Steve Smith scores; Reggie Bush out for game

Two very newsworthy things just happened at the Panthers game:

1) Steve Smith somehow got between two New Orleans defenders to snag a 39-yard TD pass and push Carolina to a 20-7 lead early in the third quarter.

2) Reggie Bush has suffered a knee injury of undetermined seriousness, but he WILL NOT RETURN to this game.

If you're Carolina, you have a 13-point lead and one of the Saints' best two players (QB Drew Brees is the other) has just been declared out for the game, you have to feel pretty good about your chances.