After Monday night's come from behind win for the Buccaneers over the Colts, the Saints remain tied with the Bucs atop the NFC South with both teams being 3-1. This coming weekend, the Saints can help their cause in the South with a win against the Carolina Panthers and new up and coming QB, Cam Newton.
First a look at the Saints. Offense is not the problem with the Saints. Offensively they rank 2nd in the league with 454 yards a game, 5th in points with 31.8 a game, 2nd in pass yards with 335 yards a game and 10th with 119 yards a game. Coach Payton has been using Mark Ingram sparingly but has been giving him touches in some key moments to ease him in to the game. Ingram's 3.5 yards per carry average will only get better when he sees more consistent playing time. Darren Sproles has been spectacular so far with not only his rushes, averaging 8.9 yards a carry, but also with his receptions (26 receptions for 224 yards and 1 TD) and Pierre Thomas is also averaging 5 yards a carry. Right now, defense is the weak spot for the Saints. Rated 15th in the league with overall defense, 9th against the rush and 19th against the pass wouldn't be that bad but the Saints aren't forcing turnovers with only two interceptions and three forced fumbles (with only one being recovered) so far this year. The defense has to improve and be more consistent. I know that the Saints have had to deal with injuries and suspensions to defensive starters so far this year but who in the league hasn't had to deal with something?
Now, looking at the Panthers. The faithful up in Charlotte have been running out and buying anything they can find with Cam Newton on it. If nothing else, he has brought a spark to not only the team but the fans. Cam and the Panthers offense are rated right behind the Saints in most offensive categories being rated 17th in points (with 22.2 a game), 3rd in total yards (with 440 yards per game), 3rd in passing yards (334.8 yards per game) and 17th in rushing yards (105.2 yards per game). Meanwhile on defense, the Panthers are allowing 143.8 rushing yards a game and 203 yards through the air with the only QB comparable to Brees that they have faced is Aaron Rodgers. The Panthers are good on third down defense, only allowing 33.3% of third down conversions.
When you look at these two teams on paper it looks like a pretty close match up but one glaring difference between the two is third and fourth down conversion. The Panthers are an atrocious 17 for 52 on third down conversions and 1 of 4 on fourth down. The Saints meanwhile, are 32 of 58 on third down and 2 of 3 on fourth down. Cam Newton is also only ten yards behind DeAngelo Williams for being the team's top rusher and has all four of the team's rushing TDs. Why? Cause Cam likes to call his own number when he is inside the opponents ten yard line. If you don't think that the Saints defense sees that....you are smoking crack! Jonathan Vilma has seen limited participation in practice this week for the Saints so that it seems that knee injury may still be an issue. Looking at the defenses, I'll give you a push with neither defense really giving you the upper hand but as far as offenses go, the Saints have the advantage and I think that is what will win the game for them. When looking at the special teams, I also give the Saints the edge there. Look for the Saints to come out slinging it and trying to get a quick two score lead. If that happens, look for running of Sproles and Mark Ingram with more touches than they have had so far this season and possibly pushing over that 100 yard mark for one of them. I think that the Saints will win this one by about 10 points.
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