This week's match-up will be just the third meeting between the Panthers and the Patriots and just the second in the preseason. The two teams met last year in their preseason finales and the Panthers won 23-20 (see below). The Panthers, who entered the league in 1995, have never lost to the Patriots. In fact, they are the only NFL team the Patriots have never beaten.

The Patriots concluded their 1999 preseason with a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers in Ericsson Stadium. The two teams combined for 27 points in the final quarter, which culminated with two field goals in the final nine seconds. Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 58-yard, game-tying field goal with just three seconds remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers downed the ball with one second remaining and Panther kicker John Kasay kicked a 61-yard field goal for the win.

The Patriots only generated 44 total yards in the first half, but still found themselves tied at three. The Patriots defense bent but did'nt break in the first half against the Panthers. They moved inside their 10-yard line twice and came away with only one field goal. In the first quarter the Panthers had first and goal on the 5-yard line but were stopped in their tracks by the Patriots. Defensive end Willie McGinest sacked quarterback Steve Beuerlein on 4th-and-1 on the 1-yardline to end their drive.