Cam Newton’s first game without star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin did not go well. He’ll look to improve against the New England Patriots on Friday. (Getty)
The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers are a combined 3-1 this preseason, but that hardly tells the entire story.
They are an ugly 3-1.
Playing without Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell, the Patriots’ first-team offense has been putrid. Tom Brady is 3-of-9 for just 23 yards and one first down on five drives. His backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, was terrific in Week 2 after a shaky opener, and with Brady’s four-game suspension still being appealed, it will be interesting to see how the snaps are divided between the two.
Sorry. @Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t want to take a sack right now.
He’d rather throw a crazy TD. #NEvsNO http://t.co/ys1uHqKT7X
As for the Panthers, who have won both preseason games thus far, the starters have looked rusty on both sides of the ball. Cam Newton is 9-of-20 for 125 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and none of his receivers have noticeably stepped up with Kelvin Benjamin out for the year. Defensively, the first team got torched by Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins a week ago, allowing 116 yards in the first quarter.
The preseason isn’t a time to jump to conclusions, and both teams have been without key starters, but it would still be a nice to get in some kind of rhythm before the season starts. Week 3, which is generally seen as the “dress rehearsal” with starters playing about half of the game, is the perfect time to find that rhythm.
Kickoff for this one is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night. It will be broadcast on WBZ in Boston and WCCB in Charlotte (check here for a full list of affiliates), but if you can’t make it to a TV, here’s how to watch online and on mobile:
Watch Patriots vs. Panthers Online
(Getty)
Viewers can watch this game–and all preseason games–live online via NFL Game Pass. The package doesn’t require a cable subscription, but it does cost $99.99 for the entire season. NFL.com is offering a free seven-day free trial.
Also note: NFL Network will show a replay of the game the same night at 12 a.m. ET (9 p.m. PT). If you have the log-in info for a cable subscription with access to NFL Network, you can watch that live online at NFL.com. You’ll need a cable log-in and password, or the log-in and password of someone you know, to access the stream.
Watch Patriots vs. Panthers on Mobile
(Getty)
Mobile and tablet users with a subscription to NFL Game Pass can also watch the game on the NFL Mobile app. You can download the app for free in the App Store , the Google Play store or the Windows Store.
Additionally, users can with access to NFL Network can watch the replay of the game on the NFL Mobile app.
