The Raiders are just a few days away from their Week 1 matchup with the Carolina Panthers. To get you prepared for that contest, we talked with Tim Weaver, the managing editor of the Panthers Wire about Carolina entering the season. Here is what he had to say about the Panthers and their game with the Raiders:
What are the expectations for new starting QB Teddy Bridgewater?
They’re pretty high. What wins the Panthers are going to get this season will be because they are scoring points, not because they are stopping the other team. Bridgewater will have to carry this team. He has a ton of speed at the skill positions, a bright young play-caller and two solid tackles watching his back. He needs to have a career-best year and prove he can be more than just a check-down artist or game manager.
How does Matt Rhule differ from Ron Rivera from what you’ve seen?
It’s tough to say since he hasn’t coached a game yet. They are similar in the way they command respect and treat the players like men and professionals. The biggest difference I’d say so far is Rhule’s willingness to experiment.
A lot of players have been lining up at multiple positions and he seems to prefer versatility. He doesn’t have much of a choice, but he also seems willing to play rookies and younger guys over veterans more than Rivera did. There will be at least four rookies starting on defense.
Who is one under-the-radar defender we should keep an eye on?
Fourth-round pick Troy Pride Jr. is probably the best under-the-radar pick right now. With Eli Apple going on injured reserve, there’s a strong chance we will see him starting outside opposite Donte Jackson.
Pride can also defend the slot, so there’s a good chance he will get a ton of meaningful playing time as a rookie. He’s got speed, the question is if he’s long enough to keep up with the big, elite NFC South receivers.
What can we expect the offense to look like under new OC Joe Brady?
It will be pretty similar to what we have seen from Sean Payton and the Saints the last few years. He was an assistant in New Orleans before his time at LSU where he helped Joe Burrow win the Heisman.
We’ll see a lot of levels and some quick-hitting stuff that plays into Bridgewater’s skill-set. Hopefully, he brings some new wrinkles and stuff we haven’t seen before, also.
Who do you expect to win this game and why?
If it were later in the season I would be picking the Panthers. Right now, they just have so much learning and work to do. The lack of a traditional offseason program and having no preseason games may affect this team more than any other in the NFL. They’re so young and inexperienced that it’ll be tough sledding early on.
It will take at least a few games for them to get up to speed. Since both teams are pretty bad defensively, I’m expecting a shootout.
Raiders 31, Panthers 27
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