The Patriots host the Carolina Panthers today in an early must win game. After squandering last week’s game to the Steelers, the Patriots have to play a cleaner game, take care of the football execute. If they do, this is a winnable game.

1. Drake Maye vs. the Panthers secondary: Maye will have his hands full with his boyhood team’s secondary. Jaycee Horn is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL and collectively, the Panthers corners and safeties are aggressive and can make plays. Maye has to make good decisions and take care of the football. If he does not, he will get burned by what is arguably Carolina’s best unit.

2. Patriots front seven vs. Chubba Hubbard: Assuming Hubbard plays, the Patriots front seven will have to be gap sound and their run fits will have to be good because Hubbard runs with good power and he can push the pile. Hubbard is currently listed as questionable for this game.

3. Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson vs. Panthers OT’s: The Patriots have a real advantage here. Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moten are far from an elite tandem. They will struggle with Landry and Chaisson today on the snap. I expect the Patriots to get consistent pressure today off the edge. The Patriots have been one of the best pass rushing defenses in the league thus far and I expect that to continue.

4. Patriots interior OL vs. Derrick Brown: Brown is one of the Panthers two best players and he will be a load to handle inside. He plays with power and speed and can be a real match up problem, especially for centers as a shade tackle on passing downs. The Patriots will need to put two bodies on him both in the run game and in pass protection. If not, he will disrupt their offensive game plan all afternoon.

5. Christian Gonzalez vs. Tet McMillan: Gonzalez is expected to play and assuming he does, he will match up with rookie Tet McMillan a lot when the Patriots are either matching up or playing man coverage. Gonzalez has the size and skill set to match McMillan’s size and skill set.