How to watch Panthers vs. Bengals 2014: Online, time, TV schedule and radio

The Bengals hope to return to elite form against the visiting Panthers.

Oct 12, 2014, 12:30 PM UTC

Jared Wickerham

After being embarrassed on national television by a resurgent New England Patriots team, the Cincinnati Bengals look to reestablish themselves among the NFL's elite when they welcome the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Meanwhile, the Panthers hope to take charge in a weak NFC South division after their come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bears.

Despite the poor team showing last week, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton played well. Against one of the better pass defenses in the league, he completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver A.J. Green did the most damage in the box score, but he was routinely bottled up by Darrelle Revis. If his toe injury doesn't sideline him, Green should have a better day against Josh Norman and Antoine Cason.

As for the defense, the unit looked mortal last week after a strong start to the season. The team gave up 43 total points including seven after a special teams mistake, which was more points allowed than in their first three games combined. Andy Dalton has been on a roll for the offense since the season began, completing just under 65 percent of his passes and averaging 8.6 yards per attempt. Whether he can continue that success will dictate how far the Bengals go this season.

With their starting quarterback Cam Newton still hindered by injured ribs, the Panthers have lacked the dominant play on offense that they exhibited at times in 2013. More problematic has been their defense, which hasn't adjusted in the absence of edge rusher Greg Hardy, who is expected to miss the season on the exempt/commissioner's permission list.

While Cam Newton has avoided costly turnovers, he has not produced as many scores as in past seasons. Through five games, he has thrown just five touchdowns and has yet to run one in. Meanwhile, the ground game has struggled without DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, both of who missed last week's game. Without them, Darrin Reaves has handled the most work, averaging fewer than three yards per carry.