A few notes about the Saints-Panthers game, followed by my prediction for Sunday:
-- I always enjoy watching New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees play. At six feet tall, he’s several inches shorter than ideal for an NFL quarterback, yet he’s one of the best ever at getting the ball where it needs to be and playing the chess game with defensive backs to help ensure his receivers get open.
Josh Norman, the Panthers’ rookie who is starting at cornerback, will undoubtedly be a Brees target Sunday and said he is looking forward to that challenge. He has been studying Brees closely on film, trying to understand what makes him so good.
“He’s a big pump faker,” Norman said of Brees. “He likes to show his shoulders one way and then come back to the other side. And for a DB, you cannot look into his eyes.”
Norman warmed to the topic, acting as if staring into Brees’ eyes was almost like staring into the eyes of a hypnotist.
“You can’t gaze into them,” he said. “Once you do that, he gets a touchdown for sure. He always knows where he wants to go – he just does the rest to toy with the DBs. The shoulders, the pump fake, the eyes – it’s all just to throw us out of the way.”
-- I found it very interesting that Panther coach Ron Rivera talked openly about his difference in philosophy with (currently suspended) New Orleans coach Sean Payton on Wednesday.
Rivera basically said he wouldn’t try to set NFL records given the same set of circumstances that the Saints had last January, when they tried to set several in a 45-17 rout of Carolina in the season’s last game. But Rivera also said that he didn’t have a problem with the Saints’ philosophy – that defenses are designed to stop people, and if they can’t, it’s their tough luck.
(bullet) OK, onto the prediction. The Panthers and Saints have traditionally been almost dead even. Although New Orleans has won the last four games in a row, the all-time series stands at 17 wins apiece. I think Carolina will certainly play better on offense than it did last week, but the Saints won’t be as bad on defense, either, and their offense still bulges with playmakers. Close, but….
New Orleans 28, Carolina 23.
And if you're looking for a reason to be optimistic, Panther fans, note that I missed last week's pick -- incorrectly choosing Carolina to beat Tampa Bay. So quite possibly I'll be wrong again.
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9 years ago
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24 comments:
After the way the Panthers played last week, I cannot argue with your pick.
12% of teams in HISTORY that started out 0-2 have made it to the playoffs.
This weekend is a MUST win for any hope at the postseason.
Sorry Scott...that Karma doesnt work in football...The game will not be that close and Panthers will be lucky to win 5 games this year...
Due to THIS meeting being the first at B O A stadium. Due to the Panthers having a chip on their shoulder, not only from last week, but from last year. We will see a different Carolina Panthers on Sunday. I will be in attendance. Panthers will win 28 - 17
Forget the great Drew Brees whose name you are unworthy to utter and get back on your liberal dirty kneescaps Saints by 100,000 points
Saints will win of course. It's not even worth watching as you already know the out come. Time after time the Panthers fail to follow through and score then just seem to give up. 1 person does not make a team.
The Panthers are capable of beating any team in the league. But last week was not indicative of that. For the next 15 games...they simply have to decide where they'll be come playoff time. On TV...or at home watching it. It's showtime.
I have to believe we come out swinging with a little more fire than last week. Only lost by 6 after a laughable first half in Tampa. D intensity and a more efficient offense this week against the Saints and we clip them in OT 23-20
You have the right team winning but the winning score will be a run away not just a few points.
C'mon, the cats can't lose. We have the best QB in the league, JaMarcus Russell, oh err ahhh... Cam Newton.
This game should be a lot less ugly. The Panthers stated well before the game the Panthers did not know what to expect from the Bucs since their coach was coming from college. He has shown to do so many different things and the Panthers were not sure to prepare for the most.
The Panthers were not expecting to have an easy when they were expecting to have a tough game because they were not sure what to expect and they were right about that. The O-line looked confused all day and the offensive game plan was a bust from the start. The defense looked a little confused at first but they adjusted nicely during the second half, to bad the Offense didnt.
The Saints will not be in a very good mood after what RGIII did to them. Saints by 10.
We're gonna Rock the Ain't like a Hurricane! Panthers 31/Saints 21. Holla back!!
Saints 40 Panthers 17
Go Panthers beat Saints. Prediction: Pain for the Saints and a win for the Panthers.
I think Scott is right on this one. And I'd rather watch RG3 this weekend.
if tampa shuts out the giants this weekend and wins 10-0, we will view the opening loss with new perspective. the bucs main advantage was not unfamiliar sets, but a vengeous over last years drubbings. the panthers can beat the saints sunday if they bring the same passion to the field.
23the Panthers will step up in every aspect of the game and pull this one out. The Saints are hurting on defense and I'm definitely not ready to count my guys out after a week 1 loss. If the second half was the "coming out" party for our defense, last week, I'm on board. The D-Line was telling the fans to make noise. They controlled the line of scrimmage and out-manned the TB defensive line. Our Offense was just terrible and I don't think that's gonna happen this Sunday. We're gonna see alot of bandwagon people jumpin back on after we beat the Saints. Go Panthers!!
About 4:15 on Sunday we will be saying..."The offense played a lot better this week, but now the defense let us down. If we could only play a complete game...."Here's the deal, the Panthers can't play a complete game until they meet a team that is bad. Coming out with more fire or passion can't make up for the lack of talent and coaching.
As a Saints' fan, I'm worried about this game. CAR always plans NO close, regardless of which team is the favorite. I still don't know what to think of this Saints' team with all the distractions. I think the lack of preparation that was apparent last week was an indicator of how bad they miss Peyton. Even thought it is only week 2, I think this is a make or break game. Geaux Saints!
I'm a Jets fan. Here's my opinion. The Panthers have never defended their home turf well. I expect the Saints to roll in with a head of steam and embarass them once again. And with a Thursday game against the Jets the Panthers won't have time to recover and go 0-3. I honestly don't see any other scenario for you guys. It must really suck to be a Panthers fan.
Go JetsJetsJets!!!
Pathers 30.......Thugs 0
Hmmm I guess all those "anonymous" commentors are glad they were "anonymous" good show Panthers!!!
Go Panthers!!! Thanks haters!!! Now on to the Giants...
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