After last week's loss to the Bucs, the New Orleans game takes on a whole new meaning. Many thought the Saints would easily win the NFC South. At this point they find themselves at the bottom looking up, but not my much. However, they have only played one division opponent, Tampa Bay in week 1, and beat them. Since then Drew Brews has only put up bigger and better numbers. With Colston and Shockley probably back in the line up they become an even bigger offensive powerhouse. This has the potential to be a fairly high scoring game. Carolina will need to up around 30 points if they want to win and if they do, it still may come down to who has the ball last.

The Saints come into Charlotte ranked 1st in passing yards per game (324.7) and 2nd total yards per game (412.2). However, they will face our overall 3rd ranked defensive (264.5) and 2nd ranked passing defensive in the league (158.8), strength vs strength. The presure will be on our secondary to keep them in check. The good news for our defense is that they don't have much of a power running game, they are ranked  25th in rushing yards per game. However, that is a little misleading as Reggie Bush is often used in screens and short passes instead of running up the middle, and you can't forget about Deuce McAllister.

There are several obvious key match-ups this week, so let's go through them.

Panthers Secondary vs Saints QB Drew Brews

Drew Brews is on pace to break Dan Marino's single season passing record. It doesn't matter who is on the field, he finds a way to get the ball down the field. Last week every WR, RB, and TE that played received at least one touch. That's moving the ball around.

This will be our biggest threat to winning the game. Our defensive line has not consistently put pressure on opposing QB leaving our secondary to make sure the passing game stays in check. Some of that has to do with the quick passes being thrown and not allowing time for the pass rush to get in there. But like last week we gave the Bucs hours to throw sometimes. The good news is that our passing defense has only allowed 158.8 yards per game in passing yards so far (2nd in the NFL). I'm not saying we will do that this week but it a good sign.

This is our biggest test our passing defense has faced and possibility will face all season. The only team we will face putting up similar passing stats might be Denver near the end of the season.

Panthers CB Chris Gamble vs Saints WR Marcus Colston

It looks like Marcus Colston will be taking the field again since his week 1 injury. However, I can't say the Saints really missed him. Not to take away from his ablility but the passing game hasn't slowed down. However, the team is 3-3 and having Colston back does make them better. He's a big boy, 6' 4" 225 lbs, our corners have a long day ahead of them. Last season Colston had 11 of the teams 28 touchdowns (40%) so if that doesn't something not much will. We can hope he's rusty after being out for 5 weeks, but don't count on it.

Panthers LB vs Saints RB Reggie Bush

While Reggie Bush isn't a power back he can still cause pain to the opposing team. He's a threat whenever and where ever he is on the field. Bush has touched the ball 119 times, and has 133 looks (passes through and rushes) in the NFL through 6 weeks of play, both categories rank 8th in the league. He also is second in the NFL with total receptions at 41 only behind Denver's WR Brandon Marshall (43 catches).

He also is their punt returner and has retuned three for touchdowns.

Bush didn't participate in team practice on Thursday and if he's not able to go on Sunday that will be big news. However, I wouldn't count him out. This is a very important game. Getting up 2-0 in our close division means a lot.

Panthers WR Steve Smith vs Saints CB Mike McKenzie

Steve Smith has had the droppies the last two weeks. A few of those probably would have gone for a touchdown. In the KC game it was a big factor, in the TB game it was HUGE. Smith better have superglue for hands this week as dropped balls will ruin any team's hopes for a win.

Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams vs Saints LB

I would like to say the Saints weakness is their rushing defense but I can't be so sure right now, they are ranked 14 and we are ranked 15 in yards per game allowed. The Raiders only gained 85 yards on the ground and the Vikings gained a measly 44 yards. However, with LB Jonathan Vilma clogging up the middle, Williams may be in for a bigger day. He's slight edge in speed may allow him to get to the edge this week. If he can pull off a couple of decent runs that will be a huge help to the passing game.

Since this has the potential to be a shootout in points the running game could take back seat. However, if we get any type of significant lead look to Fox to try to keep the ball on the ground and control the time of possession.

Of course any type of running game is going to depend on our OL. So far we haven't had a full half with the same players on the line. Hopefully Otah and Kalil will be healthy and ready to play on Sunday.

Panthers KR/PR Mark Jones vs Saints Special Teams

Field position is always a big deal. Last week we lost big time in starting field position. Mark may have both the KR and PR duties this week after Stewart took a bit of a hit last week. The obvious is that a shorter field means less the offenesive has to do to score. Jones needs to have his best day in the return game to give the Panthers a chance to win.

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The Saints have only lost their three games less than 5 points in each game or a combined total of 10 points so it will be close. We have strength of defense facing strength in offense.

When I first started writing this post I was a bit down on the game, almost expecting the loss. However, now I am fairly optimistic about the game. This is definitely not a give me game, but we can win.The Panthers are coming off a horrendous loss and they whole team knows it. The team probably went into the Bucs game overconfident and then came out flat. This week there was new urgency during practice. The team knows they have to play better. If they continue the trend of the typical Panthers team they should come out strong and hard.

For the Panthers to win I predict a score of Panthers 30, Saints 28.