News » As we roll into Week 1

As we roll into Week 1 Color Rush Torrey Smith Jersey , the Panthers face a young Dallas Cowboys squad with a solid run game. The Panthers defense will have their work cut out for them stopping the run and the offense looks to succeed in its first action under freshman offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Here are the key matchups to watch.Luke Kuechly vs. Ezekiel ElliottOne of the top running backs in the NFL faces arguably the best defender in the league. Elliott is a threat whether he is taking handoffs in the backfield or catching passes. Kuechly is a top tier run and pass defender. This is one of the premier matchups of Week 1 no matter how you slice it, and could impact the game more than any other one-on-one matchup. Kuechly can patrol sideline to sideline against the best of them, however Elliott lead the league in rushing his rookie year for a reason. Elliott figures to be heavily involved in all aspects of their offense as the consensus best weapon for the Cowboys.Mario Addison vs. Tyron SmithIn regards to the line, the rushing game will be a big factor. However, rushing Dak Prescott will be key as well. Kawann Short and Dontari Poe will make their debut as a unit, but ol’ reliable Mario Addison needs to show up as well. He has worked his way into a 3 down role with the Panthers, and will see Pro Bowler tackle Tyron Smith most of the night. Addison’s one of the better speed rushers in the NFL, but Smith is no stranger to top tier players. If Addison can get consistent pressure then Carolina’s secondary can make plays.Panthers tackles vs. Demarcus LawrenceThe Cowboys best pass rusher will face off against Taylor Moton and whatever the team has planned at right tackle. This could be problematic for a team that is attempting to be a more high powered passing offense. No, scratch that, it WILL be a problem. So far, Moton has held his own in the preseason. But playing 4 quarters against starting defensive lineman is a different animal. I also imagine the Cowboys will have a plan to attack the right side of the line Color Rush Greg Van Roten Jersey , seeing as it will either be a plan C or a guy who is still recovering from injury. Pray for Cam Newton, please.Devin Funchess vs. Byron JonesThe Cowboys sport an underrated group of athletes at linebacker. Between Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith, they should have a plan for Greg Olsen. I don’t expect them to completely shut him down, but it should provide some 1 on 1 opportunities for the Panthers de facto number 1 wide receiver. Funchess is coming off a breakout year, showing he can be the number one target and succeed. However, I want to see it more consistently when he isn’t the best option among a series of bad ones. Funchess should be in for a workload of moving the chains. In a contract year, this is the perfect game to start building a case for his payday.What players are you watching, Panthers fans? The Tennessee Titans will be working out veteran safety Eric Reid in their search for a potential replacement after losing Johnathan Cyprien for the season with a torn left ACL, according to a person familiar with the visit.Reid will work out for the Titans on Friday, a person familiar with Reid's visit told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team does not announce which players it is working out.The Titans will become only the second NFL team to bring Reid in for a visit this year. Reid's visit with the Cincinnati Bengals ended with the safety filing a claim this spring arguing he was unsigned as a result of collusion by NFL owners over his protests of police brutality and racial inequality by kneeling during the anthem.Coach Mike Vrabel said earlier Thursday that the Titans have looked at Reid."I know we're in the process of talking and trying to bring him in," Vrabel said. "(GM) Jon (Robinson) and I will continue to discuss that and see where it goes. Yes http://www.authenticscarolinapanthers.com/cheap-daryl-williams-jersey , it's a guy we evaluated and we'll probably try to talk to his rep and see how many guys we can bring in here for a workout."Reid, 26, has been out of work since playing out his contract with San Francisco. He started 69 of 70 games with 10 career interceptions.The safety said in March that he does not plan to protest during the anthem this season if signed by a team. After he filed his collusion claim, the NFL Players Association also filed a non-injury grievance on Reid's behalf in May. Cincinnati owner Mike Brown reportedly asked Reid during their visit whether he would continue to kneel during the anthem.The Titans are looking for help at safety after losing Cyprien. The veteran left practice Wednesday after hurting his left knee during a noncontact play. He grabbed at his knee and then walked to the locker room with trainers, waiving off a cart. Cyprien, who signed a four-year deal last season, started 10 games after dealing with an injured hamstring.Tennessee already has Kendrick Lewis, 30 and with his fourth NFL team, and Demontre Hurst among the other options at safety on the roster. Kenny Vaccaro, who played the last five seasons in New Orleans, and Mike Mitchell also are among veteran safeties currently unsigned."Devastated to tell you that after checking him out Color Rush Christian McCaffrey Jersey , he tore his ACL and he'll be out for a year, which is tough for me as is a new head coach to watch guys work hard, extremely hard, in the offseason and care about the team and play hard and do everything that we've asked them to do and then not get a chance to experience the NFL season this year," Vrabel said.Tennessee already has All-Pro Kevin Byard at the other safety spot, with Logan Ryan, Adoree Jackson and free agent signee Malcolm Butler at cornerback for a unit that has its sights set on being the NFL's best secondary. Ryan said at least the Titans have time to adjust."It tests our depth, but some of that's been well-documented that we feel like we have good depth so it's going to show it ...," Ryan said. "This didn't happen the day before the first game. It's giving us time to work out the kinks. They might move me around a little bit and allow me to do more things in the secondary if need be and get more of our guys on the field."AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.