Panthers vs. Cowboys: Key Matchups As we roll into Week 1 Michael Palardy Jersey , the Panthers face a young Dallas Cowboys squad with a solid run game. The Panthers defense will have their work cut out for them stopping the run and the offense looks to succeed in its first action under freshman offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Here are the key matchups to watch.Luke Kuechly vs. Ezekiel ElliottOne of the top running backs in the NFL faces arguably the best defender in the league. Elliott is a threat whether he is taking handoffs in the backfield or catching passes. Kuechly is a top tier run and pass defender. This is one of the premier matchups of Week 1 no matter how you slice it, and could impact the game more than any other one-on-one matchup. Kuechly can patrol sideline to sideline against the best of them, however Elliott lead the league in rushing his rookie year for a reason. Elliott figures to be heavily involved in all aspects of their offense as the consensus best weapon for the Cowboys.Mario Addison vs. Tyron SmithIn regards to the line, the rushing game will be a big factor. However, rushing Dak Prescott will be key as well. Kawann Short and Dontari Poe will make their debut as a unit, but ol’ reliable Mario Addison needs to show up as well. He has worked his way into a 3 down role with the Panthers, and will see Pro Bowler tackle Tyron Smith most of the night. Addison’s one of the better speed rushers in the NFL, but Smith is no stranger to top tier players. If Addison can get consistent pressure then Carolina’s secondary can make plays.Panthers tackles vs. Demarcus LawrenceThe Cowboys best pass rusher will face off against Taylor Moton and whatever the team has planned at right tackle. This could be problematic for a team that is attempting to be a more high powered passing offense. No, scratch that Authentic Cam Newton Jersey , it WILL be a problem. So far, Moton has held his own in the preseason. But playing 4 quarters against starting defensive lineman is a different animal. I also imagine the Cowboys will have a plan to attack the right side of the line, seeing as it will either be a plan C or a guy who is still recovering from injury. Pray for Cam Newton, please.Devin Funchess vs. Byron JonesThe Cowboys sport an underrated group of athletes at linebacker. Between Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith, they should have a plan for Greg Olsen. I don’t expect them to completely shut him down, but it should provide some 1 on 1 opportunities for the Panthers de facto number 1 wide receiver. Funchess is coming off a breakout year, showing he can be the number one target and succeed. However, I want to see it more consistently when he isn’t the best option among a series of bad ones. Funchess should be in for a workload of moving the chains. In a contract year, this is the perfect game to start building a case for his payday.What players are you watching Youth Luke Kuechly Jersey , Panthers fans?NFL fantasy football Week 4 waiver wire work The good news is that it’s the Buccaneers and Bears on a bye so there are only a handful of Must Start players to be replaced in lineups. The bad news is that if you don’t have an adequate replacement on your bench the pickings are slim. I’m not seeing a lot of starter quality players out there but there are some decent players to take a flyer on who might put up a decent score just when you need them too.Let’s start with Fantasy Pros Top 10 Waiver wire pick ups at the moment. The percent column tells what percentage of fantasy leagues have the player available.As bye week fill ins here are my picks as the four skill positions: QB Blake BortlesThis guy can put up 30 points any given week. He faces a Chiefs defense giving up the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. I think Bortles will throw a ton of passes in this one.WR Dede WestbrookSee my comments about Bortles above. Now consider Westbrook is really coming on strong and getting lots of targets. He is worth a spot on your bench to see if the trend upward continues.RB Nyheim Hines As long as Andrew Luck is at quarterback, whoever is getting thetouches at running back has the potential to put up a big game. With Marlon Mack dinged up that appears to be Hines.TE Vance MacDonaldI get it, the Steelers offense looked like crap the other night. Don’t expect it to be a trend. Big Ben likes to throw to the tight end so MacDonald is a good start most weeks and that certainly applies this week against the Falcons.One guy on the list I have never heard of so I figured you probably haven’t either. Here’s a persuasive argument for wide receiver Keke Coutee. By the way...oh the fun fantasy team names I could have if Keke Coutee were a Panther. I’m not quite ready to jump on his bandwagon yet (it might have couties anyway). I recommend a wait and see approach.Of these defensive streamers I like the Patriots, Panthers the Cardinals. The Panthers match-up well with the Giants offense, same with the Cardinals at 49ers, who are living life after Jimmy Garrapollo. The Colts are hurting at the skill positions so the Patriots could create some turnovers and keep the scoring limited.DST streamersTitans (53 percent) at BUF Broncos (59 percent) at NYJ Patriots (53 percent) vs IND Panthers (42 percent) vs NYG Cardinals (40 percent) at SF From the file of pure speculation:For you Gamecocks fans it might be time to take a flyer on rookie tight end Hayden Hurst.If he pans out you can say you knew early on he was a star in the making. Keep Pounding!