BY Cory Spiers
coryspiers@gmail.com
Carolina's Week 3 home game against the Saints is obviously a NFC South game, which means you can effectively throw the records out of the window for both teams.
The Panthers enter the game with a 2-0 record but questions abound regarding their offense, which managed just nine points (tying the record for fewest points scored in a win in franchise history) against a stingy Buffalo defense in Week 2.
The last time the Panthers won scoring nine points was in 1997. There's a reason it's been a long time-- it simply doesn't happen often.
Things don't get any easier offensively for Carolina, either. The team lost Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen to a broken foot in the first half last week while already playing without veteran starting center Ryan Kalil.
Kalil, who woke up with neck soreness prior to the game against Buffalo and missed the game, is out again this Sunday.
Backup Tyler Larsen was serviceable in Kalil's place last week (as he was last season when Kalil had season-ending shoulder surgery) but Kalil's ability to dissect and call out blitzes was sorely missed.
Starting quarterback Cam Newton also stayed down on the field after taking one of his six sacks against Buffalo. The word was he tweaked his ankle, thus adding another wrinkle to the quarterback's injury report that already limited him in practice with lingering effects of his March shoulder surgery.
Indeed, Carolina's back is against the wall offensively and the Saints come to town with an 0-2 record in tow.
The bottom line is this-- this is the week Carolina's offense simply has to start scoring touchdowns.
At some point, the excuse that Newton is still settling in after throwing just two passes in the preseason grows mighty stale. Newton has now had eight quarters of regular season football to settle in-- if not now, when will he?
Carolina's offensive line also needs a wake-up. After a stellar showing in the first game against the 49ers, they were woeful against Buffalo. That can't be a trend. Not with all the money the team has tied up in tackle Matt Kalil and guard Trai Turner.
The Panthers receivers have to step up with Olsen sidelined. Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess and Ed Dickson should all see increased roles and I think they'll handle it well.
Luckily for Carolina, and what I think will ultimately allow the Panthers to win, the Saints are 31st in points allowed (32.5) and last in yards allowed (512.5) per game through the first two games.
Defense has long been the question in New Orleans and it is the case again this season.
Through their first two games, the Saints have also surrendered 388.5 passing yards per game-- another stat that ranks them last in the league.
All signs point toward it being a game that Carolina can use to get its offense back on the proverbial track.
I'd imagine Carolina's streak of not allowing a touchdown ends Sunday. It's always tough to keep Drew Brees out of the end zone, regardless of who surrounds him.
But I think Carolina's defense will continue to be pretty stout and will do enough to keep the score down (by Saints standards).
The Panthers offense should look better this week. The operative word is "should". One thing is for sure, they can't afford to take three delay of game penalties and multiple holding penalties and expect to put up points.
Remember, Carolina's Week 3 home duel against New Orleans in 2015 was a real slug-fest, and Brees didn't play in that game, Luke McCown did. The Panthers won 27-22 but were aided by a late highlight reel interception from corner back Josh Norman.
The Saints and Panthers split their two meetings last season, but both were decided by three points.
New Orleans won 41-38 at home in Week 6 and the Panthers got revenge in Week 11 with a 23-20 win.
I'd imagine we're in for another close one, but I think Carolina's defense compared to that of the Saints is the real difference maker.
Also, consider Carolina has been very good at home of late, even with last year's down year. Including the postseason, the Panthers are 15-4 at home since the beginning of the 2015 campaign.
I think the Panthers improve to 3-0 after starting 1-2 last season.
A tough test looms in Week 4 when the Panthers travel to New England, but the Panthers will make that match-up look even more exciting with three wins in tow.
Panthers 21, Saints 17
coryspiers@gmail.com
Carolina's Week 3 home game against the Saints is obviously a NFC South game, which means you can effectively throw the records out of the window for both teams.
The Panthers enter the game with a 2-0 record but questions abound regarding their offense, which managed just nine points (tying the record for fewest points scored in a win in franchise history) against a stingy Buffalo defense in Week 2.
The last time the Panthers won scoring nine points was in 1997. There's a reason it's been a long time-- it simply doesn't happen often.
Things don't get any easier offensively for Carolina, either. The team lost Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen to a broken foot in the first half last week while already playing without veteran starting center Ryan Kalil.
Kalil, who woke up with neck soreness prior to the game against Buffalo and missed the game, is out again this Sunday.
Backup Tyler Larsen was serviceable in Kalil's place last week (as he was last season when Kalil had season-ending shoulder surgery) but Kalil's ability to dissect and call out blitzes was sorely missed.
Starting quarterback Cam Newton also stayed down on the field after taking one of his six sacks against Buffalo. The word was he tweaked his ankle, thus adding another wrinkle to the quarterback's injury report that already limited him in practice with lingering effects of his March shoulder surgery.
Indeed, Carolina's back is against the wall offensively and the Saints come to town with an 0-2 record in tow.
The bottom line is this-- this is the week Carolina's offense simply has to start scoring touchdowns.
At some point, the excuse that Newton is still settling in after throwing just two passes in the preseason grows mighty stale. Newton has now had eight quarters of regular season football to settle in-- if not now, when will he?
Carolina's offensive line also needs a wake-up. After a stellar showing in the first game against the 49ers, they were woeful against Buffalo. That can't be a trend. Not with all the money the team has tied up in tackle Matt Kalil and guard Trai Turner.
The Panthers receivers have to step up with Olsen sidelined. Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess and Ed Dickson should all see increased roles and I think they'll handle it well.
Luckily for Carolina, and what I think will ultimately allow the Panthers to win, the Saints are 31st in points allowed (32.5) and last in yards allowed (512.5) per game through the first two games.
Defense has long been the question in New Orleans and it is the case again this season.
Through their first two games, the Saints have also surrendered 388.5 passing yards per game-- another stat that ranks them last in the league.
All signs point toward it being a game that Carolina can use to get its offense back on the proverbial track.
I'd imagine Carolina's streak of not allowing a touchdown ends Sunday. It's always tough to keep Drew Brees out of the end zone, regardless of who surrounds him.
But I think Carolina's defense will continue to be pretty stout and will do enough to keep the score down (by Saints standards).
The Panthers offense should look better this week. The operative word is "should". One thing is for sure, they can't afford to take three delay of game penalties and multiple holding penalties and expect to put up points.
Remember, Carolina's Week 3 home duel against New Orleans in 2015 was a real slug-fest, and Brees didn't play in that game, Luke McCown did. The Panthers won 27-22 but were aided by a late highlight reel interception from corner back Josh Norman.
The Saints and Panthers split their two meetings last season, but both were decided by three points.
New Orleans won 41-38 at home in Week 6 and the Panthers got revenge in Week 11 with a 23-20 win.
I'd imagine we're in for another close one, but I think Carolina's defense compared to that of the Saints is the real difference maker.
Also, consider Carolina has been very good at home of late, even with last year's down year. Including the postseason, the Panthers are 15-4 at home since the beginning of the 2015 campaign.
I think the Panthers improve to 3-0 after starting 1-2 last season.
A tough test looms in Week 4 when the Panthers travel to New England, but the Panthers will make that match-up look even more exciting with three wins in tow.
Panthers 21, Saints 17
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