Delanie Walker vs. Thomas Davis

The Titans haven't been very relevant in the win loss category over the past few years, but they've quietly assembled some impressive pieces around Marcus Mariota, and one of them is Delanie Walker. Walker spent most of his career in San Francisco playing second fiddle to Vernon Davis, but after being signed by Tennessee he's been putting up some great numbers despite up and down quarterback play, with 123 catches for 1461 yards and 10 touchdowns prior to 2015. This season, he's on pace to set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns despite only starting 4 games so far due to injury, with 42 catches for 456 yards and 3 TDs. Just goes to show how good quarterback play can alter a career.

The Panthers linebackers have faced good tight ends in the past, however it's pretty evident that Delanie Walker is one of Mariota's favorite targets from watching their games. With Kendall Wright likely still out this week, the Titans will have to look for rookie Dorial Green-Beckham, Justin Hunter, and Harry Douglas to step up. But make no mistake, Walker is Mariota's security blanket and is quite underrated as a playmaker. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Panthers use Davis to play Walker much like they have done in the past against Jimmy Graham.





Jurrell Casey vs. Trai Turner/Amini Silatolu

Another one of those underrated pieces is defensive lineman Jurrell Casey. You ask any Titans fan who their best player is on defense, and I bet 9/10 would say Casey. I've personally always been a HUGE fan of Casey, who has been disruptive in the pocket and in the run game despite some lackluster defenses in the past. Panthers fans have always griped about Thomas Davis being snubbed from the Pro Bowl, well that guy is Jurell Casey for Titans fans.

Casey already has 4 sacks this year and could be a big problem for the offensive line that will likely be missing Andrew Norwell once again. This offensive line play has been outstanding all year, and most of that comes from the interior. Jurell Casey and Sammie Hill could be a bit of a challenge for the inside, where Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo will be coming from the outside. The way the trenches shake out will come from Jurell Casey's effectiveness. I bet this will be a nasty game on the ground.





Perrish Cox/Jason McCourty vs. Devin Funchess

After Funchess enjoyed his coming out party last week, I expect the Panthers to try and get him more involved. This could be a good week for it, as all three of the Titans top corners are listed on the injury report with hammies and a groin injury. Ted Ginn and Philly Brown will see their snaps, and Brown especially has been playing well, but Funchess is the piece that could help push the Panthers further into the playoffs. He creates the size mismatch the Panthers have sorely missed in Benjamin's absence.

Jason McCourty is a good corner, and brother to New Englad standout Devin McCourty. He's had at least 11 pass deflections in each of the last four seasons, and he could see quite a bit of Funchess this weekend. If not, Perrish Cox and Blidi Wreh-Wilson will be tasked with stopping the passing offense. After the passing success last week the Panthers will try to keep it rolling this week.





Kony Ealy vs. Byron Bell

Oh Bell. Oh Belly-Belly-Bell. It's great to see you again, playing tackle still. It's cute actually.

Jokes aside this could be a grudge match for Bell, who will see Ealy and Mario Addison a fair amount. The Panthers will bring the four man rush and try to rattle this rookie quarterback, and what better way than attack the right side? Taylor Lewan plays left tackle and will see Jared Allen. But who are we kidding? Panthers fans want watch Byron get his Bell rung, see what it's like to watch the human turnstyle actually generate sacks FOR the Panthers instead of against them. Bell could be the MVP of the defense before it's all said and done.

And I thought I wouldn't be writing about Byron Bell ever again. What a fool I was.