Patriots vs. Panthers: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Two of the NFL's most recognizable faces meet under the national spotlight when Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers welcome Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for Monday Night Football.

In a war of contrasting styles, it will be Carolina's impressive defense that hopes to stop a suddenly potent New England offense. Both teams ride win streaks, although New England's two wins pale in comparison to Carolina's five.

Newton and the Panthers need this one more—they remain in second place in the NFC South at 6-3 behind New Orleans. The 7-2 Patriots remain comfortably in first in the AFC East, but a better playoff seed wouldn't hurt.

Kick back and enjoy this one. It's not often fans get to watch two of the NFL's best duke it out in a nationally televised affair. Here is everything to know about the contest.

When: Monday, Nov. 18, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Vegas Insider) 

• Over/Under: 46
• Spread: Carolina (-2.5)

Patriots Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Name	Position	Injury	Status
Rob Gronkowski	TE	Back/Forearm/Hamstring	Limited in Practice	Probable
Leon Washington	RB	Ankle	Limited in Practice	Questionable
Tom Brady	QB	Shoulder	Practiced in Full	Probable
Steve Gregory	S	Finger	Did Not Practice	Out
Alfonzo Dennard	CB	Knee	Limited in Practice	Out
Kyle Arrington	CB	Groin	Limited in Practice	Questionable
Danny Amendola	WR	Groin	Practiced in Full	Probable
Matt Slater	WR	Wrist	Practiced in Full	Probable
Brandon Bolden	RB	Knee	Limited in Practice	--
Aqib Talib	CB	Hip	Limited in Practice	Questionable

Panthers Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Name	Position	Injury	Status	Game Status
Jordan Gross	T	Not injury related	Practice in Full	Probable
Ben Hartsock	TE	Knee	Did Not Practice	Out
Chase Blackburn	LB	Foot	Did Not Practice	Out
Chris Scott	G	Knee	Did Not Practice	Out
Dwan Edwards	DT	Hamstring	Practice in Full	Probable
Mike Tolbert	RB	Not injury related	Practice in Full	Probable
rayton Florence	CB	Groin	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable

Can the Patriots Keep the Ball Rolling?

It was not too long ago fans were asking if Brady had finally hit regression mode. Before a huge Week 9 victory over Pittsburgh, Brady had thrown for over 300 yards just once in eight games, thrown multiple touchdowns just three times and completed less than 60 percent of his passes six times. 

Brady then threw for 432 yards and four scores with close to a 70 percent completion percentage against Pittsburgh.

It's hard to tell which Brady and New England offense will show up on Monday, but a safe bet would be the Patriots scoring less than 55 points and fewer than 600 total yards.

New England coach Bill Belichick knows his offense faces a tough task as Ben Volin of the Boston Globe illustrates:

Carolina touts the NFL's second-best scoring defense at just 12.8 points per game and is especially stout against the pass at just 201.3 yards per game allowed.

Oh, the Luke Kuechly-led Panthers have also allowed the fewest first downs, rank No. 4 in forced turnovers with 21 and allow opponents to convert just 33.9 percent of their third downs.

Brady has his work cut out for him if the Patriots are to notch a road win.

Prediction

New England will find little room to operate against a Carolina defense that simply suffocates offenses.

If that's not bad enough, Newton leads the NFL's No. 10 rushing attack and a unit overall that leads the NFL in time of possession at 33:48. Over the course of its win streak, Carolina has outscored opponents 140-57.

If Brady does not have the ball in his hands, he can't win the game. Thanks to a triple-headed monster on the ground with Newton and running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers will continue to play their style of football and prevent Brady from taking over. 

It won't be a sexy game by any means, but fans who appreciate quality defense will surely enjoy it Monday when the Panthers force Brady and the Patriots back to their ineffective early-season form.

Final Score: Panthers 23, Patriots 20

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