Congratulations, Carolina Panthers fans! We’ve arrived at kickoff weekend for the 2024 regular season.
But before we jump into the opener, here are four things you need to know ahead of Sunday’s clash with the New Orleans Saints:
New kickoff rules
As you may have noticed, teams across the league are dealing with new kickoff rules for 2024 . . .
The NFL's new dynamic kickoff rules 👀 pic.twitter.com/1N02SW7e4k
— ESPN (@espn) August 2, 2024
While these changes are certainly going to be something different for fans and players alike, they may bring about fresh openings for special teams coordinator Tracy Smith and company. They could also present some opportunities for running back and returner Raheem Blackshear, who averaged a solid 26.9 yards per attempt in 2023.
Fourth time’s a charm?
Dave Canales is now the fourth different head coach to start a season during owner David Tepper’s seven-year reign. And although that is not exactly a favorable statistic, the optimism in the building for the new regime is palpable.
Yes, the good vibes surrounding Frank Reich were also quite high last season—but you get the feeling that the ship is being run in a far more standard and sensical way under Canales. No more jumbled coaching staff and no retread, as this is Canales’ much-earned first go at a head-coaching gig.
We have already seen some promising offensive design in the preseason, and this offense is bound to look better under the new watch.
Make or break
Both quarterbacks in this matchup are facing similar situations on opposite sides of the spectrum. On one end, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young fell completely flat in his rookie season. And while there is much blame to go around for the failures of the offense, another flat campaign just might doom his career in Carolina.
That grim prospect could be a tad unfair, but teams can no longer afford to sit on what is not working—especially under center. Hopes are high that Canales and the offensive revamp can help Young live up to the potential we saw from him in college and in some flashes from his rookie campaign.
On the other side, you have veteran Derek Carr—who is staring at a make-or-break scenario of his own. Carr signed a massive contract in free agency last offseason to be the solution for the Saints at quarterback.
The 33-year-old, however, played some uninspired football for the size of his contract—and a repeat may spell the end of his starting duties.
One step closer
The Panthers and Saints have played it close in regular-season showdowns—with the latter holding a very slight 30-28 edge. So if Young and the Panthers sweep New Orleans this season, they would tie up the all-time head-to-head record.
That short road can be cut in half on Sunday.
