Panthers at Chargers -- Week 15
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Chargers by 3
Forecast: 30 percent chance of showers, temperatures in the high 50s.
Records: Panthers (4-9; NFC South 2-3); Chargers (5-8; AFC West 3-2)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 7, 2008: Panthers 26, Chargers 24; Oct. 24, 2004: Chargers 17, Panthers 6. Series record: Panthers lead 3-1.
What matters: Panthers coach Ron Rivera returns to San Diego, where he was defensive coordinator before taking the Carolina job. Despite last week’s win over divisional rival Atlanta, Rivera’s return is less than triumphant. The Panthers have underperformed in a season where they were considered dark-horse playoff contenders, and Rivera’s coaching future is in doubt. His former boss, Chargers coach Norv Turner, is on an even hotter seat, with reports that the decision already has been made to cut him loose after the season.
Who matters: Carolina QB Cam Newton opened his career with back-to-back 400-yard games last season, but the last six weeks might be the best prolonged stretch of play in his career. Newton has averaged 253 passing yards and 55 rushing yards a game over that stretch. He has 11 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores in the past six games, while only turning the ball over twice. Chargers QB Philip Rivers is on pace for his lowest passing yardage in five years. He’s been sacked 37 times, which is second-highest in the league and one shy of his career high for a season.
Key matchup: Chargers WRs Danario Alexander and Malcom Floyd against the Carolina secondary. Alexander has a career high in catches, yardage, and touchdowns, with most of his production coming in the last five weeks. The Panthers have been hit hard by injury in the defensive backfield. Rookie D.J. Campbell went from the inactive list to starting safety in the last two weeks. Rivers will have his choice of rookies to target, since Josh Norman is starting at CB.
Injuries of note: The Panthers' offense may be missing three starters. RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) has missed the last two games and hasn't practiced this week. WR Brandon LaFell (toe) missed last week, and C Geoff Hangartner left the game against the Falcons with a foot injury. Neither has practiced yet this week, and WR Louis Murphy has been limited by a hamstring. For San Diego, RB Ronnie Brown (hamstring), LB Donald Butler (groin), and offensive linement Jeromey Clary (knee) and Tyronne Green (hamstring) have missed practice.
Inside stuff: Unless the Panthers average four field goals a game over the final three weeks of the season, they’ll set a team record for fewest FG attempts in a season. Through 13 games, Carolina has attempted 14 field goals. Their all-time low is 25, set in 2004 and 1997.
Connections: Rivera and offensive coordinator Rod Chudzinski were Chargers coaches until 2010. RB MikeTolbert played for the Chargers from 2008 to 2011.
Stat you should know: The Panthers are 3-2 this season when Newton doesn’t have an interception or fumble. They’re 1-7 when he turns the ball over.
Record watch: WR Steve Smith needs one receiving yard to reach 1,000 for the season. It will be his seventh time hitting the milestone. Greg Olsen needs 131 receiving yards to set a team single-season record for tight ends. He’s currently in fourth place, and can move into second with 56 yards. Wesley Walls holds all three of the spots above him.
Bulletin board quote: “I know they’re struggling. Our seasons kind of mirror each other. Expectations were a lot higher. We had some bad, crazy things happen.” -- Rivera on his return to San Diego
Looking ahead: The Panthers finish the season with a home game against Oakland and a trip to New Orleans. They need to win two of their final three to match last season’s 6-10 record.
Prediction: Panthers 30, Chargers 21
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Carolina Panthers from blogger Shawn Krest, follow @CBSPanthers.