While the Saints have had a perfect record this season, things have not gone exactly how the Panthers were hoping.
0 and 3 was hardly the way the defending NFC South Champion Carolina Panthers imagined the 2009 season would start. The running game, which was a strength in last season's playoff run for the Cats, struggled to gain yards during their 3 game losing streak. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has turned the ball over at an alarming rate, throwing a league leading 13 interceptions in the opening 6 games.
However, don't look now, but the Panthers are back in the NFC South race after winning three of their last 4 games.
"We just hadn't been consistent, running or throwing early on," Delhomme said. "I think the last few weeks we've picked it up running the football, but the passing game has just kind of lagged behind. It doesn't feel like we've won three out of the last four, we were able to beat Washington and go to Tampa and beat them, but it's like...we weren't playing good football."
Delhomme knows the importance of rediscovering their running game. "That's kind of how we're built, that's how this offense is built, and that's what coach John Fox wants." Delhomme suffered a bruised sternum in last week's upset win over the Arizona Cardinals, and missed the final quarter of the game. He now insists he's fine. "I feel good, physically. I feel fine. I took a good shot the other day. Other then that I'm fine. Everything is good to go."
It's hard not to like Jake, for the obvious reasons. He's home grown, humble and a great rags to riches story. On the other hand, he has just hammered the Saints since leaving New Orleans and signing with Carolina. He has since gone 8 and 2 against his former team. Of those games, he has won every one played here in Louisiana. Carolina is 5 and 0 in road games against the Saints with Jake Delhomme as their quarterback. The Panthers have also won 6 of the past 7 meetings with the Saints. More impressively, the Cat's signal caller has never lost a game he started in the Superdome. He logged two wins with the Ragin Cajuns in college against Tulane, and lead the Saints to a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Mike Ditka's last season in 1999.
Last year in the season finale, Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams gashed the Saints for 178 yards on the ground in the 33 to 31 win over the Black and Gold. Last week Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 245 yards on the ground against Arizona, who at the time had the league's best defense against the run. Carolina is averaging 217.6 yards rushing in its last three games after failing to reach 100 in three of its first four.
If the Saints can stop the run, Delhomme will suffer his first loss in the Dome. He's not the player he was three years ago.
Panthers head Coach John Fox considered benching Delhomme in favor of back up Matt Moore before last week's 34 to 21 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but decided to stick with him. "In my opinion he's our best quarterback, and there is no question we had some struggles in the passing game, but it wasn't all Jake."
The Cat's are certainly feeling better about themselves after getting their running game back on track the last couple of weeks, but Fox attributes the overall health of the team as another reason the Panthers are a hot right now. "We finally got healthy. We had a lot of injuries all through camp and all through the pre-season. We didn't come into this season with a whole lot of depth," Fox explained.
Fox, has enjoyed tremendous success against the Saints and Sean Payton, but he was quick to point out the difference in this year's Saints. "The biggest change is probably been their defense, as far as their scheme and what they've done, and acquired Greer and Sharper. They changed their scheme quite a bit. I think probably their biggest change has been on defense."
The Saints are 7 and 0 and will look to go 8 - 0 for the first time in franchise history this Sunday against the Panthers.
For the second consecutive week the Saints will face an opponent desperate for a win as they attempt to keep pace in the division. They're sure to get the Panthers' best effort. Carolina is looking to get to .500 for the first time this season, and with a win over the Saints they could make a huge statement in the division.
"We won't overlook these guys. I can promise you that," Saints Safety Darren Sharper told me.
The Saints will hand Delhomme his first loss ever in the Superdome this Sunday, but it will be close. My prediction, Saints win 23-20. The difference? The Saints can run the football this year averaging. The Black and Gold are averaging 153 yards per contest on the ground. While the Panthers might lead the league in passing yards allowed on the defense, their suspect against the run. They allow 127.6 yards a game on the ground. That's 24th in the league in that category.
The Panthers will look to control the ball and establish the run, keeping Drew Brees and company off the field. If they can't stop the Saints ground attack, it could be the Panthers' offense that finds itself sitting on the sidelines wishing for an opportunity.
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