Panthers @ Chargers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Carolina Panthers (0-2)

@ Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)

Current odds:

Carolina Panthers: (+250)

Los Angeles Chargers: (-300)

• The line for this game is Chargers by 6.5 points.

• The Chargers (1-1) face more certainty at quarterback with Tyrod Taylor, who didn’t play last weekend because of a rib injury that was compounded by a punctured lung during medical procedures. Rookie Justin Herbert nearly orchestrated an upset of the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, who prevailed in overtime. Herbert’s role is now clear while Taylor is out.

• The Panthers (0-2) are fully aware of much of the Chargers’ predicament. They’ll be without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who exited after scoring his second touchdown of the game with a fourth-quarter run last weekend in a loss at Tampa Bay. His four rushing touchdowns give him a share of the NFL lead. McCaffrey’s high ankle sprain is expected to keep him sidelined for a month and up to six weeks. Carolina placed him on injured reserve Wednesday. Without McCaffrey, the Panthers will turn to Mike Davis as the primary running back. Davis has made multiple stops in the NFL, but the 27-year-old failed to emerge as a featured back. Rhule said there is no doubt in the Panthers’ minds that Davis is a starting-caliber back in the NFL. Davis is a sixth-year NFL veteran in his second season with the Panthers, joining the team last November.

• Carolina also will be counting on better ball security from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who accounted for three turnovers in the Tampa Bay game. He has seemed to find a groove with receiver Robby Anderson, who has compiled more than 100 receiving yards in both games this season.

• It’s unclear if the Panthers will have defensive lineman Kawann Short, who missed Wednesday’s practice, back after he sat out last week’s game with a foot injury.

• Both teams have been in a pair of tight games, with Carolina within seven points of the Buccaneers with less than two minutes remaining. The Chargers rallied to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals before seeing a fourth-quarter lead disappear in the setback to the Chiefs.

• The Panthers are trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2010, when they lost their first five games en route to a two-win season.

• The Chargers and Panthers have met just six times, with Carolina holding a 5-1 record (including victories in the last three matchups). The last meeting came in 2016.