Week 3 of the NFL preseason typically is when starters get an extended period of playing time, so Thursday night's game between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium should be an exciting matchup.
The Patriots are 2-0 in the preseason with impressive wins over the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans.
The biggest takeaway from the first two weeks has been the encouraging performances of the Patriots rookies. New England's first-year players have played quite well, most notably undrafted wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Meyers, Stidham and edge rusher Chase Winovich all made Pro Football Focus' list of the top 10 offensive and defensive rookies through the first half of the preseason.
A pair of top-tier quarterbacks likely will steal the show Thursday night. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is expected to play, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Patriots quarterback Tom Brady get his first action of the preseason. Brady's last appearance for the Patriots was their 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII back in February.
Here's how and when to watch Patriots vs. Panthers online. Be sure to catch "Pregame Live" at 7 p.m. ET and "Postgame Live" at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston as well.
When: Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: WBZ
Live Stream: Patriots.com
Five Patriots players to watch vs. Panthers>>>
New England Patriots
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