The Panthers allow opponents to score on 71.4 percent of red-zone trips, ranking 27th in the league. They play the Falcons in Week 16.

Analysis: The Panthers were lit up for 31 points by the Falcons in Week 2 and only forced one turnover. The Falcons have three skilled wide receivers and RB Tevin Coleman shows occasional explosiveness. Atlanta doesn't offer much in the turnover department, either, coughing up the ball just 15 times to rank sixth in the league. The Panthers should be able to contain Coleman with their seventh-ranked run defense, but the passing game could get out of hand especially with a reasonable possibility of a…read more

The Panthers rank tied for 24th in the NFL in points allowed (25.5 per game) heading into Monday's game against the Saints.

Analysis: The Saints had a slow start against he Buccaneers last week and scored only 10 points the week prior against the Cowboys, as Drew Brees and the offense seem poised for a breakout effort in the final weeks of the regular season. The Panthers are mired in a five-game losing streak and have only three takeaways in that stretch, two of which came in last week's loss to the Browns. Carolina's strength is their rush defense (97.8 YPG), as they otherwise rank in the middle of the pack in most…read more

The Panthers have held their last three opponents under 100 rushing yards. They play the Browns in Week 14.

Analysis: Browns RB Nick Chubb only has two 100-yard outings on his resume this year, but he features touchdowns in four straight games. He'll give the Panthers plenty to handle while QB Baker Mayfield continues to light it up with eight passing scores in the last three contests. Mayfield chucked three interceptions in Week 13, but the Panthers don't appear to have the ball hawks to harvest on the rookie's vulnerability with only one turnover since Week 9. The Browns no longer trigger a must-start for…read more

The Panthers haven't forced a turnover in three weeks. They play the Buccaneers in Week 13.

Analysis: In the two teams' matchup earlier this year, the Bucs started QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now, they'll have Jameis Winston under center. Winston provides just as much upside for opposing defenses with a 10:11 TD:INT ratio in six games while adding a fumble as well. Despite their turnover prowess, the Bucs have scored 27 points in all but two games this year and rank first in the league with 454 total yards per game. There's low upside no matter who's under center, and the Panthers don't appear capable…read more

The Panthers have allowed opponents to score on 81.5 percent of red-zone trips, ranking 31st in the league. They play the Seahawks in Week 12.

Analysis: On the other hand, the Seahawks have been superb in the red zone with a 71-percent conversion rate. Partially due to the Seahawks' commitment to the run -- they rank first in run attempts and last in pass attempts -- they haven't scored over 31 points in a game this season. Nevertheless, they've been quite consistent and rarely turn the ball over with just nine in 10 games. The solid foundation of a defensive barn burner lifts the Panthers D/ST into fantasy contention, but owners shouldn't…read more

The Panthers allowed 52 points to the Steelers in Week 10. They play the Lions in Week 11.

Analysis: It's hard to put a game like last week's in the past, but the Panthers have a confidence-building opportunity in Week 11. The Lions have been atrocious lately, averaging 15 points per game and turning the ball over seven times over the last three weeks. Their offensive line has hung QB Matthew Stafford out to dry, too, as he was dropped 17 times in that span. The Panthers pass rush is inconsistent, but this outing could help right the ship, especially since Detroit's defense is vulnerable in…read more

The Panthers have allowed under 250 yards of passing in each of the last three games. They play the Steelers in Week 10.

Analysis: The Steelers rank fourth in the league with 313.7 passing yards per game, and that's partially due to the effectiveness of RB James Conner. He has four straight games with over 100 rushing yards and has more than 55 receiving yards in three of those contests. The Panthers have faced comparable backfields just twice this season -- the Falcons and the Giants -- and allowed over 30 points in each matchup. Yes, they've forced 15 turnovers in eight games, but the floor remains low against an offense…read more

The Panthers allowed 23 or less points in four of the last five games. They play the Buccaneers in Week 9.

Analysis: The Buccaneers rank first in the league with 467.2 yards per game, but this should still be a solid stream in a week with six teams on the bye. The Bucs have at least two turnovers in each of their last six games and coughed up eight in their last two. They'll be switching back to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in hopes to easing their woes. If FitzMagic is truly back -- he threw for 1,230 yards, 12 touchdowns and four picks in his first three starts of the season -- it could spell trouble. However, that…read more

The Panthers have allowed a 300-yard passer in three of the last four games. They play the Ravens in Week 8.

Analysis: The Ravens have been hot through the air averaging over 291 passing yards per game, and they've only threw four interceptions. That's how the Ravens will likely attack the Panthers since they don't have an elite running back, and Carolina has been strong against the run, allowing just two running backs to top 70 rushing yards thus far. The Panthers aren't great against the pass, as they've allowed 260.3 passing yards (17th in the league) per game and 11 touchdowns (15th). Therefore, the…read more

The Panthers have allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season. They play the Eagles in Week 7.

Analysis: The Eagles are averaging 4.0 yards per carry this season but won't have Jay Ajayi (knee) for the rest of the season, making the Panthers' job somewhat easier. Without Ajayi in Week 6, the Philadelphia running backs posted just 3.2 YPC with tons of garbage time work. That may not matter, however, with QB Carson Wentz back in form, completing 68.6 percent of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions over the last three games. Wentz will arguably be the best quarterback the…read more

The Panthers rank 26th in the league with 280.5 passing yards allowed per game. They play the Redskins in Week 6.

Analysis: Despite the high yardage total allowed, Carolina has surrendered just seven touchdowns and matched it with seven interceptions. Redskins QB Alex Smith hasn't been electric, but he's been generally safe with the ball, tossing just two interceptions while the rest of the Washington skill players have coughed up the ball twice. The Panthers have struggled against dual-threat backs, allowing 31 points to both the Falcons and Giants. The Redskins have also a solid one-two punch in the backfield with…read more

The Panthers are coming off a bye week and will play the Giants in Week 5.

Analysis: This is a dream matchup for the Panthers' front seven, which has notched eight sacks in three games. They'll now take on a shaky Giants offensive line that has surrendered 15 sacks through four contests. Even though he's completing 74.2 percent of his passes, Manning simply hasn't been productive, throwing four touchdowns and averaging 7.0 YPA. He hasn't been turnover prone which may lower the ceiling for Carolina D/ST, but Manning has led this offense to average just 21.3 points per game,…read more

The Panthers allowed 31 points to the Falcons in Week 2. They'll play the Bengals in Week 3.

Analysis: The Bengals, who have scored 34 points in each of their first two contests, are coming off a Thursday night game, so they'll be extra rested. They won't have RB Joe Mixon at their disposal, but they still have RB Giovani Bernard and WR A.J. Green, who already has four touchdowns. The Panthers have a tough defensive front to slow this fiery offense down, and their secondary ranks seventh in the league with an average of 205 passing yards allowed per game. The Bengals' offense has shown it can…read more

FS Kurt Coleman (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: Coleman's over-the-top presence would help shut down wideouts Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, who can both beat teams deep. The Panthers allowed 302 passing yards and 17 points in Week 9 and forced one turnover. Carolina is still vying for a playoff bye, too, and it can help knock out division-rival Atlanta with a win, so there's no reason to rest any starters Sunday. To add to their value, the Panthers have forced 10 turnovers in their last three matchups, giving them a high ceiling with a solid…read more

LB Thomas Davis (suspension) is listed as out, while LB Shaq Thompson (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Despite their struggles this season, the Bucs have put up steady numbers on offense, with at least 300 yards and 20 points in each of their last five games. The Panthers' defense hasn't been lockdown, but it has had a tough gauntlet of opponents lately, including QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who they forced four turnovers against. Bucs WR DeSean Jackson (ankle) will be out for the game too, eliminating some of the Bucs deep threat. Expect the Panthers to be one of championship week's top…read more

LB Shaq Thompson is nursing a foot injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Analysis: Thompson would provide some much-needed run stop against a Packers offense that has discovered the beauty of running backs in Aaron Rodgers absence. Which brings up the next point. He's back. Sure, he'll be coming fresh off an eight-week hiatus due to a collarbone injury, but he's still Aaron Rodgers. Before leaving with this ailment, he led the league with 13 touchdown passes in five games. There's just no telling how Rodgers will return, but that makes this matchup just as scary for the…read more

LB Shaq Thompson (foot) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Vikings.

Analysis: Thompson is an effective run stopper, so missing him will hurt against a Vikings that has accrued over 100 rushing yards seven times in their last eight games. Vikings QB Case Keenum has thrown for nine touchdowns and ran for one in the last four games, and he's directing their offense exactly as they need him to. They're now on a three-game streak without a turnover, and the Panthers aren't exactly turnover fiends with just 11 through 12 games. The Panthers defense isn't exciting enough to…read more

SS Mike Adams (knee) and CB Daryl Worley (foot) are nursing injuries ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.

Analysis: For what is normally a top defensive unit, the Panthers will have a big test in Week 13, especially if two of their top secondary members can't play. The Saints have posted 30 or more points in three of their last four games, only being stopped by a stellar Rams defense. Still, fantasy owners should be weary of starting a defense against the Saints, who are ranked second in passing and third in rushing, including two running backs with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage each -- Mark Ingram and…read more

No. 3 CB Captain Munnerlyn (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Analysis: The Jets have sneakily became a decent pass offense this season, so missing depth in the Panthers secondary could be an issue. In Week 10's game against the Dolphins, the Panthers allowed QB Jay Cutler to complete 59 percent of his passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Panthers still have the second-ranked defense in the league, even though they rank fourth-worst in forcing turnovers, which would come in handy against the Jets. This isn't a top defensive option in Week…read more

Carolina's defense will enter Monday's game against the Dolphins fully healthy.

Analysis: The Panthers' defense has been exceptional lately, allowing just 23 points over its last three matchups, forcing four turnovers in that time. Their fantasy value is amplified by the matchup with Miami, the league's second-worst offense. The Dolphins have been playing better lately, but they're still averaging under 15 points per game and have been kept in single digits three times. The script basically writes itself here: a hot, healthy defense against a stagnant offense. That's worthy of a…read more