The Panthers suffered a huge blow in the game against the Falcons, losing OT Travelle Wharton to a torn ACL and MCL.  He is out for the season, and the Panthers really don’t have anyone to replace him.  Delhomme could be running for his life starting this week.

The Falcons strutted into Carolina’s stadium and pushed them all over the field.  The Panthers knew the Falcons would try to run the ball alot, and the Panthers couldn’t do anything about.   The Panthers offense looked absolutely lost without Steve Smith (Smith didn’t play due to injury).  Jake Delhomme completed 21 of 39 passes (53.8%) for 186 yards and a pick-off.  RB DeShaun Foster carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards (3.8 ypc).  WR Drew Carter caught 5 passes for 62 yards (12.4 avg) and ran the ball once for 11 yards.  Keyshawn Johnson caught 4 passes for 40 yards.

The Falcons offense dominated the Panthers defense.  The Falcons ran the ball 47 times for 252 yards (5.4 ypc)!  The Falcons didn’t need to pass and only completed 45.5% of their passes for a net of 133 yards thru the air, but 2 of the completions were TD passes.

Without Smith you had to figure the Panther offense might have a rough time, but there’s no excuse for the way the defense played today.

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The Falcons have alot to prove against the Panthers.  The Panthers swept the Falcons last year, pounding them 68-17!  The Falcons might be able to run the ball against the Panthers if, and only if, the offensive line can handle the front four of the Panthers.  Dunn, Norwood and Vick all have good speed, but so does the Panther defense.  It’s also hard to pass against the Panther defense, because the Panthers front line gets a good rush on the QB without blitzing, and they frequently drop linebackers into coverage which could make it a long day for Vick’s favorite receiver TE Alge Crumpler.  New WR Ashley Lelie could be a wildcard as he might be able to get deep out of the slot position against the Panthers nickel back.

It seems as if the Falcons have really improved their defense, but the Panthers offense will be a huge test.  The Panthers love to run the ball to set up the pass.  Running backs DeShaun Foster and D’Angelo Williams both have home-run speed and will test the perimeter defense of the Falcons.  WR Steve Smith is a little gimpy and the Panthers really need him, or the Falcons will just put 8 in the box and dare Jake Delhomme to pass to Keyshawn Johnson, Drew Carter and Keary Colbert.  If Smith plays, even if injured, he must be accounted for at all times because he can go the distance at any time……from anyplace on the field.

This should be a great game, but I have to go with the Panthers here.  I think the Falcons are improved, especially on defense, but the Panthers are still a better team.

John Fox has a career record of 36-28 (56.3% wins) and a 5-2 post season record.  Fox has won 1 division title.

Jake Delhomme has been an excellent QB for the Panthers in his career.  Delhomme has a 29-20 record as a starter (59.2% wins) and a 5-2 post-season record as a starter.  Delhomme sports a career QB rating of 84.5.

Chris Weinke has a career record as a starter of 1-15 (6.3% wins) and a career QB rating of 60.4.

John Kasay kicked a 29 yard field goal as time expired to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.  Jake Delhomme complete 2 of 2 passes for 6 yards.  Stefan LeFors completed 6 of 8 passes for 86 yards.  Brett Basanez completed 15 of 26 passes (57.7%) for 148 yards.

Eric Shelton carried the ball 10 times for 44 yards.

The Panthers held the Steelers to 78 yards rushing on 32 carries (2.4 ypc).  The Steelers completed 15 of 26 passes (57.7%) for 174 net yards thru the air.