It’s the first time these teams have met since the Panthers defeated the Patriots 27-17 at Bank of America Stadium in 2005. The Patriots are 2-2 all-time against the Panthers, including their victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Carolina won its lone trip to Foxboro Stadium, beating the Patriots 20-17 in 1995.
When and Where
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, 1 p.m.
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Records
Patriots (7-5, 3-2 AFC East)
Panthers (5-7, 3-2 NFC South)
Skinny
It’s been an unprecedented week for the Patriots. First, they lost a divisional game in December. Then, quarterback Tom Brady called out the team’s lack of fight. And finally, head coach Bill Belichick banned four players from the team facility for being late to Wednesday morning’s meeting.
The Patriots have bounced back in the past, but this might take a little extra effort. While they’re still leading the AFC East by one game over the Dolphins and Jets, the Patriots are in a much tighter playoff race than they expected before they lost three of their last four games.
"We have a lot of guys who are fighters and who are going to continue to battle and do what we can to get better on a daily basis," wide receiver Wes Welker said. "That’s what it comes down to."
Sunday’s spotlight will be focused directly on wide receiver Randy Moss, linebackers Adalius Thomas and Gary Guyton and defensive end Derrick Burgess — all of whom were sent home Wednesday.
"It’ll be determined on Sunday after the game," Thomas said when asked if Wednesday’s punishment will be a distraction to the team. "[If] we play well, then it’ll be the whole great thing, and if [we don’t], then [the media] will kind of come back to this whole thing and say it was a distraction."
Projected Starters
Patriots
Offense
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Wide receiver: Randy Moss
Wide receiver: Wes Welker
Running back: Laurence Maroney
Running back: Kevin Faulk
Tight end: Ben Watson
Left tackle: Matt Light
Left guard: Logan Mankins
Center: Dan Koppen
Right guard: Stephen Neal
Right tackle: Nick Kaczur
Defense
Left defensive end: Ty Warren
Defensive tackle: Vince Wilfork
Right defensive End: Jarvis Green
Outside linebacker: Tully Banta-Cain
Middle linebacker: Jerod Mayo
Middle linebacker: Gary Guyton
Outside linebacker: Adalius Thomas
Left cornerback: Darius Butler
Right cornerback: Leigh Bodden
Strong safety: Brandon Meriweather
Free safety: Brandon McGowan
Specialists
Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski
Punter: Chris Hanson
Long snapper: Jake Ingram
Holder: Chris Hanson
Kick returner: Matthew Slater
Punt returner: Wes Welker
Panthers
Offense
Quarterback: Matt Moore
Wide receiver: Steve Smith
Wide receiver: Muhsin Muhammad
Tight end: Jeff King
Fullback: Brad Hoover
Running back: DeAngelo Williams
Left tackle: Travelle Wharton
Left guard: Mackenzy Bernadeau
Center: Ryan Kalil
Right guard: Keydrick Vincent
Right tackle: Jeff Otah
Defense
Left defensive end: Tyler Brayton
Defensive tackle: Hollis Thomas
Defensive tackle: Damione Lewis
Right defensive end: Julius Peppers
Weakside linebacker: James Anderson
Middle linebacker: Jon Beason
Strongside linebacker: Na’il Diggs
Cornerback: Chris Gamble
Cornerback: Richard Marshall
Strong safety: Chris Harris
Free safety: Charles Godfrey
Specialists
Kicker: John Kasay
Punter: Jason Baker
Long snapper: J.J. Jansen
Holder: Jason Baker
Kick returner: Mike Goodson
Punt returner: Kenneth Moore
Stat Sheet
Patriots
The Patriots are 33-6 against the NFC since 2001, including their four Super Bowl appearances.
The Patriots are an NFL-best 24-3 in December since 2003.
Wes Welker has caught 49 of the 60 passes (81.7 percent) thrown in his direction in the last five games. Meanwhile, Randy Moss has caught 25 of the 49 passes (51.0 percent) thrown his way during that stretch.
Moss and Welker are the only receiving tandem in Patriots history to each have three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Moss has 28 career offensive touchdowns of at least 50 yards, which is second all-time to Jerry Rice (36).
Welker has five games with at least 10 catches this season. Andre Johnson has the single-season record with seven.
Welker needs five receptions to give him 100 for his third consecutive season. He would join Marvin Harrison (four), Rice (three) and Herman Moore (three) as the only players who have ever accomplished that feat.
Moss needs one touchdown in the last four games to give him his ninth double-digit touchdown season of his career, which would match Rice’s record.
Brady is 2-1 in three career games against the Panthers, completing 72 of 121 passes (59.5 percent) for 822 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Brady has seven 300-yard games this season. Rich Gannon (2002) and Drew Brees (2008) share the record with 10.
The Patriots have won 21 consecutive home games in which Brady has started. Brady’s 60-10 record (.857 winning percentage) in home games is the best mark in the NFL since the 1970 merger.
Panthers
The Panthers are the only team in the NFL that has not played a regular-season game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots are 26-4 against teams making their initial visit to Gillette, and they’ve won 22 of their last 23 in those games.
The Panthers are scoring 17.9 points per game this season, which is 9.4 fewer than the Patriots. Carolina has also gained 1,152 less yards in 2009.
Carolina is third in the league with 151.9 rushing yards per game.
Middle linebacker Jon Beason has 122 total tackles (96 solo), which is 48 more total tackles than Patriots leaders Gary Guyton and Jerod Mayo, and 46 more solo tackles than Mayo.
Running back DeAngelo Williams has rushed 197 times for 1,022 yards (5.2 per carry) and seven touchdowns.
Running back Jonathan Stewart has 145 rushes for 664 yards (4.6 per carry) and seven touchdowns.
Wide receiver Steve Smith has a team-high 49 receptions, 682 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. The rest of the Panthers have four receiving touchdowns combined.
Quarterback Matt Moore, who is likely to start in place of the injured Jake Delhomme, has 83 career completions in 143 attempts (58.0 percent) for 954 yards, three touchdowns and seven interceptions. In 2009, Moore is 20-of-32 for 224 yards, no touchdowns and two picks.
Delhomme has completed 178 of 321 passes (55.5 percent) for 2,015 yards, eight touchdowns and 18 interceptions this season.
Black and Blue
(From Thursday’s practice report)
Patriots
Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder, right finger, rib) did not participate.
Defensive lineman Myron Pryor (chest) did not participate.
Wide receiver Sam Aiken (shoulder) had limited participation.
Linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (shoulder) had limited participation.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman (forearm) had limited participation.
Defensive end Jarvis Green (knee) had limited participation.
Right tackle Nick Kaczur (ankle) had limited participation.
Right guard Stephen Neal (ankle) had limited participation.
Linebacker Rob Ninkovich (knee) had limited participation.
Running back Fred Taylor (ankle) had limited participation.
Defensive end Ty Warren (ankle) had limited participation.
Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (not injury related) had limited participation.
Cornerback Shawn Springs (knee) fully participated.
Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (head) fully participated.
Tight end Ben Watson (knee) fully participated.
Panthers
Defensive end Tyler Brayton (concussion) did not participate.
Quarterback Jake Delhomme (finger) did not participate.
Linebacker Na’il Diggs (ribs) did not participate.
Safety Chris Harris (not injury related) had limited participation.
Wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett (ankle) fully participated.
Defensive end Charles Johnson (pectoral) fully participated.
Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee) fully participated.
Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (concussion) fully participated.
Running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) fully participated.
Running back DeAngelo Williams (ankle) fully participated.
This Date in Patriots History
In 1987, the Patriots beat the New York Jets 42-20 in Foxborough. The loss ended a two-game losing streak and started a three-game winning streak. Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan completed 11-of-18 passes for 180 yards and four touchdowns, and he also ran for a touchdown.
The Patriots are 1-5 all-time on this date, including a 1-3 mark at home.
Overheard
“I don’t know anything else to say. Cars are sitting in the road. You’re sitting there. What can you do? It’s not The Jetsons. I can’t jump up into the sky. What the hell am I supposed to do?”
—Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, addressing the media Thursday to “clear the air” about getting sent home for being late to Wednesday’s team meeting. Thomas said he arrived at 8:09 a.m. for the 8 a.m. meeting and even called to let the team know he’d be running late because of the snow and traffic. Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess and Gary Guyton were also sent home for being late.
Press Box
Patriots
The Patriots are on the brink of turmoil.
Banning the players is a gamble Belichick needed to take. Now we’ll find out if it works.
Richard Seymour is right on. He knows the Patriots could use him now.
Panthers
Matt Moore is still trying to trust his own ability.
Chris Harris is a turnover machine once again.
DeAngelo Williams should be all set to play against the Patriots.
NFL
With a surplus of big-name head coaches on the market, here’s why teams should stay away from them.
Sports Illustrated ranks the 10 most significant moments of the last decade. Patriots fans can relate to three.
Here is SI’s Team of the Decade.
Outlook
Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme throws interceptions as frequently as Mike Tyson throws punches. But the Patriots are shedding a tear and pouring out some liquor in memory of Delhomme’s broken finger, which apparently will keep him from playing Sunday.
Instead, the Patriots are preparing for backup Matt Moore, who led the Panthers to a 16-6 victory against the Buccaneers last week. Moore completed 14 of 20 passes for 161 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said this week that Moore reminded him a bit of Matt Cassel in terms of his athleticism and throwing ability. Moore is more mobile than Delhomme, and he uses his legs to run around the backfield more than he tries to run to gain yards.
More importantly, the Patriots need to control Carolina’s two-headed running attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers are overly dedicated to running the ball and will often use power formations consisting of a fullback and one or two tight ends. Also, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad is one of the better blocking wideouts in the NFL, and they’ll use him to their advantage in the running game.
Carolina knows it’s got a good thing going with its rush attack, and it will sell out to insure it works. If the Patriots can contain Williams and Stewart, there — by all probability — is no way the Panthers should be able to pass on them.
The Panthers have a good pass defense, led by the ruthless attack of defensive end Julius Peppers, who has 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles (remember when the Patriots were linked to trade rumors involving Peppers?). Defensive linemen Tyler Brayton, Damione Lewis and Everette Brown all have a knack for getting to the quarterback, so the Patriots’ offensive line has a major challenge ahead. Carolina’s pressure has helped the Panthers intercept 17 passes this season, fifth-most in the NFL.
While the Panthers are equipped with one of the best pass defenses in the league (fifth in passing touchdowns allowed and sixth in passing yards allowed), they’re not very good at stopping the run (22nd in rushing touchdowns allowed and 26th in passing yards allowed). It’s surprising, considering the Panthers have one of the best middle linebackers in the game in Jon Beason, whom Belichick loved but passed over in favor of Brandon Meriweather in the 2007 draft.
The Panthers are a far inferior team, with less going for it than the Dolphins. They really shouldn’t give the Patriots any trouble, especially since the Pats return home to Gillette Stadium, where they are 6-0 this season. Of course, that’s how it looks on paper. Sunday is when the Patriots truly have to prove they have moved past the fallout from the loss in Miami.