Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Both the Dolphins and Falcons are better teams than the Panthers. Can they win? Sure, this is the NFL. Will they win? Not without bunches of Saints' turnovers and unusual mistakes.

Even with 4 turnovers the past 2 weeks the Saints still managed to win. And by at least 8 points. That's amazing. So I guess the Panthers need to pray for 8 turnovers by the Saints to keep this game close.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Actually, that is not correct.
Both the Steelers and Giants had to move the ball in the air to win their respective games.
Plus the Steelers would've lost had not been for that improbable Harrison TD and some "subjective" calls by the referees.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Is this right ??? The Saints last beat the Kiity Cats in 2001. With Brooks as the QB....

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I dunno about the last time we beat them but I'll say this, as far as their record of beating us at home goes, you can flip it over and say we are due for a win against them in the dome. They may have had some recent sucess, and will be fired up for this game but in the end I don't think its gonna be enough. This is a game we should win and will win if we don't make stupid mistakes.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I agree with Foreverfan here. I am disappointed that the Saints have let Carolina and Jake rule the Dome. I am calling this a close game with the Saints winning. These last two games could have gone either way. We need to be perfect at home to win the division this year and hope Atlanta drops another along the way.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Well both our starting DT's are out now- so that doesn't help, but if we stop their run, and get up early by 10-14 points, I think it will be a blowout.

That said, we are coming off a short week, and are banged up...

Injuries might be the only thing to prevent a blow out

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

If there was ever a game we lose so far, this is it.

1. Short week after physical division game.
2. Our #1 and #2 DT are out
3. Facing a team that will definitely notice #2.
4. Facing a team built to take advantage of #2.
5. Our most disciplined run-stopping OLB is also out.
6. We have an over-hyped, albeit adequate, backup LT facing Julius Peppers.
7. We're facing a team that has nothing but confidence versus us.

I can see numerous runs bouncing outside as our defense cheats a bit inside to compensate for our DT's.

I can see Steve Smith and play action burning us as we cheat up to stop the run.

I can see Peppers going off on Bushrod. This is where we'll miss Heath Evans' chipping and pass blocking help.

Don't get me wrong though. I think we "should" win this game and probably will, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they kicked our ass either.

We'll need to play error free, and get out to an early lead. Of couse, thats the same thing I said against Miami and we ended up kicking their ass after being down three scores, so whadda I know?

Saints 27
Panthers 17

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Danno, you're looking like a genius. I would also like to express a healthy, "I told you so" to those predicting easy
blowout. Carolina just has too much history of kicking our ass.

How bout that Tracy Porter? Steve Smith didnt show up till it was too late. This was a great character win. I am so happy to beat the Panthers, even if their coach showed zero confidence in Delhomme.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

First, I'll be happy to admit that I was wrong. I will simply say this though: I am not scared of the Panthers. Let me explain- we should have blown them out yesterday. Injuries have played a big part in how we are getting run on. It started against the Falcons, and continued this week. No one is going to convince me that losing three of your starting 7 up front does not result in that type of outing against the run. The thing is we still won. If Drew does not fumble, and we play better run d on the first drive - that game might have been 30-10.

Now the simple fact is this- no matter what you could have done better- I get that we didn't, and the game was close. If a bad call, missed FG, or an improbable TD happen, and you lose- well at the end of the year the only thing that counts is wins and losses. So for me to say well if this would have Happened it would have been a larger victory, is really of no value. I am happy being wrong, because I care only if we win by 1 point each week.

That said, we are heads and shoulders above the Panthers- and if anything- yesterday reaffirms that for me. Any week you can lose though, so...

8-0 BABY- WHODAT!