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Edisto_Tiger
Member Sporting a Natty
Throughout the offseason, the Panthers have worked to further establish their homefield advantage.
Sunday night, they hope to negate homefield advantage – in the nation's largest media market.
"We've got to show we can handle that environment, and it's going to be a tough environment because it's New York and it's always loud there," said tight end Gary Barnidge, whose Panthers will travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the Jets in nationally televised affair (8 p.m., NBC).
"It's a chance to show what we've been working toward."
The Panthers, who split their two preseason games played at Bank of America Stadium, haven't won a preseason road game since 2007, when they beat the Giants in the New York teams' former home. Carolina did, however, win three of its final four road games last season.
The Panthers starters are likely to play into the second half, and they'll face a Jets team hungry for some success after totaling just nine points in a pair of losses to open the preseason.
"This is a great challenge for us," Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said. "This is a good program - two of the last three years the Jets went to the AFC Championship Game.
"I'm excited about the fact that we are going to be on the big stage. Sunday night, major prime-time game for us in the biggest city in the United States. We're pretty excited about the opportunity."
Here's a look at what the Panthers need to do to take advantage of the opportunity – and to position themselves for the fast approaching regular season.
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