Week 1 is finally here as the Carolina Panthers take on the Los Angeles Rams. The team is going to have to play well together if they are to start the season off with a win against the defending NFC Champions.

The Panthers landed a very tough opponent to open the 2019 season going up against the Rams. The Rams had an impressive 13-3 regular-season record last year. They didn’t slow down in the playoffs either. They rode their solid defense and high-powered offense all the way to the Super Bowl before losing to the New England Patriots.

2018 was not as kind to the Panthers as it was to the Rams. The team did get off to a great 6-2 start before losing seven of the final eight games of the year. Hopefully, Carolina can continue the early season success that they had last year into the early part of 2019.

All eyes will be on quarterback Cam Newton as he is working his way back from a few injuries. Newton is coming off his second shoulder surgery but isn’t expected to be limited in any way. He also sprained his ankle in the Panthers Week 3 preseason game against the Patriots. The team is optimistic he will be playing at or near 100-percent.

If the Panthers are going to come out with a win in Week 1 they have to play great football in all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. Carolina fans know that players like All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly and running back Christian McCaffrey are going to show up, but let’s look at some offensive role players that have to play well for the Panthers to beat the Rams.

Read on to see which three offensive players need to step up in order for the Panthers to win Week 1.