The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers meet Friday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, to play the all-important third preseason game, which serves as the most realistic tuneup for the regular-season opener. Expect the starters to earn their most extensive playing time, and there’s also a lot at stake with next week’s roster cuts intensifying the competition for jobs.

Here’s a look at what to watch:

Time to impress: Tom Brady hasn’t exactly been armed with a full assortment of pass catchers in two preseason games, so the starting offense’s struggles are understandable to a degree. He is 3 of 9 for 23 yards with one first down in five preseason possessions, and he was 0 of 3 on third down against the Saints. But the personnel won’t change much; it would be a surprise if Julian Edelman played and Brandon LaFell is still out. It might be on Brady to bust out of it with the likes of Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Reggie Wayne and a few bubble players.

Secondary helpings: Cornerback Malcolm Butler needs a partner in crime and Tarell Brown has earned the chance. Brown wasn’t targeted as the nickel back against the Saints and he could use more reps Friday with Robert McClain in the slot. Or will the Patriots continue to use Devin McCourty at corner instead of safety? Also, monitor how the Pats use Bradley Fletcher and Logan Ryan. Ryan needs to be more consistent, and his timing could also be telling.

Chasing Cam: Chandler Jones and Jabaal Sheard should be paying rent for the amount of time they’ve spent in opposing backfields in the preseason, and Dominique Easley has been impressive, too. Trey Flowers returned to practice this week, so he might be back Friday, and Rob Ninkovich should get some extended run. The Pats pressured Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees without blitzing them once, and Cam Newton presents a different challenge due to his strength and mobility. Though the Pats won’t unveil exotic blitz packages, their ability to win one-on-one battles to get to Newton will be telling.

Wayne’s world: Reggie Wayne has only practiced twice, so he’s not going to blow the roof off the place. But let’s not try to downplay the widespread intrigue in response to Monday’s signing. Wayne said he played injured last season, so let’s see what he’s got and how frequently Brady looks his way. As for the other receivers, Dobson has to make up for lost time, and it’s a big night for Josh Boyce after sitting out last week’s game.

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Jimmy time: Garoppolo has made noticeable strides in each of his two appearances. Garoppolo has completed 48 of 63 passes (76.2 percent) for a touchdown and two interceptions in preseason, and is making quicker decisions, delivering the ball when his receivers are getting out of their breaks. Garoppolo has made some questionable decisions with his downfield throws, including the interception against the Saints and two underthrown deep balls. Garoppolo has solid accuracy with his intermediate throws, but some of those mistakes can’t happen in the regular season. That might be an area to work on this week.

JETS: New York signed quarterback Josh Johnson, adding another veteran to the mix.

WASHINGTON: Robert Griffin III evaded questions about when – or even if – he sustained a concussion in Washington’s second preseason game.

FALCONS: The NFL reinstated team president Rick McKay as chairman of the league’s powerful Competition Committee after suspending him from the post for the use of artificial noise at Atlanta home games.

SEAHAWKS: Quarterback Russell Wilson said he didn’t suffer a concussion in the NFC final against Green Bay, a day after comments in an article in Rolling Stone indicated he may have suffered a head injury.

49ERS: General Manager Trent Baalke said linebacker Ahmad Brooks, charged by a grand jury with misdemeanor sexual battery, was excused from the team but remains on the roster “on a day-to-day-situation.”


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