Christian McCaffrey's return isn't nearly enough to give any explosiveness to a Carolina offense that has just one opening week offensive line starter playing his original position and must turn to inaccurate backup QB P.J. Walker, who has a 1-to-5 touchdown-to-interception career ratio. This will be only Walker's second career NFL start.

Kyler Murray's MVP-caliber season is the big story in Arizona. But right next to it should be the tremendous strides its defense has made. The Cardinals have surrendered the third fewest points per game and fourth fewest yards.

The Cardinals may hold their two big weapons, Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, out a second straight game playing such a punchless opponent and coming off a 31-17 victory against the 49ers behind Colt McCoy and James Conner.

McCoy is a game manager. Conner is a North/South runner due for a heavy load with Chase Edmonds out with an ankle injury. The Panthers' strength is their young, talented defense.