NFL Week 5 Analysis: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

October 10th, 2007 8:05 am
by Pro Set

Carolina 16-13 New Orleans

Rarely does a game have such a seminal drive. New Orleans, spanning the third and fourth quarters, drove for over 20 plays and 10 minutes. The drive yielded nothing. A great tackle on RB Reggie Bush set up fourth down inside the CAR 10 yard line. The energy and desire that DE Julius Peppers showed to muscle through the line and block the K Olindo Mare field goal attempt was peerless. This was the single best example of heart that I have seen this 2007 NFL season.

Duly buoyed by the offense, the final CAR drive was highlighted by good running from RB DeShaun Foster. The reward for this effort was an opportunity for K Jon Kasay to win the game. From 50+ yards, the kick was good and Carolina moved to 3-2, leaving New Orleans winless.

For Carolina, this was the perfect reposte to a terrible home loss. The Panthers must find offensive consistency. WR Keary Colbert has to take some of the load of WR Steve Smith in the passing game. QB Jake Delhomme is sorely missed, with backup QB David Carr still too slow to release the ball.

For New Orleans, the performance was close, but still not complete. The defense was much improved at pressuring the passer. The Saints managed to record their first sack of the season. The mega drive that yielded 0 points broke the building belief in the Superdome. The Saints now travel to Seattle, and a loss next Sunday night ends their season.

Posted in Analysis, Carolina Panthers, David Carr, DeShaun Foster, Game, Jake Delhomme, New Orleans Saints, Reggie Bush, Steve Smith, Week 5 Instant Analysis | No Comments »

NFL Week 5 Featured Preview: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

October 6th, 2007 10:32 pm
by Pro Set

Carolina (2-2) @ New Orleans (0-3) 1pm ET on FOX

This divisional game will be an opportunity for two disappointing teams to get back on track. One of them, however, will fall into a deep abyss.

New Orleans

When the Saints have the ball, RB Reggie Bush needs to be decisive against a supposedly dominant defensive front. With RB Deuce McAllister out (knee), Bush will be doing most of the running. I would like to see New Orleans run Bush from the true I formation. From what I have seen of the Saints this season, running from singleback has not been working. Bush needs to be disciplined and hit the right holes. Good lead blocking will reduce the amount of decisions he needs to make, and allow him to let his talent take over.

In the passing game, some actual catching of the ball would assist QB Drew Brees. WR Marques Colston has to be able to beat CAR CB Chris Gamble or drive back to the ball. Brees has been throwing into coverage and serving up turnovers. To reduce the giveaways (7 INT so far this season) the Saints must block DT Kris Jenkins and DE Julius Peppers. When the Panthers made the Superbowl in the 2003 season, their NFC title game win was highlighted by front four pressure and excellent cover corner play.

Carolina

When Carolina has the ball, QB David Carr is likely to be the leader. QB Jake Delhomme likely won’t start against his former employer. With potential uncertainty in the passing attack, RB DeShaun Foster will be expected to be the showpiece of the offense. Foster is a solid back, but has not progressed sufficiently since taking over from Stephen Davis. Look him to favour right side runs behind road-grader RT Jordan Gross.

Clearly, when Carolina throws, all attention will be upon game-breaker WR Steve Smith. Frustrations were evident last Sunday, in the home loss to Tampa Bay. Carr will need to take advantage of any matchup where Smith is one-on-one. I think that New Orleans has little option but to use CB Mike McKenzie to shadow Smith wherever he lines up. McKenzie, remember, was part of the famous “Stop Moss” draft campaign where the Packers selected whatever defensive backs they could to combat Randy Moss.

Conclusion

This game is hard to read. Carolina looks like the more solid football team. New Orleans, however, has a proven quarterback and an angry team that is coming off a bye week. This game has the feel of a tight contest between clubs with much to lose.

Prediction: New Orleans

Posted in Carolina Panthers, David Carr, Deuce McAllister, Drew Brees, Jordan Gross, Kris Jenkins, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, New Orleans Saints, Reggie Bush, Steve Smith | No Comments »