for Panthers Offensive coordinator, Brad Idzik would be getting Chubba Hubbard involved early, moving the chains, and then opening up the pass and testing the Jaguars’ secondary.
Observations and Keys To Panthers’ Win Against Jaguars