1. 125+ Team Rushing Yards
– Week 1 was painful enough to watch in regards to the running game, so we won’t revisit it. Jonathan Stewart will return to the lineup against the Saints, and as odd as it sounds, it couldn’t come soon enough. J Stew is clearly the best running back on the Panthers roster and would’ve been better suited to handle an overly aggressive Tampa Bay defense at the line of scrimmage last Sunday. With the Saints secondary a week removed from being torched by Washington rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, expect each team’s game plan (Carolina O v. New Orléans D) to be a bit skewed. Carolina will get back to basics and press the run, while New Orléans will be overly prepared for the pass. This should make for an interesting 1st half.
2. Maximum Intensity from Both Squads
– We don’t have to remind you that this is a heated NFC South rivalry game, one in which both teams are 0-1. With that said, this is a heated NFC South rivalry game, one in which both teams are 0-1! If you’re not excited about this game then you probably don’t have a pulse. This game features 2 of the best offensive units in the league led by quarterbacks Cam Newton and Drew Brees. Rest assured Panther nation, you’ve probably seen the worst offensive output from your team this season and it was nice to get it out-of-the-way Week 1. Newton still posted a 300+ yard passing day against the Bucs and he should at least match that against a very porous New Orléans secondary. There will be plenty of prideful players on the field in Charlotte this weekend so be prepared for several on field scuffles in this one. Think Steve Smith v. Roman Harper.
3. Luke Kuechly Will Make His Presence Felt
– After a record setting career at Boston College, Kuechly managed just 2 tackles in his NFL début. It’s still a bit of a mystery as to why this was the case after the way the front 7 performed overall last Sunday. With the speed and quickness the first year linebacker possesses look for him to rebound and be in the backfield early and often this week as he will probably be charged with containing Saints running back Darren Sproles. Sproles is a dual-threat back who can reach the edge on the ground, or through the air. Kuechly gives the Panthers that sideline-to-sideline element they’ve lacked with the rash of injuries Thomas Davis has suffered over the past couple of years. I expect Sproles and the Saints running game to be contained and the league will get its first real look at how much the Panthers secondary has progressed in the offseason. No matter what, the Carolina defensive backs will surely have their hands full Sunday afternoon with a determined Drew Brees under center looking the keep his own team from falling to the dreaded 0-2 start.
The Panthers have everything going for them in this one. Home-field advantage, an 0-1 start, and a city hungry, no starving, for a playoff appearance. This one comes down to the wire but Newton finds a way to win it.
Take Carolina and the Over.
Week 2 Prediction: Carolina 30 New Orléans 28
Panthers Live! 
Its FINALLY game day again! Everyone keeps asking me why I have to watch the Panther games every Sunday and can never miss one…..my reply is simple. We fans only have 16 days (for the past few seasons anyways) a year to watch our favorite teams play this great sport. That usually puts it into enough perspective that I do not have to continue.
Now on to the Panthers. I have been quite disturbed this week when I look back to last weeks running game(or lack thereof for better words). How does Chud ,our great offensive coordinator, have K. Pilares as our leading rusher. i almost want to go out on a limb and suggest that Chud had a bet with a Buc fan suggesting that we can beat you with a second string WR leading our rushing attack. Though I love his confidence i would like to hope that he has been brought back to reality. D Wil still has it but the draw option play should only be run roughly 5 times a game and not all in the first quarter. Look for Double Trouble to be back in full swing with a dash of Yogi (aka Mike Tolbert and yes I looked up his nickname). To beat the Saints this has to be our number 1 priority.
I’m the most excited to see what our defense can do with the “Aint’s” and if we are for real. I feel like we are for real but I have been proving wrong many times in my high expectations with our defense. Now that Norman and Kuechly have a game under their belt hopefully their nerves will be a bit calmer and they can play at their best. I’ve said this once and I will say it again….Our linebacker core is the best in the league if we can all stay healthy. Jon Beason is a beast and a leader and Thomas Davis has nothing to lose. That’s a great combination on a football field and I wish the best for Davis who could be with the Panthers in sorta a Sam Mills kinda way (that is not a comparison to Mills who is a legend and a great man, just a comparison two fell good story lines of two great people). Like you said our offense has put up the worst performance of their year last week and if our defense can be what they are showing us watch out Panther fans its going to be a long fun ride this year.
Its nice that us Panther fans are getting excited and starting blogs to show our support. I was walking into a Harris Teeter last week before the game and have never seen that many Panther jerseys before a game. People are getting excited and I love it. It’s about time our state as gotten excited about football and it would be really nice to convert many of these Cowboys and Redskins fans to their home team. Good Luck Panthers and Keep Pounding everyone….its almost game time.
P.S. The chase starts today also so go Dale Jr…..I think he really has a shot at it this year…..Nascar should start thinking about running Chase races on Saturdays now so I don’t have to switch my TV over because I don’t switch during the Panthers lol
Go Panthers great victory!!!!!!
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