In what will be a weekly feature here at BSJ, we’ll chat with a writer for the other team that knows their stuff where we throw five questions at them to get a better feel for the Patriots' opponent. For the Panthers, we check in with Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Check him out on Twitter here, and read his coverage here.

1. Is Cam Newton capable of pulling the upset and beating the Patriots in Foxborough?



Person: Newton is not the same quarterback he was in 2015. His shoulder still doesn't appear to be 100 percent, and he's having to limit his throws during the week. That means timing with the offense has been bad, so it would take a Herculean performance for him to pull the upset against New England.

2. Who is the one Panthers player most Patriots fans don’t know right now, but will by the end of the game on Sunday?

Person: Mario Addison is an under-the-radar edge rusher whose speed figures to give Nate Solder some issues. Keep an eye on No. 97 for the Panthers.

3. What’s the biggest weakness on the Panthers’ offense you expect the Patriots to try to exploit?

Person: The Panthers don't have anyone who can stretch the field consistently. Curtis Samuel, the second-round pick from Ohio State, is fast, but he’s out with a shoulder injury. And when guys have gotten open deep, Newton hasn't been able to hit them.

4. What’s the biggest weakness on the Panthers’ defense you expect the Patriots to try to exploit?

Person: The secondary remains a weak spot for Carolina. Starting corner Daryl Worley is out, which means Kevon Seymour will make his fourth career start and first with the Panthers. Expect Tom Brady to test him early and often.

5. Finally, Panthers win on Sunday if …

Person: They control the clock and Christian McCaffrey has a big game. They also need to force turnovers on defense, but the Patriots don't cough the ball up very often.

Joe's pick:

I think Newton will play better than he did last week, but it still won't be enough.

Patriots 31, Panthers 21