The sequel, however, has been a major disappointment, especially recently with the Panthers surrendering 30.7 points per game since their 2-0 start -- a number which is 31st in a 32-team league over that span
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"I'm tired of just the same talk of 'Hey, keep your head up. We've got next week,'" Panthers safety Roman Harper said. "Eventually, we're going to run out of weeks here. So we've got to do what we need to do ... whatever it takes to start winning these ball games or we're not going to be where we want to be at the end of the year."
The biggest issue has been defending the run and Carolina has allowed over 130 ypg on the ground over the past month. That should bode well for McCoy, the 2013 rushing leader who has surged after a disappointing start with 349 yards over his last three games.
The Eagles' offensive line has been injury-ridden all season and lost right guard Todd Herremans for the season with a torn biceps. That was tempered a bit, though, by the projected return of All-Pro left guard Evan Mathis, who has been activated off short-term IR after injuring his knee in Week 1.
The biggest issue on the Panthers stop unit in the continued absence of star defensive end Greg Hardy, who remains on the exempt-commissioner's permission list while appealing his conviction on charges of domestic assault against his then-girlfriend.
"Selfishly, as a player, would we want him as a player on our team? Of course. He makes us better," tight end Greg Olsen told ESPN.com. "We also have to understand there's a bigger picture. There's bigger things at play, socially, just the environment we're in. You have to respect that."
Offensively, Carolina has but far too much on the shoulders of the immensely talented Newton, who plays behind a dismal offensive line and has few threats outside the numbers, save for rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
"He's a tremendous athlete, but I think he gets shortchanged when everybody just says he's a good athlete," Kelly said when discussing the Panthers' QB. "He's a really good quarterback. He can throw the ball (and) he can make all the throws. He's a complete quarterback.
"If guys are covered, his ability to then make something happen with his feet I think is what kind of sets him apart from some other guys in this league. He's a huge challenge for us in terms of facing him this week."
The problem is the Panthers' O-Line isn't very good when healthy and left tackle Byron Bell (knee/elbow), and guards Amini Silatolu (calf) and Trai Turner (knee/ankle) all were out with injuries against the Saints as Newton compiled a career-worst completion percentage.
The mini-bye week resulting from playing a Thursday night game against NOLA and a Monday night affair here has helped somewhat as all three are expected back in the lineup.
"Anything's possible," Rivera said. "Don't count us out. We're going to bounce back. We'll have a little bit of time to get some rest. We're going to get a whole bunch of guys back on the practice field, which gives me a lot of confidence."
Perhaps the best news for the Carolina offense is the absence of Ryans, who Kelly described as Mufasa, the righteous, wise and kindhearted leader in "The Lion King."
The limited Casey Matthews is expected to replace Ryans, although Emmanuel Acho and disappointing first-round pick Marcus Smith may also get some reps if Matthews falters.
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