Can Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense handle the tough Carolina Panthers defense?

That is one of many questions that will be answered in just a few hours when the rejuvenated 6-3 Panthers will take the field against the 7-2 New England Patriots in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET.

It was just weeks ago when the Carolina Panthers were struggling with a 1-3 record, but they've climbed back with an impressive five game winning streak. Even more, the Panthers have won six of their last seven - the only setback was a 22-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 6.

Second-year Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and his defense are looking to do to Brady what they just recently did to Colin Kaepernick. The Panthers sacked Kaepernick six times and Kuechly paved the way for his team with 11 tackles, but they also know that facing Brady is a completely different challenge.

"Tom Brady is a very cerebral guy, he's been around a while, he knows where he's going with the ball, he's smart, he understands defenses," Kuechly said. "So we've just got to do a good job of playing our job, doing our responsibilities and make sure we're in the right spot."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has studied the Panthers and said that it seems like he will be somewhat familiar with Carolina's play calling.

"I think that a lot of the plays that Carolina runs we've seen from Buffalo and the Jets," Belichick said. "The fact that we have seen some of those plays, we've worked on the basic blocking schemes and how to fit on them, where everybody needs to be."