Well, the Saints have the Panther right where they want them.
Two weeks after falling behind in Miami by 21 points before blowing the doors off the Dolphins, the Saints trailed the Panthers by 14 in the first quarter.
Running back DeAngelo Williams has two rushing touchdowns on six carries -- one for 66 yards and one for seven. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has thrown only two passes, completing both of them for a total of 12 yards.
Panthers pouncing on Saints
Posted by Mike Florio on November 8, 2009 4:34 PM ET
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Latest stories in: Carolina Panthers, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, New Orleans Saints, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Carolina Panthers, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, New Orleans Saints, Top Stories
KEY STAT- "Jake Delhomme has thrown only two passes"
Panthers fumble. Saints recover.
Ballgame?
Is anyone still laughing or scoffing at the mouthguard thing?
Ha ha, yes! Serves me right!
Panthers intercept Brees in the red zone.
Game on.
Call me surprised. No one expects the Panthers to win this one. Even me.
The SAINTS are WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.
Now, if you wanna CROWN 'EM, then CROWN THEIR ASS.
But the SAINTS are WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.
But seriously though, is anyone really surprised that the Saints' collection of third-rate, garbage running back rejects that other teams passed over can't get anything going on the ground?
I know, I know, the Worldwide Leader had half the country convinced that Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush were actually competent running backs, but those of us who actually follow the league closely and don't buy the hype knew better.
Barcid:
The garbage Saints spotted to Panthers 14 points and it is now 20-20 starting the fourth quarter.
Saints may still lose the game, but these Saints are for real and they ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE! A DAMN GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM!
If, by "damn good football team," you mean "overrated, gimmicky squad of paper champions who can't run or stop the run and could easily be knocked off their pedestal soon, if not today."
I have heard the term "championship team" thrown around regarding the Saints so often the past few weeks I wanna vomit.
Championship teams have good running games that actually produce consistently. Championship teams don't get shredded up the middle by Mike Turner and DeAngelo Williams.
This team will fail miserably in the playoffs, mark my words, even if they have home-field advantage throughout.
Update to Non-Believers and Infidels:
Saints get the ball with 11:19 left in the game, tied 20-20.
Saints drive to the Carolina 12 yard line, had a first and goal catch brought back because of holding and kicked a field goal from the 22 yard line taking over 6 minutes off the clock. Saints 23-20.
Carolina gets the ball, drives just into Saints territory and turns the ball over on downs.
Saints get the ball back at their own 48 and did not get a first down but Carolina burns all their timeouts and Saints punt down to the 2 yard line with 2:17 left.
First play for Carolina is a FUMBLE!!! And a Saints TD! Saints lead 30-20!
And Saints go to 8-0 on the season!
SAINTS ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!
STILL UNDEFEATED AND 8-0 BABY!!!!
Next up Rams.......
"I know, I know, the Worldwide Leader had half the country convinced that Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush were actually competent running backs, but those of us who actually follow the league closely and don't buy the hype knew better."
Which "league" are you following, Barcid? The UFL? I'm not a Saints fan, but they're dominating. That defense that "can't stop the run" forced a fumble from Williams on the 1 yd-line and scored a touchdown.
It's so lame to come in during a game, once you've already seen what's played out, and act like you're making big, bold predictions about the outcome. Even lamer still is shooting your wad too soon and looking like a fool once your mid-game predictions don't come true.
The Saints spotted the Panthers 14 points and won. You got spotted a full half a game and still couldn't get your dumb prediction right. Now who looks like the loser?
Hey Barcid. That championship running game had you one and done in the playoffs last year and it lost the game for you today. I'll take our backs and Drew over your boys and that washout you have at QB. A great running game and no passing game gets you 3-5.
Heading into today's game, Saints are the 3rd best rushing team in the league. 3rd best through 7 games is consistent, so by your own definition, the Saints are a championship team. Hate on hater...facts are facts. Even with today's low rushing total, Saints are still top 5.
I feel dirty even wasting the 30 seconds replying to this tripe, but what the hell, my boys are 8-0 and I'm in a great mood!!!
Through last week the Saints run defense was ranked 6th in the NFC in yards per game, pass defense 8th in yards per game in the NFC, but with an opposing QB passer rating of 53.3. Saints Defense also had 6 defensive TD's through last week and scored another one this week.
The Saints have two injuries in the middle at DT and MLB and will get back to where they were in rushing defense when those players get back. The Saints are much more balanced than they used to be, but the Defense is no longer a liability, it is an asset and has now scored more defensive TD's (8) than the Cleveland Browns offense (5), Raiders offense (6), and as many as the Rams offense (7).
So yes, the Saints are a very good football team. Only half the season has been played and anything can happen, but barring injury, these Saints can win it all.
For the record, I am not a Panthers fan.
I just get a laugh out of all the Kool-Aid drinkers who think that "championship teams" are determined in October by defeating teams like Carolina.
Way to go, snatching a nail-biter from the jaws of defeat against the 3-5 Panthers. What an awe-inspiring win.
Because we all know that "championship teams" have a habit of spotting mediocre opponents two touchdowns in the first half.
"Championship teams" let the Dolphins get 24-3 leads before beating them. It's this neat, trendy new strategy that Sean Payton has developed.
This team isn't a pimple on the ass of the Patriots or Colts, and they will fail miserably in the playoffs.
Barcid:
"I just get a laugh out of all the Kool-Aid drinkers who think that "championship teams" are determined in October by defeating teams like Carolina."
Sorry, but the date is now November 8th, 2009. October was so last month.....
I have no idea if the Saints can/will win it all. Injuries can kill any team and the Saints are winning with two starters out in their defense. I do know that 8-0 is a better record right now than any team in the NFC. I would assume you are either a Vikings fan or an Eagles fan given the level of discourse coming from you. (Or a Patriots fan who can't stand the fact that the Yankees won the World Series. If so, I can't stand the Yankees either.)
All in all, I'll take 8-0 with the Rams and Bucs up next. I agree that the Patriots and Colts are the class of the NFL until they are beaten by the likes of the Saints. The Saints can defeat one of them (Patriots) on Monday night in three weeks (don't know if they will?). The other one will have to wait for the Super Bowl.....
Did you notice that the Colts barely survived against the Texans who missed a last second FG that would have tied the game? The Texans are a whopping 5-4.
Waaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaa, Barcid.
It's ok, you can cry. But while you're in your room, why don't you do a little research, so you don't make yourself look so ignorant. The Saints "trash" running attack is 3rd in the league. Their rush defense is 11th. They're ahead of the Pats and Colts in both categories.
Oh, and the most important stat of all...they're 8-0.
Yes, they've fallen behine by 2+ scores twice in 8 games. So what? They've come back and won by double digits both times...despite several injuries. That's what championship teams do. They just win.
Cry, little girl. Cry.
Barcid
LOL!
championship teams go on 43-10 runs against teams like the Dolphins.
this new trendy strategy is called "winning".
again.... LOL!
so "BARCID" what team do you follow, since you don't " cough cough" follow the panthers.