Game-day details
Sun., 1 p.m. ET, Erickson Stadium
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Partly sunny. High: 82. Low: 58.
Why To Watch
The Panthers' defense and the Patriots' offense headline a rematch of Super Bowl 38 in a game some are calling a preview of Super Bowl 40.
Despite Week 1's last-second home loss to the Saints, Carolina's defense has one of the NFL's top front sevens, led by perhaps exciting end Julius Peppers. But the team suffered a big loss with tackle Kris Jenkins' season-ending knee injury.
The Patriots go as quarterback Tom Brady goes. The man simply doesn't lose. And with running back Corey Dillon eager to prove himself on carries between the tackles, the Patriots have enough firepower to win on the road.
Patriots Keys For Success
1. Throw to run. Carolina's defensive front seven is among the NFL's best, but coach Bill Belichick excels at creating advantages through personnel and formations. Expect to see three-wide sets, forcing the Panthers into their nickel package and spreading the ball to several receivers. That also will thin the box and allow Dillon to get into the flow of the game early.
2. Keep Dillon involved. Last week, we saw Dillon start to lose focus when he was not getting touches early. Dillon doesn't offer much as a receiver, so to be involved in the game plan he must run the ball. The Patriots will run at Peppers and fellow end Mike Rucker to slow the pass rush and set up play-action passes.
3. Stop the run. The Panthers don't do anything fancy on offense. They will look to pound the ball with Stephen Davis, who is an inside-outside threat, and mix in DeShaun Foster. Once they establish the run, they will turn to Jake Delhomme's play-action passing and then take occasional shots downfield to wide receivers. The Pats have a strong front three (or sometimes four) and their linebackers work well against the run, so Belichick will focus on stopping the run first and force the ball into Delhomme's hands.
Panthers Keys For Success
1. Press the wide receivers. Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble are strong cornerbacks, and nickel back Ricky Manning was good enough to have started in the teams' Super Bowl matchup. They must press receivers, knock them off their routes and make Brady hold the ball longer than he would like. That will give the defensive line time to collapse the pocket and penetrate.
2. Pressure Brady up the middle. Brady is a pocket passer who likes to step up into the pocket. While Peppers and Rucker will bring pressure off the edge, the best way to disrupt Brady is to get in his face. Bringing pressure up the middle will collapse the pocket and leave Brady vulnerable, or force him outside into the pressure from the ends.
3. Bring in the H-back. The offense makes good use of intermediate passes, and in coordinator Dan Henning's offense that means completions to the H-back. Look for Brad Hoover and Nick Goings in that role, creating mismatches in zone coverage and getting behind linebackers who are adjusting to the losses of Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson.
Injuries at a glance
Patriots injuries
9/7/05 David Givens WR Chest Questionable for Week 1
9/7/05 Tom Brady QB Shoulder Probable for Week 1
9/1/05 Tedy Bruschi LB Stroke/heart surgery Has a small shot at playing in 2005
2/10/05 Richard Seymour DT Knee Could miss 3-6 weeks
Panthers injuries
9/12/05 Kris Jenkins DT ACL tear Out for 2005
9/7/05 Julius Peppers DE Foot Expected to play in Week 1
9/6/05 Eric Shelton RB Foot fracture Out for season
The Bottom Line
Defense will keep the Panthers in the game, but in the end, the Patriots' ability to run the ball will give kicker Adam Vinatieri a chance to be the difference in a close game.
Originally posted by Failed Mascot@Sep 13th '05 @ 8:53 am I have to believe the Patriots are a much better team than The Saints, and with Jenkins out I think Dillon will have a field day.
31-14 Patriots
You do mean the Panthers, I believe.
And I think it will be a close game, but the Patrioys will get er done.
Originally posted by Failed Mascot@Sep 13th '05 @ 9:53 am I have to believe the Patriots are a much better team than The Saints, and with Jenkins out I think Dillon will have a field day.
31-14 Patriots
i posted this in the other thread, with Jenkins out for most of the game Deuce McAllister had 64 yards on 25 carries. Had it not been for the refs the Patriots wouldve edge by Oakland rather than win by 10 points. I think this'll be another close one.
__________________
When Sean Avery was a child, he made his mother finish his vegetables.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Brooklyn @ May 20th ) [snapback]2006104[/snapback]</div>
(like all Panthers games usually are, they call them the cardiac cats for a reason)
__________________
When Sean Avery was a child, he made his mother finish his vegetables.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Brooklyn @ May 20th ) [snapback]2006104[/snapback]</div>
This is going to be an interesting game I think. With the loss of Bruschi and Johnson it could allow Carolina to have a big day on the ground. Conversely, with the loss of Jenkins Dillon should be able to do some up the middle running. This is going to be a slugfest highlighted by the occasional deep ball off of the PA pass to keep defenses honest. Patriots win 24-17.
Originally posted by bigsexyy81@Sep 13th '05 @ 11:54 am You do mean the Panthers, I believe.
nope, I meant the Saints. If the Saints can put up 23 points on the Panthers then I think the Pats can put up more, since they're a better team than the Saints.
Patriots vs Panthers
/07215_206.jpg ":drool:")
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