CHARLOTTE -- At long last Sunday will arrive, and the NFL kicks off around the country, not just New York (as we saw the Giants beat Washington 16-7). Carolina opens with San Diego. It feels like the Panthers were in Spartanburg for training camp just last week. Instead, they are four exhibition games in, and ready to take on the AFC runner-up from last season.

The breakdown:

CAR offense v. SD defense

The Panthers offense underwent more than a makeover--it was a face lift. Gone are offensive linemen Mike Wahle, and Justin Hartwig, and in a Jeff Otah (draft), Keydrick Vincent (FA), and Ryan Kalil (2nd year player who was behind Hartwig ate center). The o-line went from smaller and athletic to big earth-movers. They will have to establish themselves early in the game, but may some issues with the Chargers 3-4 defense. Up front, it's Igor Olshansky Jamal Williams and Luis Castillo, and the linebackers are led by Shawne Merriman. Merriman is on a bad left knee (reportedly with 2 torn ligaments in that knee). Don't be surprised if the Chargers load up against the run with Steve Smithy out of the lineup for the first 2 weeks of the season. Carolina's O-line, and WR's will need to do a solid job of blocking to make space for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. If Carolina needs to throw, Jake Delhomme will need big days from Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett, and Dwayne Jarrett to be successful. From what I saw of the Panthers in the pre-season, I give them the edge, as long as they establish to ground attack.

Sports Night

News 14's Mike Solarte writes about the Carolina Panthers' Week 1 game at San Diego on the Sports Blog.

CAR defense v. SD offense:

Wow, what an opener. The Panthers first teamers allowed just 3 points in the pre-season (a field goal to Indianapolis, on their 3rd drive of the game). San Diego is loaded with weapons. Ladainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, and it all starts with QB Philip Rivers. Rivers is coming off of knee surgery, LT hasn't played a snap in the pre-season. There are some questions about the health of Gates. If you are a Panther fan, here's the rub. Anticipate all being 100 percent, and if they aren't, the Panthers then have the edge. Even if they are 100 percent healthy, their lack of work as a unit in the pre-season could produces some early signs of rust. Carolina needs to take advantage of that to have a chance. I'll give the edge to the Chargers, but it's only a small one, considering all factors.

Special Teams:

The Chargers have Nate Kaeding, one of the more reliable kickers in the league, while the Panthers have John Kasay. This is a wash. Rhys Lloyd should make a difference on kickoffs, provided he continues booming kicks into the end zone. Returners could find the Chargers with the advantage, as Mark Jones has signed with Carolina this week to handle those return duties. The Chargers will send veteran Darren Sproles back there. Jones has to learn personnel, and Panther schemes on returns, but he's also a 4 year vet. Continuity gives San Diego the edge here.

Coaching:

I have never been a fan of Norv Turner, but you can't argue with the results (at least with the Chargers). To me this is a push.

Prediction:

I am taking Carolina in this one, but don't count on this game being a blowout. If it is, that means the Panthers are being run out of the building, and will be looking for their flight home.

Enjoy the games!