5 NFL teams that must win in Week 3

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) looks on during the NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 12: Christian McCaffrey (22) running back of Carolina during a NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2019, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are 0-2, and it seems like their 2019 season has yet to truly begin. After a dreadful 1-7 stretch run a year ago, the Panthers have dropped back-to-back games at home to start the season.

The Panthers’ loss to the Rams was understandable since the Rams are one of the best teams in football, but falling at home to a Tampa Bay team that got whacked by the 49ers in Week 1 was a tough pill to swallow. Carolina came very close to a victory in that game, with Christian McCaffrey’s last minute dive for the end zone falling just short of the line to gain.

The main concern with Carolina remains the performance of quarterback Cam Newton, who looks like a shell of himself. Newton’s status for this game is in doubt after he aggravated an existing foot injury, but even if he plays it will be hard to count on Newton to deliver a performance closer to the MVP caliber level he is capable of reaching.

The Panthers hit the road this week against the Arizona Cardinals, a game they are favored in but is far trickier than it initially appears. The Cardinals came back from the dead in Week 1 to force a tie against the Lions before fighting hard against the Ravens in Baltimore last Sunday.

This game won’t be easy for the Panthers, but they have to get it if they want to have any chance to take advantage of the chaos Drew Brees’ injury created in the NFC South. An 0-3 start would continue to raise questions about Newton’s health and the future of head coach Ron Rivera.