Panthers at Patriots
Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, August 22, 2019, at 7:30 PM EST
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
Betting Odds: NE -3.5 via Oddsshark
Network: Local Stations
Carolina Panthers
Cam to Play Three to Four Series
Everyone loves a running quarterback, especially in fantasy football. Cam Newton will take the field Thursday for, what the coach hopes, is three to four series. This should give us plenty of indication to the strength in his arm and shoulder, as well as the improved accuracy we are hoping to see this season. With a stellar cast led by RB1 Christian McCaffery …heck…he’s their WR1 as well, Cam is hoping that he can lead his team to green pastures in 2019. The videos from camp show that the trash talk is high for Cam and we are hoping he can improve on his paltry 53.2 QBR from a season ago, while still chipping in on the ground as the team’s goal-line choice.
CMC Snap Count
Last season, Christian McCaffery led the league for running backs with an almost 100% snap count on the year. This season, many are wondering if new additions and game script will lead to that same thing. Most have CMC pegged as a top 3 pick for good reason, but he has high expectations to live up to. He has as high of a ceiling as any player in the league and if you are blessed with a top 3 pick, you should be considering him as your leading rusher. Thursday should be a good litmus test to see just where the snap splits are heading into the season.
New England Patriots
We Wait for Flash Gordon
Is it illegal to talk about Josh Gordon hype trains yet? It seems every year we are hoping and praying for that #1 overall WR in 2013 with just 14 games played. He went off for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns that season. Well, here he is, back again and reinstated by the NFL after a lengthy suspension. This time, he is looking like a lock for the top outside receiver for the New England Patriots with N’Keal Harry a little banged up. We won’t get to see Josh Gordon this week, but the anticipation is building and you can believe that the commentators will be talking him up all game long.
Brady: Game Manager or Elite Option?
Many are saying that long gone are the days of Tom Brady being an elite fantasy option. Well, those voices are probably right. While Brady is winning titles still, he is not winning them on the virtual football field for his fantasy managers. Ranking outside the top ten at quarterback last year and going now outside the top 15 in many drafts, Brady is no longer the guy that people are reaching to get. His age, along with his decreased throwing distance downfield, has caused him to throw the quick routes and drop off loads of passes to James White out of the backfield. Couple this with the fact that Rob Gronkowski can be found at a local beach party near you as he has retired, and Brady is someone you should be fading in your drafts this season unless you are just passing on QB for the first 12 rounds.
-Matt Dean (@MattDeanQBL)