That’s how the Panthers have been spelling defense so far this season. Linebacker Chris Draft is stepping up this season and already has 25 tackles. DE Julius Peppers has been his normal dominating self with 18 tackles and four sacks. These two will need some help against the Saints this weekend.
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The big question going into this game is if the Saints will have anything left in the tank after their emotional win over the Falcons on Monday night.
The Saints will look to run on the Panthers defense, which has allowed 152.0 yards rushing per game. RBs Deuce McAllister (218 rushing yards) and Reggie Bush (125 yards rushing, 139 yards receiving) will be testing the Panthers Front 7 early. If the Saints run well, look for Drew Brees to take some shots down the field for Marques Colston (15 rec, 204 yards), Joe Horn (10 rec, 160 yards) and Devery Henderson.
The Panthers offense looked good last week against the Bucs. The Panthers will attempt to run a balanced offense against an aggressive Saints defense that is only allowing 266.7 yards per game. DeShaun Foster will need to have a good game, his 3.4 average will not cut it this week. The Panthers need to establish a running game to slow the Saints pass rush that already has 12 sacks this season. Look for Delhomme to take some deep shots with Steve Smith (112 yards rec. last week) and Keyshawn Johnson (16 rec, 243 yards) over the middle.
This should be a great game that could go either way.
Steve Smith returned Sunday and he looked far from rusty. Smith caught 7 passes for 112 yards. Keyshawn Johnson benefitted from the single coverage coming his way and caught 7 passes for 97 yards and a TD. Jake Delhomme looked much more comfortable completing 22 of 36 passes for 272 yards and a TD. RB DeShaun Foster carried the ball 20 times for 82 yards.
The Panthers played the kind of defense that they played last season. The Panthers held the Bucs to 64 yards rushing and only 2.6 yards per carry. The Bucs completed 14 of 25 passes but for only a net gain of 145 yards passing.
Steve Smith inspired the team and willed them into the win column.
Both of these teams were butalized by the Atlanta Falcons, and this is an important game for two teams that expected much more this season.
The Panthers will attempt to run the football to slow up the Bucs pass rush. RBs DeShaun Foster and D’Angelo Williams should find running room against a defense that has give up 409 yards rushing in their first two games. WR Keyshawn Johnson (9 rec, 146 yards) is having a good start to the season and would love nothing more than to stick it to Coach Gruden.
The Bucs need to get back to running the football. Cadillac Williams should be able to get it going after a rough start against the Panthers’ D that has given up 392 yards rushing this season. The Bucs need to get a quick lead to lessen the pressure on QB Chris Simms who has thrown 6 INT and 0 TDs this season. If the Bucs establish the run, look for Simms to run some play-action and try to get the ball deep to Joey Galloway.
I think the QB that makes the least mistakes wins this football game, so I have to side with the Panthers.
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