Listening to the majority of you Who Dats calling WWL on a daily basis and most of the media, you would think the Saints were playing the Patriots this Sunday in the Dome. I strongly advise that you take a page from the Black and Gold and not look past anyone.
This week the Carolina Panthers come to town. They have never lost in the Superdome with QB Jake Delhomme under center. In fact, Delhomme has never lost when starting a game in the Dome. He won there twice as the signal caller for the Ragin Cajuns, beating Tulane. He also got a win as the Saints starter in the Superdome, when he led the Black and Gold to a victory over the Cowboys in 1999. Got your attention now? Good, let's calm down just a bit and focus on one game at a time just like the players do.
The Panthers (3-4) started the season dropping their first 3 games, but after the bye week have managed to win their last 3 out of 4. The Cats' running game, powered by the dynamic duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, averages149 yard a game. Helped by turnovers and also by getting an early lead, they decimated the Cardinals this past week raking up 270 yards on the ground. We all saw what Falcons running back Michael Turner did Monday night, so this is a huge area of concern.
On the other hand, local boy Jake Delhomme has struggled all year. He has been plagued by turnovers; throwing 13 INT's and has fumbled twice. Those mistakes have cost the Panthers offense dearly; they are averaging just 18 points a game. Delhomme does excel in the play action passing game, though, and has a lethal deep ball threat in WR Steve Smith.
Over to the Panthers defense, which is lead by DE Julius Peppers. They are allowing 23 points per game, but are giving up just 288 yards, which ranks 7th in the league. On top of that, the Panthers have the top ranked pass defense, which is giving up just 160 yards a game.
This team is far from being a pushover and would like nothing more than to hand a division rival their 1st loss and reenergize their season.
The only way I could see the Saints dropping this game is if they continue to lose the turnover battle. They've been lucky it hasn't cost them victories against Miami or Atlanta, but you cannot continue to win ballgames by being in the minus column.
I know the team is way too focused to overlook Carolina, and think that in the end the Saints will improve to 8-0 on the season. Jake's confidence just isn't there anymore, and I think Safety Daren Sharper and the rest of the sharks on defense will smell blood in the water and devour Delhomme.
PREDICTION: Saints 31 Panthers 20
Sunday, catch the Saints versus the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome. We'll bring you 9 hours of wall-to-wall coverage. At noon - "First Take" with former Saints offensive lineman, Steve Korte & Mark Chifici. 1pm - "Countdown to Kick-off" with Bobby Hebert & Deke Bellavia. 3:05 - is GAME TIME with the best play-by-play team in football--Jim Henderson, Hokie Gajan & Kristian Garic. 6:30pm, join Bobby & Deke for "The Point After" at Deanie's Seafood in the French Quarter, corner of Iberville & Dauphine. At 10pm - LSU Sunday Night Light with Jordy Hultberg.
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