Matchup Notes
--The Panthers and Bengals are tied in the all-time series 2-2-1. The Panthers won the first two games, both at home, while Cincinnati won the next two. In the most recent meeting in 2014, the teams tied at the end of overtime, marking the first and only tie in Panthers history. Carolina is 2-1 all-time against the Bengals at home.
--Offensively, the Panthers are currently ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing offense (134.0) while the Bengals rank third in rushing defense (70.5). Carolina's passing attack ranks seventh (205.0), while the Bengals passing defense is ranked 30th (332.0). On the flip side, Cincinnati is averaging 34.0 points per game (4th), while the Panthers have allowed 20.0 points a game (22nd).
--After tying the franchise record with 14 receptions in Week 2, Christian McCaffrey currently ranks second in the NFL with 20 receptions and third among running backs with 147 receiving yards.
--Cincinnati's Andy Dalton ranks third in the AFC with a 108.5 passer rating, while A.J. Green is tied for the most points in the AFC (24) after he set a career high with three receiving touchdowns against Baltimore in Week 2. Cincinnati's 68 total points ranks as the second-highest point total after two games in franchise history. The Bengals have five takeaways in their first two contests, already more than a third of their 2017 total of 14.
--Mike Adams has played the Bengals 12 times, while Torrey Smith has faced them nine times. In Adams' 12 games, he's averaged 3.6 tackles with one interception, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Smith has averaged 45.7 receiving yards per game including a 165-yard performance with a touchdown vs. the Bengals in 2011.
Upcoming Milestones
Panthers players have a number of career milestones that could be in reach for Sunday's game:
--Luke Kuechly needs one tackle to move into sole possession of second place all-time in the franchise with 954 tackles (coaches stats), passing Mike Minter's 953 stops.
--Cam Newton needs 63 rushing yards to pass Randall Cunningham (4,482 - Philadelphia) for the most rushing yards by a quarterback with a single franchise in NFL history.
--Christian McCaffrey needs four receptions to pass Anthony Johnson for sixth-most receptions by a running back in franchise history.
--Kawann Short needs 3.0 sacks to pass Greg Hardy for sixth all-time in franchise history.
--Carolina has won six home games in a row dating back to last season. That streak is tied with the Vikings, Patriots and Jaguars for the longest active home win streak in the NFL.
Connections
--Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio.
--Panthers assistant offensive line coach Travelle Wharton played for the Bengals in 2012, while linebacker Ben Jacobs spent time on the Bengals practice squad in 2012.
--A number of current Bengals players are from the Carolinas including A.J. Green (Summerville, S.C.), Carlos Dunlap (North Charleston, S.C.), Auden Tate (Irmo, S.C.) and Tony McRae (Laurinburg, N.C.). Jessie Bates played at Wake Forest, Giovani Bernard played at North Carolina, Vincent Rey played at Duke and Tony McRae played at North Carolina A&T.
--Notable college teammate pairs include Rashaan Gaulden/Josh Malone (Tennessee), Shaq Thompson/John Ross (Washington), Taylor Moton/Darius Phillips (Western Michigan) and Andy Dalton/Colin Jones (TCU).
--Giovani Bernard, Bobby Hart, Bryan Cox, Jr., and Michael Palardy all attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
