The Panthers are heading to Southern California for their longest road trip of the 2020 season. Here are five things to watch as they take on the Chargers.
How will Mike Davis perform?
With All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey sidelined for at least the next three weeks with a high ankle sprain, Mike Davis will start at the position. Davis' teammates and Carolina's coaches have praised the 27-year-old running back, with senior offensive assistant/running backs coach Jeff Nixon said this week he expects Davis to do "big things" for the team.
Davis has plenty of playing experience and displayed his receiving ability with eight receptions in last week's loss to the Buccaneers. Replacing McCaffrey will be a tall task, but throughout the week, Panthers players and coaches have said they need Davis to be himself and nothing more.
Can the Panthers pressure Justin Herbert?
One of the best ways to knock a rookie quarterback off his game is to pressure him. But through two games, the Panthers have struggled mightily to get to the quarterback.
Carolina is the only team in the league that has not recorded a sack. The Panthers also have just one quarterback hit while no other team has fewer than four. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow admitted Carolina's lack of pass rush is a concern this week.
Herbert displayed his raw talent in Los Angeles' loss to Kansas City last week. Starting on very short notice, the rookie out of Oregon finished 22-of-33 for 311 yards with one touchdown passing, one touchdown rushing, and an interception. Herbert took two sacks but was hit a total of seven times.
If the Panthers let Herbert stand in the pocket and hit his talented skill players, it could be a long day.
Will Russell Okung play?
Left tackle Russell Okung didn't practice on Thursday with a groin injury but was back as a full participant on Friday. Every team wants its starting left tackle on the field, but it could be especially critical for the Panthers in Week 3 against the Chargers' pass rush.
While three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Melvin Ingram is doubtful to play with a knee injury, Los Angeles still has two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa. He recorded 11.5 sacks in 2019 and has 2.0 through two games this year, along with five quarterback hits and three tackles for loss.
The Chargers are currently tied for second in the league with a combined 29 sacks, hurries, and knockdowns, signifying they can pressure opposing quarterbacks. That was a struggle for the Panthers last week at Tampa Bay, as Teddy Bridgewater was sacked five times and hit a total of seven.
If Okung does not play, Greg Little or Trent Scott will start in his place with big shoes to fill.
Can Robby Anderson continue his strong start?
Wide receiver Robby Anderson entered Week 3 fourth among all players with 223 yards receiving. Part of that is his strong chemistry with Bridgewater, as he's caught 15 of his 18 targets in the first two games. That's a significant increase from Anderson's 54.2 percent catch rate from his first four seasons with the Jets. His 12.4 yards per target also well eclipses his 8.0 figure from 2016-2019.
Carolina has plenty of offensive weapons, but with McCaffrey out, everyone has to step up to replace his production. If Anderson continues his hot start, that could go a long way in putting the Panthers in a position to win.
Will the Panthers cut down on consequential penalties?
Carolina's defense played a much better second half than the first 30 minutes last week against Tampa Bay. Still, costly penalties kept the unit on the field longer than it needed to be. The Buccaneers recorded four first downs via penalty, and a pair of them came from rookie defensive tackle Derrick Brown. That continued a trend from Week 1, where linebacker Tahir Whitehead's defensive pass interference penalty kept the Raiders on the field for their game-winning touchdown drive.
Though the Chargers haven't scored more than 20 points in a game yet this season, they easily could if the Panthers allow them to stay on the field through drive-extending fouls.
Carolina holds a 5-1 edge in the all-time series against the Chargers.
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert scores against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past the defense of San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams celebrates as the referee indicates touchdown after his 45 yard reception against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert sails over the top of the San Diego Chargers defense to score a touchdown during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers loses the battle for the fumbled ball with Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Nate Chandler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert (35) tries to break the tackle of San Diego Chargers Eric Weddle (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers tight end Dante Rosario (88) runs as he tries to break the tackle of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle watch as Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams(34) and Cam Newton(1) celebrate their 45 yard touchdown pass during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton escapes the rush of San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Tailgaters enjoy the sunshine prior to start of the NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith cuts behind a block after catching a ,pass against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) looks for some running room as he runs past San Diego Chargers' Derek Watt (34) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart, front, tries to run through the grasp of San Diego Chargers' Korey Toomer, back, during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass from the end zone against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) grimaces as he is sacked for a touchback by Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks for some running room against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner, left, shakes hands with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in San Diego. The Panthers won 31-7. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) looses his helmet, but moves the ball against the Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) and Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) lifts San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson off the ground as he tackles him on a 8-yard run in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox coaches defensive end Julius Peppers, left, during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won the game 26-24. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris celebrates after forcing San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates to fumble in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble returned the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme throws a pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won 26-24. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers Dante Rosario, right, leaps to catch a 14-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme while San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, left foreground, defends during the final moments of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The play gave Carolina a 26-24 victory over San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) fumbles as he is hit by Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) and cornerback Chris Gamble, left, during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Gamble recovered the fumble and ran it back 31 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers tight end Dante Rosario, left, makes a 14-yard touchdown catch in front of the coverage of San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, right, as time runs out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The touchdown gave the Panthers a 26-24 win. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers, left, slips past Carolina Panthers free safety Charles Godfrey (30) for a touchdown on a 44-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Derek Smith, right, on an eight-yard run during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers Thomas Davis, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Jesse Chatman (24) goes between teammate Shane Olivea (70) and Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch (28) for a touchdown in the final minutes of the Chargers' 17-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass to Lorenzo Neal (41) in the third quarter of the Chargers' 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
A potential touchdown pass slips through the hands of Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. The Chargers won, 17-6. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel (48) in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) is brought down by San Diego Chargers' Jerry Wilson in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) spikes a ball during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) runs upfield during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Running back Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka (21) of the Carolina Panthers runs upfield as Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (55) attempts a tackle as Chargers defensive tackle Norman Hand (96) watches in a 26 to 7 win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qaulcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
