"We knew early on there was going to be some question on that so we prepared for both Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson, and that's the way our mindset will be going into the game," coach John Fox said. "We're prepared for either one of them or both of them."

Fox admitted there are differences between the two quarterbacks.

"Everybody is different. Like I said before, we are going to be prepared for either one or both. We've got plenty of tape. Most of the looks we have are from the preseason and then the two regular season games have been exclusively with Tarvaris Jackson, so we're prepared either way," he said.

Cornerback Ken Lucas downplayed the significance of the change.

"I don't think it's much of a difference because they're going to do what they do anyway and that's try to run the ball," Lucas said. "They have one of the premier running backs in the game (Adrian Peterson) right now if not one of the best to ever play the game. They're going to try to run the ball regardless of who's the quarterback.

"Tarvaris was a little bit more versatile as far getting out of the pocket and running. Gus Frerotte is more of a pocket quarterback, so the only thing that really changes as far as the passing game is it might be a little different as far as how they try to get the ball down the field. Other than that, they're still going to try to run the ball."

--Although it was Jonathan Stewart who carried the load against the Chicago Bears in the second half of Sunday's game, Fox will stick with DeAngelo Williams at running back this Sunday against the Vikings.

So far Stewart has outperformed Williams, running for 130 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns. Williams has 117 yards on 29 carries.

"In my mind both backs are of starter ability and right now DeAngelo (Williams) as I see moving forward is the starter," Fox said. "Jonathan Stewart, again, we are just easing him back into it. He hasn't had a lot of plays, and I think he'll continue to improve and we'll go as we are right now.

One thing to note is Williams is better in pass protection right now, which is not unusual considering Stewart is a rookie. After one play on Sunday where Jake Delhomme got sacked, the Panthers immediately pulled Stewart and put in Williams on the next play.

When asked about their blocking ability, Fox said, "They are different backs but they are both very effective."

--The outcome of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears could have been much different had Bears quarterback Kyle Orton not overthrown receiver Marty Booker on a deep route on third-and-7 with just under eight minutes to play.

Booker had Lucas beat by about three yards and had he been able to catch up with the pass it would have been an easy 87-yard touchdown and put the Bears up 24-13 and essentially clinched the win.

Instead the Bears had to punt and the Panthers scored the game-winning touchdown on the next possession.

"God is good," Lucas said. "He spared me on that one."

BY THE NUMBERS: 2 - Number of times the Panthers have started the season 3-0 under coach John Fox (2002 and 2003). If the Panthers win on Sunday the number increases to three.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "For us to go out there and win two games without Steve Smith, who is the best player on this team, that speaks wonders for this ball club. With him back we're going to be that much better." -- Panthers SS Chris Harris