It’s hard to say that the second game of the season is a must win, but for the New Orléans Saints and Carolina Panthers, Sunday’s NFC South showdown has a lot riding on it. The Saints opened their season with a disappointing 40-32 loss at home to the Washington Redskins. The team looked way out of sorts. They committed 12 penalties for 107 yards and were a measly 2 for 11 on third downs.
On top of that they allowed rookie QB Robert Griffin III to look like an All-Pro in shredding them for 320 yards passing and 2 touchdowns.
Offensively, Drew Brees threw for 399 yards and 3 touchdowns but he also made some critical errors in throwing 2 interceptions. His 46.2% pass completion was his worst since 2006. Not what the doctor ordered for a team without a true head coach.
Things did not fare much better in Week 1 for Carolina either. They lost 16-10 on the road to another NFC South foe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs manhandled Carolina throughout, holding them to 10 yards rushing for the game. DeAngelo Williams was held to -1 yards rushing. Yes, negative one yard. Cam Newton had 4 rushing yards on 5 carries and was sacked 3 times. He threw for 303 yards but also had 2 interceptions. The defense still had some big holes that were exploited by a calm Josh Freeman.
Carolina seems to have more pressure coming into this game. To start 0-2 overall AND 0-2 in the division would be the worst case scenario for a team that made a lot of strides last year. They are at home, and that should be a little bit of relief. But, seeing how the Bucs exploited some weak defense but were not able to punch it in the endzone, you must imagine Drew Brees and Co. are licking their chops for Sunday. The Saints have won four straight in this series, including 2 of the last 3 by three or more touchdowns.
Cam Newton will need his offensive line to raise their level if he is to pull an RGIII and control the game. I don’t see that happening. As for the Saints, they should capitalize on the opportunities that Tampa Bay could not. Pro Bowlers TE Jimmy Graham and WR Marques Colston combined for 28 receptions, 440 yards and 3 touchdowns against Carolina last year. Do not be shocked to see more of the same.
Carolina will hang tough for a while, but Drew Brees will simply put on a show and will his team to a crucial NFC South win.
Prediction: Saints 31 Panthers 20
-Joseph Capeland
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