Panthers vs. Saints Week 17 Match-Up Capsule

by Jaxon on Dec 29, 2011 9:24 PM EST

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-9) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-3)

SERIES

	PANTHERS	SAINTS
SERIES LEADER	17-16
STREAKS		4 of past 5
COACHES VS. OPP.	Rivera: 0-1	Payton: 5-6
LAST WEEK	W 48-16 vs. Buccaneers	W 45-16 vs. Falcons
LAST GAME	10/9/11: Saints 30 at Panthers 27. New Orleans RB Pierre Thomas catches game-winning 6-yard TD pass from QB Drew Brees with 50 seconds remaining in road victory.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/3/10: Saints 16, Panthers 14. New Orleans K John Carney converts 3 FGs, including game-winning 25-yarder with just under 4 minutes remaining.
BROADCAST	FOX (12:00 PM CT): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 138 (Car.), 125 (NO). XM: 229 (NO).

STATS

PASSING	Newton (R): 295-492-3,893-20-16-85.0	Brees: 440-622-5,087 (1L)-41 (2L)-13-108.4 (2L)
RUSHING	D. Williams: 148-783-5.3-7	Sproles: 81-563-7.0-2
RECEIVING	S. Smith: 73-1,308 (3C)-17.9-6	Graham (TE): 91 (3L)-1,213-13.3-10 (3C)
OFFENSE	395.7 (3C)	457.1 (1L)
TAKE/GIVE	+2	-4
DEFENSE	361.7	372.9
SACKS	Johnson: 9	Harper: 7.5
INTs	Gamble, Martin: 3	P. Robinson: 3
PUNTING	Baker: 42.5	Morstead: 48.0 (2C)
KICKING	Mare: 105 (42/43 PAT; 21/27 FG)	Kasay: 138 (2L) (57/57 PAT; 27/33 FG)

NOTES

PANTHERS:

QB CAM NEWTON has 34 total TDs (20 pass, 14 rush), most by rookie in NFL history. His 14 rush TDs most ever in season by QB. Has 3,893 pass yards, most by rookie. In last meeting, had 2 pass TDs & rush TD. Has pass TD & rush TD in 8 games, tied for most in season in NFL history
In past 4 meetings, RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS has rushed for 528 yards (132 per game) & 4 TDs. Is averaging 45.3 yards per rush TD in those 4. Has 4 rush TDs in past 3.
RB JONATHAN STEWART had 55-yard rec. TD in last game at NO, longest career catch. Has career-high 45 catches & 406 yard
WR STEVE SMITH is 3rd in NFC with 1,308 rec. yards & needs 92 to reach 1,400 for 3rd time. Leads NFL with 27 catches of 20+ yards. Had 54-yard TD in last meeting.
WR BRANDON LA FELL had career-long 91-yard TD catch last week & 103 yards, 1st career 100-yard game. TE GREG OLSEN had TD catch in last game vs. NO
DE CHARLES JOHNSON has 17 sacks in past 22. Needs 1 sack to reach 10 for 2nd season in row

SAINTS:

Have won 7 in row. Have team-record 6,857 total net yards
QB DREW BREES has NFL-record 5,087 pass yards & passed HOFer DAN MARINO (5,084). Has 12 300-yard pass games, most in season, incl. 6 in row, tied for most all-time. Has 20+ comp. in NFL-record 35 games in row. Has TD pass in 42 consecutive games, 2nd-longest streak in NFL history
RB-PR-KR DARREN SPROLES is 1st player in NFL history with 1,200+ scrimmage yards (1,244) & 1,200+ KR-PR yards (1,284).
RB PIERRE THOMAS aims for 3rd in row vs. Car. with TD
TE JIMMY GRAHAM leads NFL TEs with 91 receptions & is 2nd with 1,213 yards. Can become 1st TE in NFL history with 95+ catches, 1,200+ yards & 10+ TDs in season. Graham (91) & Sproles (81) are 1st TE-RB duo in NFL history with 80+ catches each.
WR LANCE MOORE has 5 TDs in past 5.
WR MARQUES COLSTON has 998 yards & needs 2 to reach 1,000 for team-record 5th season
Since entering NFL in 2006, S ROMAN HARPER has 17 sacks, most by DB. Has 7.5 sacks & needs 1 for most by DB in season. Harper has also been voted 'Biggest Douche in the NFL' by Panther fans [I made that part up]

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Comments

Brees’s numbers are sick…that has to scare the hell out of BAMF and McDermott.

The only problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.
-Margaret Thatcher

by Panther Fan in GA on Dec 29, 2011 9:37 PM EST reply actions

I think Brees' numbers are overrated

I mean that as no slight at him as a QB, because he’s a Hall of Famer. But I liken them to a spread offense QB in college. He throws a ton of passes, including lots of short underneath passes. His top two pass catchers are his TE and his RB.

I know he gives OC’s headaches and we have reason to be worried about what he’ll do to our secondary, but I take his numbers with a grain of salt.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 29, 2011 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

depends on what numbers you're looking at

I think his 42 straight games with a TD and 12 300-yd games are most impressive. I mean, you know what he’s gonna do, so why can’t you stop it? You know the pass is going to Sproles and Graham, but he has many other receivers with size and speed. No one can stop them because of Brees’ decision making on the field. He is a definite Hall of Famer, and I think the only way to stop to them is to run the ball 35 times, and control the clock – keep him off the field and score TDs, not FGs. Remember that when we lost last time, we had a lot of penalties and turnovers, but only lost by 3. So if minimize mistakes, run the hell out of the ball, and get a turnover or two, we can win.

by usana_gaines on Dec 29, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

I agree that he is a HOFer

I just think people get too caught up in his yardage totals. It’s not that hard to put up huge numbers when you throw the ball 650 times in a season. His YPA isn’t really anything super special (6th in the league, one spot behind Carson Palmer and a whole yard less than Rodgers). Considering that his attempts are completed more than anyone else in the league, you’d think that number would be higher. His 11.5 yards per completion is really not that good and is comparable to Alex Smith and Kyle Orton (Virtually all other top QBs average around 13 yards per completion).

Again, I’m not saying he’s a bad QB. He’s obviously great. I just think his numbers are severely inflated.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 29, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions

Agree

but would add that they need hit Brees fast and hard. Not illegal, but close is good if the sack isn’t there.

by disgruntled1 on Dec 30, 2011 12:19 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

Hmmmnn...

I don’t think this is a fair analysis of Brees’s numbers. So, I’m gonna’ punch in some comparisons and I’ll get back to you with a rebuttle.

by crescendo2020 on Jan 1, 2012 2:34 AM EST up reply actions

Okay.

It’s easy to think that Drew’s huge yardage doesn’t mean much, with a potentially record breaking amount of attempts. Or does it? Maybe it also has to do with his accuracy. Let’s see. Here’s the list of the top six QBs in order of their YD/A:
A. Rodgers: 9.25
T. Brady: 8.5
M. Schaub: 8.49
E. Manning: 8.25
C. Palmer: 8.2
D. Brees: 8.18
Okay, now let’s give all of those QBs 622 attempts (The amount that Drew currently has), and see how they match up when you consider comp.%. (622 attempts x compl.% x YD/A)
A. Rodgers: 3,929
D. Brees: 3,597
T. Brady: 3,468
M. Schaub: 3,221
E. Manning: 3,094
C. Palmer: 3,060
Much different. Infact, it’s very similar to the QB rating section. Drew Brees has earned his high yardage by being accurate, and pass attempts. Actually, he also earns his pass attempts by being accurate as well. Naturally, the more accurate (judged by percentage of completions) the QB, the more you can trust him to throw a completion.

by crescendo2020 on Jan 1, 2012 3:40 AM EST up reply actions

My point being,

that even though five of those guys gain more yards per attempt, than Brees, only one has the completion% to go along with those attempts in order to out-do the yardage that Drew’s thrown. A record generally is impressive because the record holder is the only one able to do the task to the degree that the record calls for right? Moral of the rebuttle?You can’t judge a book by it’s attempts.

by crescendo2020 on Jan 1, 2012 4:00 AM EST up reply actions

RG3 is fun to watch

I hope the redskins take him. I want to see a Cam Newton RG3 showdown next season. I bet that game will be more competitive than the Eagles game.

by Atlantapanther on Dec 29, 2011 9:40 PM EST reply actions

i fully expect him to be better than Luck

I don’t know what it is about Andrew Luck, but I don’t see him as being as good as advertised. In fact, if he throws for 3500 yards and 20 TDs as a rookie, some people might be disappointed. I think he’ll be one notch below guys like Aikman, Eli Manning, and Romo. Yes, I think Aikman was highly overrated, and I realize that’s still pretty good, but RG3 will be better.

by usana_gaines on Dec 29, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with you on your analysis of Luck

I see a high mid-tier QB. Like Romo, Eli, or Matt Ryan as his ceiling. I just don’t think he’s as good as advertised and it’ll be extremely hard for him to live up to expectations.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 29, 2011 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

I always thought Luck was overrated

I don’t think he would’ve enjoyed as much success in the SEC. He’s beat up on crappy teams and the bowl game against VT is misleading because ACC defenses all suck. Simple and Plain. I actually think Luck won’t be even as good as Ryan.

by Atlantapanther on Dec 29, 2011 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. The sales pitch on Luck is that he is guaranteed not to be a bust.

Not that he will become an All-Pro.

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 29, 2011 11:33 PM EST up reply actions

Erm, no. The sales pitch is that he has a very high floor and a stratospheric ceiling.

"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury

by OldhamA on Dec 29, 2011 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, he's being touted as the next Peyton Manning

It doesn’t seem like he’s improved a whole lot this year. If he’s already approaching his ceiling, he’s nowhere near Peyton.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 30, 2011 12:07 AM EST up reply actions

Well, that's not entirely fair

Remember Luck’s head coach left for the NFL and most of his O-line from last year left as well. I think he’ll be every bit as good as people are saying. If he turns out to be as good as most experts are predicting, he’ll be the next John Elway or Peyton Manning.

I think you guys are looking to prove Newton was the better pick regardless of when Luck came out, and he might well be, but don’t minimize Luck’s talent just because he will be compared to Cam.

I will be very surprised if Luck doesn’t come out like Cam did and just take the NFL by storm. It all depends on what team drafts him, and what their offensive philosophy is.I don’t believe any of us think Cam would have been as successful if we still had Fox and Davidson as our coaches.

Iranian Air Defense Site: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.'
Air Defense Site: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait!'
Air Defense Site: (... total silence)

by Tarheel Soldier on Dec 30, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

True, I forgot his coach left

But he has a couple first round picks on his OLine. I was very excited about getting Luck last year. But now that I’ve watched him objectively, I don’t think he’s as great as I once thought. Remember, these same experts thought Gabbert was the best QB in this draft and seems like the opposite is true.

Luck may turn out to be the next more Manning or Elway, but that’s a lot of pressure to put on a kid. It’s to the point that if he doesn’t become a Hall of Famer it’ll be a disappointment. That’s tough. He’ll probably be ROTY next year and deservedly so (Even though I think it’s already his award to lose, assuming he plays from the start). But I’m not entirely sold that he’s a sure fire superstar.

Remember, Aaron Rodgers (who’s having arguably the best season ever for a QB) was selected 24th overall in the same draft that Alex Smith was taken first overall. Admittedly, Rodgers fell into a better situation, but if Luck goes #1 he likely won’t be in an ideal situation like Rodgers was.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 30, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Ugh, I think I've been listening to too much Colin Cowherd lately.

His blabbering has given my conscience a roundhouse kick.

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 30, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

As long as he can stay healthy (see Vick)

I think RG3 can be unreal in the NFL.

I don't always fail, but when I do...
I do it awesomely.

by BusyBeingAwesome on Dec 30, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

With CJ and Neblett both likely out, this could be ugly. I want the win first and foremost and hope we crush the Saints but I view this game a win/win. We beat the Saints and that will be amazing and we go 7-9. If we lose then we are guaranteed the 8th or 9th pick in the draft, we still finish the year with triple amount of wins from last season.

by PantherTrain on Dec 29, 2011 9:59 PM EST reply actions

I personally see this game as a win-lose

If we win, we win; if we lose, we lose.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 29, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

THIS

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Dec 29, 2011 11:18 PM EST up reply actions

Hey PT, have you ever worked at a Waffle House before?

Just curious.

Newton for '11 ROY! (Update: Etch it in stone)
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for DPOY!

by Newsinz on Dec 29, 2011 11:26 PM EST up reply actions

Im not waffling.. I said first and foremost i want to crush the Saints, if we dont win then atleast we get a guaranteed 8th or 9th pick in the draft. Im just saying that all is not lost.

by PantherTrain on Dec 29, 2011 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

PT, its not really what you say, but how you say it

You speak in absolutes a lot. There’s nothing wrong with contemplating different ideas, but presenting them like a campaign (for example the title of your recent fanpost “We need to trade down for”) is what catches you a lot of flak.

by ppalm on Dec 30, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

It's nice that we finally got the Fox A-Team, in Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 29, 2011 10:10 PM EST reply actions 7 recs

This made my night.

Laughed for a good minute straight. Thank you. Lol

by got6792 on Dec 29, 2011 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

Anytime :^)

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 29, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

Guy on the left is channeling Jim Carrey. I don't know how, but he's doing it.

ACC Championship Member Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.

Clemson 2011 ACC Champions! Look forward to doing it again next year! :D

by Revshawn on Dec 29, 2011 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

They look baked

Integrity first. Service before self. Excellence in all you do. -- USAF Core Values

by Disciple of Carolina on Dec 29, 2011 10:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

that is what I was thinking

Stoners

"So I'll leave you with this. And I say this with all sincerity, right from the bottom of my heart, and with all due respect: Lick my balls." Grandmaster Wang

by DrWhoDat on Dec 30, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

This is how they looked 20 years ago

I am a proud supporter of troll hunting.

by bigred28655 on Dec 29, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 29, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

LOL what an awful picture

Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader and coiner of the (minus Bowers) meme

by Ivan459 on Dec 30, 2011 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

I just hate that we're gonna have to endure a 3 hour Saints love-fest

Buck and Aikman always pander to the favorites. They might give a shout out to Cam for his accomplishments this season, but I fully expect two pairs of lips firmly pressed against Drew Brees’ ass all day long.

I doubt Buck and Aikman even know the names of half our roster.

by Tarheel Soldier on Dec 30, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

Buck: Let’s see…. They’ve got Cam Newton at QB….
Aikman: And Steve Smith at WR…
Buck: Hmmm… And they had that one guy on defense, with the sacks…
Aikman: Charles Godfrey, right?
Buck: Yeah, Yeah!!!

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 30, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but to be fair...even most of us have a hard time remembering half our roster with all the IR replacements.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Dec 30, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think I can even name the IR roster.

So much to be done, and so few people willing to do it for me.

by Rick Bates on Dec 31, 2011 7:48 PM EST up reply actions

I hope the Saints play the full game.

However if we jump out to a good lead they may try and turn it into a scrimage.

I am a proud supporter of troll hunting.

by bigred28655 on Dec 29, 2011 10:11 PM EST reply actions

they need to win

They don’t want Brady to pass Brees in yards, and if they lose, they get the 3rd seed. They need to win and SF to lose to get the 2nd seed, which means a 1st round bye. 3rd and 4th seeds play next week, and the Saints don’t want that.

by usana_gaines on Dec 29, 2011 10:19 PM EST up reply actions

I don't want brady to get the record either

He already has giselle

by Josh Isitt on Dec 30, 2011 4:18 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

If the 49ers crush their opponent and Brady sits early

the Saints have no reason to keep Brees in the game. I would like to see what we’re gonna do different against Jimmy Graham. My strategy is to put Jordan Senn on him. Graham will catch some passes, but Senn will put some hits on him. Senn is a hitter, and he can do so without drawing stupid penalties. I think Graham needs to get hit a few times. I’d let Shockey line up at LB and hit him.

by usana_gaines on Dec 29, 2011 10:23 PM EST reply actions

Senn can't cover worth shot lol, Jimmy G will

win that match up all day. Sure Senn will get tackles but he will give up a ton up yards. Against the saints, gave up 123 yards in 11 catches allowed, against the Bucs gave up 98 yards on 8 catches on 8 targets allowed according to profootballfocus.com

by adam carter on Dec 29, 2011 11:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, I hope that they give him Safety help.

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 29, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

I meant against the texans he gave up 123 yards

on 11 catches allowed.

by adam carter on Dec 29, 2011 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, no he didn't.

That was underneath routes with the linebackers dropping into zones. The stats just accounted them to Senn, it was a team effort.

"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury

by OldhamA on Dec 29, 2011 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

I can't wait to see

Smitty make Roman Harper his bitch again.

"What do want to say to those critics now?"
"Just sit back and watch the show." -Cam Newton

by Smitty89 on Dec 29, 2011 10:26 PM EST reply actions

it won't happen

I fully expect Harper to find a way to not be around Smitty. I mean, who looks for the guy that embarrassed you the last time you met?

by usana_gaines on Dec 29, 2011 10:34 PM EST up reply actions

Good point.

"What do want to say to those critics now?"
"Just sit back and watch the show." -Cam Newton

by Smitty89 on Dec 29, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

I want to at least see Smitty take down Jenkins by his helmet again :)

Or better yet, I’d like to see him do that to Vilma or Graham for the hell of it
That’d be so worth an ejection

by Atlantapanther on Dec 30, 2011 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

33-17 Panthers of course

by willhmx04 on Dec 29, 2011 10:53 PM EST reply actions

Wow, sitting here watching the Laker game, did Ron Artest for real change his legal name to ‘Metta World Peace’ what a tool bag.. Sorry, i had to vent this out.. Carry on

by PantherTrain on Dec 30, 2011 12:01 AM EST reply actions

how can you watch the laker game when there is a crazy bowl game going on?

Baylor is killing it on the ground. Washington is killing it in the air

by Atlantapanther on Dec 30, 2011 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

He's a headcase

by JDeLong42 on Dec 30, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions

No he's not. Typical nba player.

by oldpanther on Dec 30, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't say he's typical

Most NBA players don’t change their name, especially to something that ridiculous. And I don’t think many NBA players would auction off their first championship ring as an attempt at being charitable.

by JDeLong42 on Dec 30, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions