The Carolina Panthers are preparing for an away game against the New York Jets in Week 7. The Panthers, who have a 3-3 record this season and are undefeated at home, will look for their first road win after losing their previous three away games. The Jets, currently 0-6, recently lost 13-11 to the Denver Broncos in London and are one of the few teams not to have a bye week after an international game.
Historically, the Panthers have a 5-3 record against the Jets, with a 4-1 record at home and 1-2 on the road in New York.
Defensive lineman Derrick Brown commented on the upcoming challenge, stating, “I mean, a lot of people try to say, ‘Man, they’re 0-6,’ but I mean we’ve been in the same situation, so we’d be fools to sit here and think they’re just going to lay down when we got to go up there and play them at home.”
He added, “Yeah, we won two games, but I mean our problem’s been, the whole time, has been on the road this year, so we got to be able to go and fight our own demon as well.”
The Jets acquired quarterback Justin Fields during the offseason, hoping to improve their offense alongside Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Fields has averaged 159.8 passing yards per game and thrown four touchdowns in six games, while being sacked 19 times, the second-most in the league. The Jets did not score a touchdown in their recent loss.
Garrett Wilson, who hyperextended his knee against the Broncos, is expected to miss several weeks. This absence will likely impact the Jets’ passing game. Running back Breece Hall ranks 11th in the league with 410 rushing yards and is averaging 68.3 yards per game but has not scored a touchdown this season. Fields has contributed 235 rushing yards and two touchdowns despite missing a game due to injury.
Derrick Brown said, “A good quarterback. I mean, they got a quarterback that can get loose, so I mean, that’s one thing we’re going to have to go ahead and focus on this week. They got a really good running back. So for us this week, I mean, it’s about being able to learn and be able to contain the offense, but also at the same time, not take what they’re trying to feed us, right?”
On defense, the Jets recently added cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. via trade and welcomed back edge rusher Jermaine Johnson from injury. Brownlee Jr. forced a fumble in his first appearance, while Johnson recorded five tackles and a sack.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner remains a key player for the Jets’ defense. Gardner, a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Pro, often covers top receivers and is among the league leaders in forcing tight window throws.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales commented on the Jets’ defense: “They’re a very aggressive group,” Canales said on Monday. “They got a good front, and it’s certainly going to be a good challenge for us this week.”
He continued, “It’s an aggressive attack…looking at the first couple of weeks, and then looking at what they did last week, there’s a little bit of change, so there’s some variety, and I know he’s got a lot more.
“I remember coaching against or being a part of staffs that went against Steve Wilks’ defenses, and the attacking style, the exotic pressures—and they had a lot more than what they’re doing right now, but there was a little bit of a shift—but this is a group that’s salty. They run to the ball.”
Special teams may also play a role in the matchup. Jets return specialist Kene Nwangwu leads the NFL in kickoff return average with 36.5 yards per return and had a 72-yard return against the Broncos. Since 2021, Nwangwu has four kickoff return touchdowns, more than any other player in the league during that span.
The Panthers will aim to secure their first road win of the season as they face the Jets on Sunday.
