CHARLOTTE — The Panthers can't do anything about the Eagles game now, other than use it as motivation.
And that's been in plentiful supply, as they try to put a disappointing week behind them and move into this week's specific challenge — the Vikings.
Like the 3-2 Panthers, the 2-3 Vikings have been up and down this season, and they're playing a lot of close games which could go either way late.
There are things the Vikings do that present specific issues for the Panthers, which will be interesting to monitor as they move forward.
So here are five things to watch as Sunday's game unfolds.
SHORING UP THE LINE
The members of the Panthers offensive line are not in denial. They know the play of the line as a whole hasn't been what they need, especially in the absence of running back Christian McCaffrey.
And they know that Sunday against the Vikings, they have to protect better than they have for quarterback Sam Darnold to have a chance to run a McCaffrey-less offense. That's not a simple task against a team with two talented pass-rushers in Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen (10.0 sacks between them).
But they also believe it's not nearly as bad as it has looked at times, and that they're capable of doing what needs to be done.
Veteran left tackle Cameron Erving, back this week after a neck injury kept him out against the Eagles, said they know they have to play better, but they're also working to eliminate the distractions of "noise" from the outside. Erving said he avoids social media during the season, where so much of the negativity resides.
"People get a lot of this stuff confused, and they think football is real life," Erving said. "But they don't understand who we are in real life. So they can say whatever they want on a screen or on a monitor or whatever, but nine times out of 10, if those people saw us out in public they'd ask for a picture or an autograph. That's just how you put things in perspective.
"Everybody in this locker room understands we have to go out with a sense of urgency. We have to go out and perform better than we have. And everything else that comes from the outside in, that's hearsay. It is what it is. You disregard it."
The 29-year-old Erving said it has taken him years to develop a thicker skin about such things. He used to read the comments online for motivation, but realized that wasn't productive.
"But you see one thing, and a hundred people responded to this, and then 50 people responded to that. It kind of gets out of hand," he said. "You have to have laser focus. Things happen out there. This is a hard game to play. A lot of people don't get that. They just want to look at it and see touchdowns, 60 and 70-yard runs. That's not the game.
"When you're on good teams, you understand what style of play you have to play with. We understand what style of play we have to play with. And we haven't done it the last couple weeks and we've seen our production drop. But we've seen good things within it. It's not all bad. We just have to take and learn."
Getting Erving back on the field this week at least allows them to get back to their preferred lineup, with Taylor Moton back on his familiar (and better) right tackle spot. Moton admitted recently that it was difficult that the line hadn't played to expectations.
"It's disappointing," Moton said. "A lot to learn from and make sure that we're at our best. More than anything I like to come in here and just speak for myself. I just look at the film to see what I can do so Sam has the best opportunity he can. i want him to feel like it's 7-on-7 when he drops back. I feel like that's what my job is, is to help with that. Ultimately i just want to do my job one day at a time in practice and one play at a time in the game.
"I feel like I could do better. I always feel like I can do better. I need to play better and just ultimately figure out my mistakes, and fine tune my game, so I can get closer and closer to where I want to be at. It's a long journey, but it's about trusting the process."
STOPPING THE RUN
The Panthers struggled in Dallas, with a physical offensive line and one of the league's top running backs. So this week got more complicated with the return of Vikings running back Dalvin Cook from an ankle injury.
Of course, they have another outstanding back in Alexander Mattison. In his two starts when Cook was out, Mattison topped 100 yards rushing in each game and had 324 combined yards from scrimmage.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow said it was a more similar set-up to Dallas in terms of the way they run at you, and he has to hope for a better result. The Cowboys hit them for 245 yards on the ground that day.
The Panthers will also be without linebacker Shaq Thompson, out for another week with his foot injury.
QUARTERBACK TRENDS
Neither Darnold nor Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has been particularly sharp lately.
Darnold's thrown five interceptions the last two games, while taking a lot of hits.
And after throwing eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the first three weeks, Cousins has come back to Earth, with two touchdowns and two picks and a 79.5 passer rating in the last two.
As reductive as it may sound, the one who can avoid mistakes will give his team the best chance to win. The Panthers are hoping to create more pressure of their own, and they still lead the league in pass defense (184.5 yards per game).
But some of them remember last year's crushing loss, and how quickly Cousins can recover.
Despite a two-touchdown day from Panthers then-linebacker Jeremy Chinn, Cousins engineered a comeback, with two fourth-quarter touchdown drives (the clincher in the final minute) in a 28-27 win there.
REDDICK ON A HOT STREAK
With a pair of sacks last week against the Eagles, Panthers outside linebacker Haason Reddick continued his playmaking pace.
He's the only player in the NFL with four games of 1.5 sacks or more, and he's tied for second in the league with 6.5 for the season.
Only Cleveland's Myles Garrett (7.0) has more, and Garrett had 4.5 of his in one game against the Bears.
And since the start of last season (when he was with the Cardinals), Reddick has 19.5 sacks, a number second only to Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt over that span.
WAITING FOR NEWS
As mentioned above, McCaffrey will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury. He was ruled out Friday, and Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said the hope is that he can return next week against the Giants.
McCaffrey has now missed 16 of the 22 games Rhule has coached here, but Rhule disputed the idea that they're rushing him back, either last season or this season. McCaffrey missed 13 games last year with a collection of different injuries.
"I don't think we brought him back too early. We didn't bring him back at the end of the year (in 2020)," Rhule said. "I think Christian, we take everything like every player. We're never going to rush anyone back. When the doctors clear him and the player feels like they can play, we'll go with them.
"I don't think one thing relates to another. Christian had a foot, then he had a shoulder and then a quad. So it wasn't like it's any one thing. And now it's the hamstring. Whenever he's ready, we'll put him out there."
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The Panthers are 6-9 all-time against the Vikings, with a 3-2 record at home and 3-7 record on the road.
Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre (4) is hit by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the first half of an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) and his teammates celebrate as they take the field with less than two minutes left in the game when the Minnesota Vikings failed to convert on a fourth down play during the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002 in Minneapolis. The Panthers beat the Vikings 21-14.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Players huddle on the field during the first half of an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, left, walks off the field with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 31-13. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) carries the ball up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, left, scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is pressured by Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, right, meets with Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson following an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. The Panthers defeated the Vikings 35-10. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) catches a 32-yard touchdown pass in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during an NFL football game Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2013 file photo, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith crosses his arms after a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The agent for Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Panthers. Smith's longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just don't know when that transaction is going to take place." (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) slides into the end zone during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn, center, is tackled by Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford, left, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen tries to break the tackle of Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball over the Minnesota Vikings' defense during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. The Minnesota Vikings won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs away from Minnesota Vikings' Husain Abdullah during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. The Minnesota Vikings won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton scores a touchdown on a 7-yard run against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2011 file photo, Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, left, tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The man teammates call "Big Money" is living up to his $76.5 million contract so far with seven sacks and several other big plays for the Panthers (2-6) and is looking to build on his growing reputation as an impact player in the second half of the season. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is hit by Minnesota Vikings' Husain Abdullah (39) during the fourth quarter of Vikings' 24-21 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2009, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Jimmy Kennedy (73) in the second half of the Panthers' 26-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings were only 4-4 on the road in the regular season, the worst among NFC playoff teams and any of the four remaining contenders. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, left, tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2011. Minnesota won 24-21. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) hands off during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) celebrates during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre, right, talks with Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad after an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) lthrows against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) reacts after a Minnesota Vikings holding penalty in the second half of the Panthers' 26-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) staggers into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers Charles Godfrey, center, and Thomas Davis, top, during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) is hit by Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen (69) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. Moore fumbled the ball but the Panthers recovered. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs for 6 yards during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) prepares to throw a pass under pressure from Minnesota Vikings' Lance Johnstone (51) during the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme passes during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
Minnesota Vikings' Daunte Culpepper (11) reacts after he was hit during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 30, 2005. Culpepper left the game with a sprained knee. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past Minnesota Vikings' Fred Smoot (27) after a catch during the second quarter,Sunday Oct. 30, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor, center, is brought down after a two-yard gain by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers, top, Chris Draft, left, in the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Carolina Panthers against the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2016.
Jonathan Stewart runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Jonathan Stewart goes up for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton carries the football against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Kawann Short sacks the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Vernon Butler and Luke Kuechly make a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Julius Peppers pressures the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Luke Kuechly against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton passes against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Devin Funchess scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton and the Panthers line up in the red zone during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Mario Addison rushes the quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Mario Addison makes a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Captain Munnerlyn makes a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
