MUNICH, Germany —Guten Morgen Panthers fans!

Process blue has taken over Munich as the Carolina Panthers prepare to take on the New York Giants Sunday morning at Allianz Arena.

Coach Dave Canales has harped on the game staying the same no matter what—"I promised the guys that the field will be 53 and a third by 100 yards. So, they're fired up to take on the challenge"—but acknowledges there is still a bit of mystique surrounding the whole experience playing in Europe. The team practiced at FC Bayern München on Friday and Saturday and did a walk-through at Allianz Arena on Saturday, simply to experience the awe well ahead of game time.

"I also want them to enjoy being here, being in another country, look at this cool experience and show the feel and show the gratitude of we play in the best league of football that there is and there's a fan base worldwide," Canales said Friday.

"This is really cool, and I think the guys can feel that just, I can tell by the energy and kind of knowing like this is a cool deal for us. So, I want to enjoy it."

Aside from enjoying the experience, there is still a game that will kick off Sunday afternoon. Here are five things to watch in the matchup.

Slayton out as Fuller possibly returns

The Panthers could get possibly two assists in the secondary this weekend. SafetyJordan Fuller is on track to return after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 3. His return would give the Panthers back a starter on the backend, who had 15 tackles before his injury.

Another help for the Panthers defensive backs this weekend? The lack of Darius Slayton. The Giants wide receiver did not travel to Germany, as he remains in concussion protocol. Slayton was the second leading receiver behind Malik Nabers. Wan'Dale Robinson is third in receiving, with 51 receptions for 343 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero took stock of both Nabers and Robinson earlier this week, pointing them out as two to watch.

"I got a lot of respect for these receivers Nabers, Slayton and then obviously, No. 17 (Robinson) when he's inside as well," Evero said. "They got good skill players, and we know that they're explosive and have the ability to stretch the field."

Of further help to the Panthers? According to Next Gen Stats, Carolina's outside corner duo of Jaycee Horn (9, T-4th) and Michael Jackson (7, T-13th) both rank top 15 in passes defended this season. Furthermore, the Panthers have utilized a zone blitz at the 5th-highest rate in the NFL this season. Daniel Jones has recorded a 75.3 passer rating against zone blitzes this season, 10th-lowest in the NFL.

Can Chuba capitalize on extension?

Chuba Hubbardreceived a four-year extension this week, establishing the running back as a big piece of the franchise's future. He has a chance to prove why again (as if he hasn't already) this weekend.

The Giants do have a monster at defensive tackle that will try to stop him though, in Dexter Lawrence. He can be a game wrecker, with 34 tackles from the DT position (in addition to his nine sacks).

Lawrence doesn't play every snap though. So when he's not on the field, could the Panthers and Hubbard take advantage? According to Next Gen Stats, Hubbard has been contacted behind the line of scrimmage at the 2nd-lowest rate among running backs (min. 50 carries), accumulating a career-high 211 yards before contact. The Giants have allowed the 5th-most yards before contact to running backs (314), contacting running backs behind the line of scrimmage on 43.1% of rushes, just above league average (42.4%).

Brady vs. Brian Burns

There are a couple of Giants whom Panthers fans will be familiar with. One in particular is outside linebacker Brian Burns. The edge rusher has 35 quarterback pressures (with 17 quick pressures) on 244 pass rush snaps (14.3 percent) with five.

Brady Christensen will draw the Burns assignment thanks to another week at left tackle. It's a matchup Christensen is familiar with, thanks to countless snaps in Charlotte practices.

"Yeah, Brian's, he's an awesome guy," Christensen said this week. "I faced him a lot, you know, my rookie and even second year for training camp. So he's, he's a hell of a player and, and really excited face that whole D line. That D line is top notch, that defense is top notch. And so it's, it's a big challenge for us up front this week.

"Burns, he can bend like no other. He's 6-5 and long and he can bend."

Bryce vs the Blitz

Bryce Young will be starting his third game in a row after a previous quarterback change. Coaches worked this offseason to lower Young's throwing time. It's an ongoing process as, according to NGS, Young has released the ball on average 1.00 seconds after he is pressured, the 5th-longest time to throw after being pressured in the NFL.

However, in Week 9 against the Saints, Young generated positive EPA (+2.5) against pressure for the first time in his career, completing 2 of 6 attempts for 61 yards. And since Week 8, Young has a 101.2 quarterback rating versus the blitz. He's assisted behind an offensive line that has allowed the eighth fewest sacks (17).

The kicker

So, here's the kicker. We're still not sure who will be the kicker for the Giants on Sunday. New York will have to make a decision about Graham Gano by days end on Saturday, but for now he remains on injured reserve and is officially listed as questionable.

Ahead of his Week 2 hamstring injury, the former Panther had gone 2-2 with a long of 50-yards on field goals this season. In his place, the Giants turned to Greg Joseph, but he was waived from IR this week if Gano isn't able to go, the Giants would turn to Jude McAtamney. He has gone 1-1 on field goals with a long of 31-yards.

It creates an interesting conundrum for the Panthers special teams unit as they prepare.

"Graham, former Panther, as a possibility to kick, they have two punters that are possible, they have two kickers that are possibilities," special teams coordinator Tracy Smith said this week.

"Each of them have their own style. So you kind of lend what you're going to do or what you're expecting based on who's swinging at the ball. So, we have kind of the contingency plan for any of the four or the combination of those two guys on, punting and kicking this week."