NEW ORLEANS – For the Saints, there never seems to be a good time to face the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome.
And despite the two teams’ respective records, this time looks challenging as well, despite the Saints looking for the best time in franchise history that an 8-0 start to the season would achieve.
For the Saints to do that, they have to control the four Panther mainstays: wide receiver Steve Smith, running back DeAngelo Williams, quarterback Jake Delhomme, and defensive end Julius Peppers.
Smith will face a far better secondary this year in the Saints than he ever has. But after complaining earlier in the season about not being a factor any longer in the Panther offense, he caught his first touchdown of the season last week, good for 50 yards.
DeAngelo Williams comes off a season-high 158 yard rushing day against the Cardinals that included a 77-yard gallop. That the Saints gave up 151 yards rushing to Michael Turner Monday night must be concerning.
After suffering three interceptions in a loss to Buffalo two weeks ago, Delhomme considered himself at an all-time low.
He rebounded modestly last week after just deciding to stop worrying and go out and play. But his confidence must still be fragile, and the Saints must prevent it from strengthening on Sunday.
After being called out by teammate Jon Beason for a lack of effort, Peppers has had at least one sack in four straight games. Against the Cardinals he also contributed an interception for a 13 yard touchdown.
The Panthers think they’re becoming the team they should be. The Saints must again prove that they’ve already reached that junction.
Patrick Generose contributed to this story.
