This game started auspiciously as the Panthers drove the field only to settle for a FG and then the Saints made quick work to the end zone to go up 7-3. ‘Enter the Panther' named Julius Peppers who came from the back-side on a TE screen to Jeremy Shockey and tomahawked the ball from his grip. The Panthers recovered, the offense quickly scored and never looked back. It was all Panthers from that point forward.

Peppers wasn't the only Panther who had a good game. The offensive line got untracked as they opened up holes for the running game and only gave up one sack. Both RB's scored, Stewart on a nifty 18 yard run and between nice blocks by RT Jeremy Bridges and RG Keydrick Vincent. The Vincent signing in the off-season is starting to look like the KEY signing (pun intended). RB DeAngelo Williams then added his own score on a pass play in the 4th quarter.

We can also include Steve Smith in the buffet line of accolades from this game. How he caught that TD pass through two defenders is beyond me. He had his typical awesome game with 6 receptions, 122 yards and the aforementioned TD.

How about that defense!! They shut down the Saints high powered offense for the most part (though they still got their yards). The key was the turnovers. Big kudos to Ken Lucas and that awesome INT he had, turning his head at the right time to snag the ball away from the WR. A thing of beauty. Overall they held all-world (except in these Carolina's) QB Drew Brees to a 61 passer rating. Throw in the two 4^th down and short stuffs by Thomas Davis and Peppers and it was a dominant performance.

I have to give my last kudos to the coaching staff. These Panthers were prepared and ready to play. We also saw some plays on offense we've never seen, including the ultimate trick play, the flea flicker (and it worked!). I was even more impressed with the dump out to Williams for the score that was such a well timed play. Just a well played game from about the middle of the 1^st quarter on. One last key stat: 7 for 15 for 47% on 3rd down. That's how to sustain a drive and kill the clock.

So, who do you think deserves the game ball?