Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints preview

The Carolina Panthers travel to New Orleans in yet another important game in the NFC. The Panthers are playing for a bye and a home game in the playoffs. After the Giants beat them they really need to go into the playoffs after a win.

New Orleans has been eliminated from playoff contention but would love to break one off in the Panthers. The NFC South is simple, in a divisional game the home team wins end of story. And the Saints will be trying to get help Drew Brees set a new season passing yard record. Brees needs a little over 400 yards to break the Dan Marino mark of most passing yards in a single season.

This may actually be good news for the Panthers as they pass defense is slightly better than their run defense. The perception is that the Carolina Panthers have a great defense but this is false. They have a decent defense that plays great when Julius Peppers does.

> Find Carolina Panthers jerseys & apparel online through Pro Football Fans and check the 2008 NFL scoreboard as well!

Peppers will be the key if he can get enough pressure on Brees then the Panthers can pick off a pass or two and win the game. If (as he often does) turns out to be a dud this week then the Saints will pick the team apart.

Carolina’s offense has been playing very well of late with DeAngelo Williams being a beast over the last few games. Look for the Panthers to show a little more moxie in the play calling. I think they will use Williams more as a pass catching option. They also need to get a 3 rd receiver more involved in the offense.

This would help them beat the Saints and also give other Playoff Teams something to have to work on before playing Carolina. If the Panthers ARE able to diversify the attack a bit, they can buck the trend and win on the road.

By Randy Inman
ProFootball-fans.com Carolina Panthers Correspondent

For more of Randy's work check out FootballDogz.com where he is the Chief Writer!