Stewart is heatlhy again! Photo by Matt Trostle from Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

The Carolina Panthers play the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night in the third and most important preseason game. The third game of the preseason is the one where NFL teams leave their starters in the longest and actually game plan like a regular season game. Week four is usually a week of rest for most starters in an attempt to avoid injuries.

 

The Panthers offense under Cam Newton needs to work on getting first downs from third down and getting the wide receivers more involved in the passing attack. The Panthers running game has been fine despite an injury scare with Jonathan Stewart who apparently is ok now. I expect Shockey and Olsen to see lots of action as they will be a focal point of the team in the regular season.

 

I talked to former Bengal and Titan defensive tackle John Thornton on Twitter about the Panthers, Bengals preseason game. This is what Mr. Thornton had to say. “I think this will be a good test for Bengals Defense. Panthers have a good OL and RB’s. Bengals struggle w/pass catching TE’s as well. I'm guessing the Bengals will blitz Cam because there aren't any gamebreakers or big WR’s and they don't want to let him get going. Bengals DL has played well in first two games. No studs, just good solid players. Good depth too. Deep balls have hurt them.” You can follow John Thornton on Twitter or check out his web site at Jockbiz.com

 

For the third preseason game the Panthers defense must get off the field. In the Miami game the team just couldn’t get the ball back to the offense enough. Look for linebacker Thomas Williams to have another big game, against the Bengals. The 2nd year player out of USC has had a really nice preseason so far.

 

The Panthers defense will continue to try to find some cornerbacks who can step it up in time for the regular season. I don’t know how much the Bengals offense can test the Panthers as Carson Palmer, and Ochocinco are no longer with the team.

 

Rookie Bengal QB Andy Dalton is in the same boat as Cam Newton. A short offseason and less time than normal for a player to try to learn his offense. Veteran Bruce Gradkowski will see some playing time against the Panthers as well.

 

Once again I want the Panthers to improve in this preseason game against the Bengals. A lack of turnovers and penalties is crucial in preparing for the NFL regular season. One thing in Cam Newton’s favor is that he has committed no turnovers so far in the preseason, let’s hope that continues.