CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Julius Peppers played for the 2012 Chicago Bears (top-ranked in the NFL that season in total defense), the 2005 Carolina Panthers (second-ranked) and the 2002 Panthers (third-ranked).
Nine times in his previous 15 seasons the 37-year-old defensive end, who ranks fifth in the NFL in all-time sacks, has been on a unit that finished in the top 10.
So where does the 2017 Carolina defense, which hasn’t given up a touchdown in the first two games, compare to others Peppers has been a part of?
“This is the best one I’ve ever played on," Peppers said without hesitation.