New England hosts Carolina in Week 4 as two 1-2 clubs meet in a game that could shape early-season narratives. Bryce Young’s development remains uneven, flashing high-end decision-making but occasional turnover risk that worries fantasy managers. Carolina’s passing attack hinges on Tetairoa McMillan when healthy, with Xavier Legette stepping in as a complementary playmaker. Derrick Brown anchors a formidable Panthers front, while New England will lean on the ground game to control tempo.

Expect a grind-it-out, clock-minting affair where the Patriots must win the trenches and protect the ball, and Carolina must avoid self-inflicted mistakes while popping for big plays when opportunities arise. The 5.5-point spread suggests a tight finish rather than a blowout, with fantasy upside hinging on McMillan’s availability, Brown’s interior disruption, and the Patriots’ ability to polarize Young with pressure.

Carolina’s 30-0 win over Atlanta signals a sharp, multi-facet turnaround: a ball-hawking defense, cleaner ball security from Bryce Young, and a special-teams surge that pins opponents with poor field positions. The unit-wide improvement—especially in the turnover column and run defense—fuels a momentum swing after a rough start, setting up a palpable upgrade in approach and confidence for the Panthers.

Key contributors include Derrick Brown setting the tone upfront, Moehrig and Scott locking down the back end, and Ryan Fitzgerald drilling a 57-yarder as part of a revamped kicking game. With a stingy defense and a cleaner offense, Carolina rides the momentum into a favorable matchup against New England and beyond.

Panthers work out Baylon Spector, the Bills’ 2022 seventh-round pick and Clemson product, as Carolina continues to fortify inside linebacker depth. Spector appeared in 26 NFL games with Buffalo, including four starts in 2024, logging 40 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. With four ILBs on the active roster—Rozeboom, Wallace, Cherelus and Bam Martin-Scott—the workout signals added insurance rather than an immediate signing as Carolina plans to evaluate ahead of camp.

His Clemson pedigree and Bills experience give him versatility in coverage and run support, potentially boosting special-teams value. If he signs, Spector could compete for a rotational role in sub-packages or a staggered snap share, keeping the Panthers’ depth chart crowded but flexible through the preseason and into Week 1.