Carolina Panthers Notes, Quotes

--If Tyler Brayton sits out this week with a concussion it will mark the 13th straight game in which the Carolina Panthers have field a different starting 11 on game day.

Injuries have prevented the Panthers from having any consistency on that side of the ball.

"You've got to keep rolling and just have guys come in and catch up with the System," said defensive tackle Damione Lewis. "That's the only way you can do it. You can't alter your playbook for certain offenses just because you may be short a guy here and a guy there. You need to get those guys caught up to speed and try to get them on the level with everybody else."

Carolina's defensive line, in particular, has been a mess with four defensive tackle on injured reserve. Also defensive end Charles Johnson has missed three games with pectoral sprain and Julius Peppers was limited in two games with a broken hand.

"Yeah, every time we look in our D-line room, it's like we've got a revolving chair over there," Lewis said. "It's pretty funny. But we've had some light-hearted, fun guys come through and we enjoyed it. It's one of those things, it happens. Each year it's a certain team that goes through this. This year it just happened to bite us."

Added coach John Fox: "It's part of the game. You like it not to be quite that big a part week-to-week. I think our coaching staff and our players, young guys that have been called on, James Anderson -- who's really our third-team Will linebacker -- I think has played really well over the last couple of weeks. A couple of our tackles weren't even at camp with us; I'm still getting their names down. But I think they're doing a good job and our staff has done a good job, and the guys have kept hammering event with a lot of turnover. Sometimes that doesn't bode well with a defense, but they've continued fighting and done a good job."

--The most memorable matchup between the Panthers and Patriots came in Super Bowl XXXVIII when New England won the game 32-29 on a last-second field goal. It's a game receiver Muhsin Muhammad has never forgotten.

"There has been some history there, definitely. Does it affect the way you prepare? Sure, it does. It's the team that knocked you out of the Super Bowl," Muhammad said. "I think you kind of hold that close to your heart. Every time you play them you know it's going to be a physical game and a real competitive game."

--The Patriots are coming off back-to-back losses and return home to where they're 6-0 this season.

"The Patriots will be ready to play this game," Muhammad said. "I can't recall the last time they've lost two games in a row. I know that they will be motivated to get a win and play this game. I know that Bill Belichick will have them ready. If there's anything that Belichick is known for is being a really tough coach after losses. He's going to have his team ready to play."

--With Captain Munnerlyn out with a concussion Sunday the Panthers turned to Chris Gamble to return, or at least receive punts rather than Kenny Moore. But Gamble muffed one at the Carolina 20 that resulted in a turnover.

He got bailed out when Jon Beason intercepted Freeman on the next play from scrimmage.

"He's had more experience doing it," Fox said. "I'd like to have that one (muffed punt) back; so would he. It was a short punt, and when in doubt you've got to get away from it. We didn't do that as well as we'd like. But overall, the rest of them he did pretty good on. He isn't our typical punt returner. We had an issue (injury), so Gam stepped in and did it. Other than that one play he did a good job."

Munnerlyn will return this week and return punts.

--Charles Godfrey returned to the starting lineup this past Sunday replacing Sherrod Martin at free safety.

Godfrey came up with his first interception and played one of his better games.

"It's a good problem to have," Fox said. "We had no idea that Sherrod Martin was going to do the things he did that quickly. I thought he stepped in and did an excellent job. I think he proved that he can do that in this league. It's a good issue to have. He got a little nicked last week, and Charles got back in the groove. They are both very good young players that will help us down the stretch and in the future."

BY THE NUMBERS: 26-4 -- New England's record when facing a first-time opponent at Gillette Stadium. This will be Carolina's first trip there for a regular season game.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "No. I did play in the snow once when I was 10 years old." -- Joked QB Matt Moore on if he's experienced in playing in the snow in case the white stuff hits the Northeast this weekend.