Why to watch
Cam Newton comes in off a bye week. Steve Smith has almost 1,000 receiving yards already. And the Titans' defense has been slipping. These could be two teams heading in opposite directions.
Inside story
Six of Carolina's eight games have been decided by one score. Close games are the norm for the Panthers. The Panthers' special teams have been worst in the NFL, and the team is trying to adjust that coming out of the bye. Carolina is allowing a robust 4.6 yards per carry, so if Chris Johnson was going to get rolling ...