Panthers Face Game of the Season

This is the most important game the Carolina Panthers have played in a while, the single most important game for the division to date this season, and definitely the biggest MNF game in quite some time. I sure hope this games lives up to the hype, but more importantly I hope the Panthers win. Actually I would rather the Panthers win big then it meet the MNF expectations but that's just me.

As we're all clearly aware, our first meeting this season was not pretty for the Panthers, losing 27-3. The game didn't even start well with a blocked punt on our first possession of the game that was returned for a TD. Then on our second drive we lost 5 yards before we punted again. Third drive only gained one yard, and finally on our fourth drive we scored a field goal, but sad to say we didn't score again.

Speeding up to this week, both of us are 9-3 and fighting for the division lead. Just winning this game won't guarantee it, but losing pretty much guarantees we won't. The last game wasn't so much a fault of the defense, however, our run D could have played better-allowing our first 100 yard rusher and a total of 145 yards on the ground-and Jeff Garcia only had 173 passing yard, but again this was because of their success on the ground. Add to this the three INT that Delhomme threw and the offense couldn't do anything to help the defense. Also, if memory serves correctly, at least two of the INT were not really Delhommes fault but resulted from the receivers tipping the ball and not making the catch, and I'm pretty sure the third one was as well.

Since that game it seems every other game either our defense wins the game or the offense wins the game but not because of both. We've been saying all season that we haven't played a complete game, this is the week the Panthers have to put a complete game together. Tomorrow I'll post what the Panthers defense must do to handle their end of the Panthers complete game.