CHARLOTTE – The Panthers are looking to take their first win and make it into a streak this weekend.
Carolina (1-6, 0-2 NFC South) hosts the Indianapolis Colts (3-5, 2-2 AFC South) at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday for a 4:05 p.m. game. The matchup will be televised on CBS.
The Panthers are 5-2 all-time against the Colts, including a 2-1 record at home. The Panthers lost their last matchup against Indianapolis, 38-6, on the road in 2019. More on the series history can be found here.
Here's what to know about the Colts:
Three-game losing streak, recent loss to Saints
After starting the year 3-2 behind rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Colts have gone winless in their last three contests (against Jacksonville, Cleveland, and New Orleans) and won't get Richardson back this year after he underwent a season-ending shoulder procedure.
Indianapolis dropped a 38-27 game at home to the Saints last week, as Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew threw the ball over 40 times (23-of-41 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and an interception), and their defense wasn't able to stop Derek Carr and the Saints.
Dealing with injuries across the team (but especially on defense), the Colts allowed Carr to throw for 310 yards and a pair of touchdown passes against a depleted secondary.
"As a competitor and as, I feel like I am, a leader on this team, I take full responsibility for the plays that occurred," Indianapolis cornerback Tony Brown said in an article posted to the team's website. "Great game by the Saints, they had great play calls, Derek Carr, great throws. We gotta get better, I gotta get better as a player."
Taylor back with top-10 rushing offense
Running back Jonathan Taylor's impact has grown since he returned to the field in October, putting up a season-high 95 yards on 12 attempts against New Orleans. He'd taken 18 carries 75 yards against the Browns the week before after slowly working back into the offense amid contract talks and a lingering ankle injury.
Taylor and Zack Moss have played roles as Indianapolis has recorded the NFL's ninth-most productive rushing attack (1,032 yards in eight games), paired with 12 touchdowns on the ground, fourth-most in the league.
Moss has run for 589 yards on 125 attempts, averaging 4.7 yards per carry with five touchdowns.
In the passing game, Minshew has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns against five interceptions, as the Colts' passing offense comes into Sunday ranked 13th in the league. He's often connecting with wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (529 yards on 50 receptions) and Josh Downs (473 yards on 40 receptions).
A look at the defense
The Colts' defense has been depleted by injuries and has given up the most points in the NFL, ranked at the bottom of the league in scoring defense.
They're struggling against the pass and the run, ranked 25th in passing defense and 23rd in rushing defense.
As for players for the Panthers to hone in on, linebacker Zaire Franklin leads the team by a mile with 102 total tackles. The next leading tackler, linebacker Julian Blackmon, trails by nearly half with 56 on the year.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner leads with 4.0 sacks and two forced fumbles this season, including a strip-sack against Carr in last week's loss to the Saints.
Carolina is 5-1 against the Colts all-time, including a dramatic home overtime win in the rain in 2015.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) catches a pass for a touchdown as Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) and strong safety Mike Adams (29) defend during an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Brad Nortman (8) holds as Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. The Panthers won in overtime 29-26. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (12) scrambles away from Carolina Panthers' Kawann Short (99) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Charles Tillman (31) defends a pass to Indianapolis Colts' Donte Moncrief (10) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) scores a touchdown as Indianapolis Colts free safety Dwight Lowery (33) defends during an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2015, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) defends a pass to Indianapolis Colts' Ahmad Bradshaw (44) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Kuechly is expected to be back on the field for the start of training camp following offseason shoulder surgery. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly, left, intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts' Coby Fleener, back, as Carolina Panthers' Charles Tillman, right, watches in overtime of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., early Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. The Panthers won 29-26 in overtime. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Teammates surround Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) after his game-winning field goal in overtime of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Charlotte, N.C., early Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (12) makes a pass against the Carolina Panthers' defense in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. The Panthers won in overtime 29-26. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) tackles Indianapolis Colts' Frank Gore (23) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 27, 2011. The Panthers defeated the Colts 27-19. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles away from the Indianapolis Colts' defense in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. The Panthers won in overtime 29-26. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2015, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) leaps over Indianapolis Colts players during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Newton's spectacular season has earned him The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) races upfield on a 25-yard scoring run during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 27, 2011. The Panthers defeated the Colts 27-19. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a leaping grap during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 27, 2011. The Panthers defeated the Colts 27-19. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) fumbles the ball while being hit by Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) during an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, center, right, celebrates with running back DeAngelo Williams after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Curtis Painter (7) is hit by Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Painter fumbled on the play but the Colts recovered. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey leaps over Indianapolis Colts free safety Antoine Bethea during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts free safety Antoine Bethea, left, and cornerback Kevin Thomas, center, try to tackle Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) scores a touchdown in front of Indianapolis Colts strong safety David Caldwell, left, and free safety Antoine Bethea during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde (16) throws a pass under pressure from Indianapolis Colts' Dwight Freeney (93) in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass during the Colts' 31-7 win over the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' David Carr (8) throws a pass to Jeff King (87), left, during the fourth quarter of their 31-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) pulls away from Indianapolis Colts' Tim Jennings (23) in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) runs past Indianapolis Colts players Antoine Bethea (41) and Bob Sanders (21) in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne, left, pulls in a pass as Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall, right, defends in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay points to fans as he leaves the field after kicking a 43-yard field goal in overtime to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)
