James Bradberry/Daryl Worley - Carolina has a pair of second-year cornerbacks who are both 6-1 and over 200 pounds. They have size and potential. But going against the likes of smaller, speedy targets Brandin Cooks, Phillip Dorsett and Danny Amendola that size and inexperience could very well be a big liability for the Panthers.

Christian McCaffrey - The theory of the first-round rookie running back is a little ahead of the production right now. Still, McCaffrey is obviously a dangerous athlete who can line up all over the field and is coming off his first 100-yard game as a receiver. New England can't let him look like Kareem Hunt on opening night.

Luke Kuechly - The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is back and healthy after last year's concussion scare. Kuechly is arguably the best pure inside linebacker in the game and will go a long way toward trying to take away New England's underneath passing game as well as the Patriots struggling running game.

Julius Peppers - Tom Brady gets a lot of talk for his remarkable play in his 18th season, but one of the guys who'll be chasing him Sunday is a similarly ageless wonder. The former No. 1 overall pick Peppers leads the Panthers with 2.5 sacks early in his 16th season, back in Carolina after a seven-year layover in Chicago and Green Bay.

Devin McCourty - The Patriots Pro Bowl safety and captain has not gotten off to the best start in 2017. McCourty struggled in coverage last week and bears some of the responsibility for pulling together things in the back. He also will be part of the plan for dealing with Panthers unique rookie weapon Christian McCaffrey.

Tom Brady - The two-time reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week says he feels younger and better than ever. Brady is playing at a truly elite level and has more than enough weapons to continue the aerial attack against the Panthers.

Trey Flowers - The Patriots pass rush remains very much a work in progress. Flowers leads the team with three sacks but the entire front needs to improve its controlled rush against Cam Newton, even if the former MVP isn't running the same way he has in the past. 

Rob Gronkowski - Last time we saw the big tight end face Luke Kuechly and the Panthers it was a controversial ending to the Patriots loss. Gronkowski is playing extremely well these days, back to his dominating self and that should be on full display against the middle of the Carolina defense that sports impressive linebackers and questionable safeties.

Cam Newton - Newton is only a season removed from his 2015 MVP season but a lot has gone on the last year-plus. Newton is coming off a shoulder injury that has him running less and not throwing the ball very well early in the season. Still, the way the Patriots secondary is playing New England needs to make sure its defense isn't the cure for what ails Newton these days.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady steps on the field for an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship on Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, speaks with center David Andrews, right, during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship on Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer stretches during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship on Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, left, and offensive guard Shaq Mason, right, line up during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship on Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)