Carolina Panthers (11-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-7) - Sunday, FOX 1:00PM ET
The Panthers rank 12th overall in total offense. However, the Saints are averaging 410.3 yards per game.
The Panthers held New Orleans to a season-low seven points when the two teams played October 19, but New Orleans has
been rolling up yards and points since then.
The Panthers pass rush has been largely ineffective against New Orleans, but the
Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers has 13.5 sacks this season, a single season personal best.
Last week it was the Panthers rushing defense that proved ineffective, while the Saints running game
has improved over the past few weeks.
"We are facing a great challenge in a hostile environment," says head
coach John Fox. "I cannot ask for a greater effort than we gave last week,
but we will have to execute better against a very good Saints team."
Series: Panthers 15-12 Advantage
This Sunday’s game marks the 28th meeting between the Panthers and Saints. The Panthers have a 15-12 advantage
in the series.
In the 27 previous games between these NFC South division rivals, 13 have been decided by eight points or less,
including seven of the 12 games played in New Orleans. The Panthers hold a 7-5 advantage in games played in New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints will be seeking their first home win against the Panthers since 2001.
Earlier this season (October 19, 2008), the Panthers defeated the Saints at home by a 30-7 score.
In that game, the Panthers converted two Saints turnovers into touchdowns. The New Orleans Saints built a
7-3 lead on the first play of the second quarter.
However, Julius Peppers jarred the ball loose from tight end Jeremy Shockey and Chris Harris recovered the fumble.
Four plays later, running back Jonathan Stewart ran 18 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 lead. A lead the Panthers would
not relinquish as the Panthers scored 27 unanswered points.
On the Panthers first drive of the third quarter, quarterback Jake Delhomme connected with wide receiver Steve Smith
for a 39-yard touchdown pass, to extend the Panthers lead to 20-7.
Delhomme threw his second touchdown pass of the game with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter when he found
running back DeAngelo Williams from four yards out.
On offense, Jonathon Stewart finished the game with 68 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 attempts. Jake
Delhomme was 14-of-22 for 195 yards with two touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 122.3. Steve Smith had
122 receiving yards and one score on six receptions.
On offense, Julius Peppers finished the game with four tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and
one pass defensed. Cornerback Ken Lucas notched his second interception of the season while linebacker Thomas Davis
led the Panthers with nine tackles.
Last season in New Orleans (10/7/2007), the Panthers defeated the Saints 16-13. Carolina QB David Carr connected
with WR Steve Smith for the game-tying 17-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter. John Kasay kicked a 52-yard FG for the
16-13 vicotry as time expired.
NFL 2008 Week 16: New York Giants 34, Carolina Panthers 28 (OT)
Despite DeAngelo Williams 4 touchdowns and solid efforts from Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith and Jonathon Stewart on offense,
the Panthers defense surrendered 459 yards against the Giants.
With the NFC number 1 seed on the line, the Giants overcame an 11-point deficit in the second quarter and
an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Panthers in overtime. Brandon Jacobs scored his
third touchdown of the game for the win, a two-yard run 5 minutes and 3 seconds into the overtime.
The Giants rushed for 301 yards. Derrick Ward ran for 215 yards on 15 carries (14.3-yard average). Brandon Jacobs
added 87 yards rushing along with the 3 TDs after sitting out last week's Cowboys game with an injury. Eli Manning was
17-of-27 for 181 yards and 1 touchdown pass.
For the Panthers, DeAngelo Williams scored all four Carolina touchdowns (13-yards, 5-yards, 1-yard and
30-yards). Jake Delhomme completed 11-of-19 for 185 yards.
NFL 2008 Week 16: New Orleans Saints 42, Detroit Lions 7
The New Orleans Saints scored touchdowns on their six offensive possessions and tallied 532 yards
of total offense and compiiled 32 first downs in their 42-7 victory in Detroit.
The Saints defense allowed the Lions only 255 net yards.
In the game, the Saints offense scored immediately after WR Skyler Green returned the opening kickoff
60 yards. Four different Saints scored rushing touchdowns in the first half as the Saints took a 28-7 lead in the
first half.
In the second half, QB Drew Brees connected on two touchdown passes to WR Marques Colston (99 yards).
Brees completed 30 of 40 passes for 351 yards with two TD passes and a 117.8 passer rating,
raising his season pass yardage total to 4,683 yards, the 11th highest total in NFL history.
Drew Brees needs 402 yards passing in the season finale against the Panthers to break the
NFL single season passing yardage record of 5,084 yards held by Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.
Carolina Panthers (11-4)
QB JAKE DELHOMME has won 7 of 9 starts vs. the New Orleans Saints. Aims for 3rd in row vs. the New Orleans Saints
with 120.0+ passer rating. As starter, when Delhomme has 110.0+ rating, team is 15-0 RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS has rush TD in team-record 8 games in row, including 4 touchdowns last week. Has
franchise-record 20 touchdowns (18 rush). Has rushed for 923 yards (115.4 per game) & 16 touchdowns in past 8.
Club is 13-2 (.867) when he rushes for 80+ yards. RB JONATHAN STEWART has 9 rush touchdowns & ties for 2nd among
rookies. Had 18-yard TD run in last meeting WR Smith has 33 catches for 602 yards (120.4 per game) in past
5. Had 6 catches for 122 yards (20.3 avg.) & TD in last meeting. Has 8 touchdowns (7 rec., 1 rush) in past 7 meetings.
Offense leads NFC with 66.7 TD pct. in red zone (30 touchdowns, 45 poss.) DE Peppers is 1st in team history
with 69.5 sacks & 25 forced fumbles. Has 13.5 sacks in past 13. Has sack in 5 of past 7 (9.5 sacks)
New Orleans Saints (8-7)
The Saints lead NFL in total offense (410.3 yards per game) this season.
The Saints are 6-1 at home this season Since joining the Saints in 2006, Pro Bowl QB DREW BREES has passed for 13,524 yards, most in NFL.
This season, Drew Brees leads the NFL with career-high 4,683 passing yards & has 9 300-yard games. Brees needs 1 300-yard
game to tie the single-season record of 10 set by Rich Gannon in 2002. Drew Brees has 117.2 passer rating with 19
touchdowns vs. 4 interceptions at home. In 7 home games, Brees has passed for 300+ yards 6 times RB PIERRE THOMAS aims for 7th in row with TD. Has 9 touchdowns in past 6 (6 rush, 3 rec.). In past 6,
Thomas has 677 scrimmage yards (112.8 per game) WR MARQUES COLSTON had 1st 100-yard game (132 yards) vs.
the Panthers (10/1/06) & had career-long 86-yard TD. Had 9 catches for 99 yards & 2 touchdowns last week. WR LANCE
MOORE has 6 touchdowns in past 8. Has career-high 71 catches, 837 yards & 8 touchdowns DE WILL SMITH had
sack in last home game vs. th Panthers. CB JASON DAVID has 4 interceptions in past 5. Rookie DT SEDRICK ELLIS has
3.0 sacks in past 5. S ROMAN HARPER had INT & FF in 11/25/07 meeting.
PREDICTION: New Orleans Saints 34, Carolina Panthers 20
Facing the number one scoring unit in the NFL will put tremendous pressure on the Panthers defense.
In 2008, the Saints rank first in the NFL in points scored (432) and in points per game (28.8) ahead of the New York
Giants.
For the Panthers to win their offense will need to be productive. The Panthers have scored at least 28 points in
six consecutive games on the strength of Steve Smith and the running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Despite the Panthers 16-13 victory in New Orleans last season, home-field will be an advantage fot the Saints.
At home the Panthers finished a perfect 8-0 this season. On the road, however, the Panthers are less than spectacular
3-4 as they have not beaten a good team on the road this season. For the Saints this season, the same story holds true.
The Saints are 6-1 at home and 2-6 on the road.
For the Panthers, this game in New Orleans makes-or-breaks their season. Yes, it's odd that an 11-4 team already in
the playoffs faces a must-win situation. But, for the Panthers it is. If the Panthers lose while the Falcons win, then
Carolina winds up with the 5 seed playing next and playing on the road. Granted, the wildcard game will come against the
Cardinals. However, the Panthers will find themselves on the road again the following week against the Giants or the
Falcons.
Expect the Panthers to be ready and play well through the first half, perhaps even leading. But in the end, the Saints
offense will wear down the Panthers defense plus Carolina's offense will not be able to keep pace.
RELATED NFL 2008 Week 17
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Falcons Playing for NFC 2 Seed & Playoff Game at Home
The Falcons (10-5) host the Saint Louis Rams (2-13) this Sunday wit a chance to capture the NFC South division title and the
NFC's number two seed. With that comes a first round bye and a home game the following week.
All or Nothing in Sunday Night's AFC West Battle
What a way to end the NFL 2008 Regular Season. It's an all or nothing proposition for the longtime AFC West rivals
Broncos and Chargers. The winner captures the AFC West and prepares for the AFC playoffs.
Jets & Dolphins in an Ironic Twist of Fate
When the NFL 2008 season started, not many envisioned the significance of this game. For the Dolphins it's a
straightforward proposition, win and the Dolphins are AFC East champs. For the Jets, they need to win plus rely on
either the Bills or Jaguars to win.
Bills Could Spring December Upset Versus Patriots
The New England Patriots have defeated the Bills 10 times in a row. However, the Patriots come into Buffalo somewhat
wary, after seeing what the Bills accomplished last week in Denver. The Bills overcame an early 13-point deficit
and scored on five consecutive possessions to defeat the Broncos in Denver, 30-23.
Ravens Ready to Clinch AFC Playoff Spot
After a 2-3 start to the NFL 2008 season, the Ravens have gone 8-2 with first-year head coach John Harbaugh and
rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to improve to 10-5. And, if they beat the Jaguars at home this Sunday, the Ravens advance
to the AFC Playoffs.
Win-and-In Opportunity for Cowboys Against Eagles
The Cowboys control their own destiny, despite losing to the Ravens last week, 33-24. After a 10-3 loss in Washington,
the Eagles need to beat the Cowboys and need help in the form of a loss by Tampa Bay, coupled with a loss by either the
Bears or Vikings in the final Sunday of the 2008 NFL regular season.
NFL 2008: NFL Playoffs are Always Unpredictable
As unpredictable an NFL 2008 season, one thing may be certain in the NFL -- There always is change.
A prime example is the NFL teams that make and don't make the playoffs each season.
Week 17: Final Week of the NFL's 2008 Regular Season & It's All on the Line
The journey to the NFL's playoffs has been challenging this 2008 season especially over the last two weeks which have been
topsy-turvy. Upsets, disappointments and surprises leave a number of teams fighting for the remaining NFL's 5 playoff spots.
For those teams, this is their last-chance. They either do it now in NFL's final week of the 2008 regular season or start
planning for 2009. Plus, at stake for the Falcons and Panthers, the NFC's number two seed and a first-round playoff bye.
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NFL 2008 WEEK 17 SCHEDULE (DECEMBER 28)
(All times local)
St. Louis at Atlanta, 1:00 PM
Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
New England at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Oakland at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Kansas City at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
Seattle at Arizona, 4:15 PM
Detroit at Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Jacksonville at Baltimore, 4:15 PM
Chicago at Houston, 1:00 PM
Miami at N.Y. Jets, 4:15 PM
Tennessee at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Dallas at Philadelphia, 4:15 PM
N.Y. Giants at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Washington at San Francisco, 4:15 PM
Carolina at New Orleans, 1:00 PM
Denver at San Diego, 5:15 PM (NBC)
NFL 2008 WEEK 16 RESULTS (DECEMBER 18, 20-22)
(Home team in CAPS)
Indianapolis 31, JACKSONVILLE 24 (Thursday)
Baltimore 33, DALLAS 24 (Saturday)
San Diego 41, TAMPA BAY 24
TENNESSEE 31, Pittsburgh 14
Buffalo 30, DENVER 23
OAKLAND 27, Houston 16
SEATTLE 13, N.Y. Jets 3
Atlanta 24, MINNESOTA 17
Cincinnati 14, CLEVELAND 0
WASHINGTON 10, Philadelphia 3
New Orleans 42, DETROIT 7
Miami 38, KANSAS CITY 31
NEW ENGLAND 47, Arizona 7
San Francisco 17, ST. LOUIS 16
N.Y. GIANTS 34, Carolina 28 (OT)
CHICAGO 20, Green Bay 17 (OT) (Monday)
NFL 2008 WEEK 15 RESULTS – DECEMBER 11, 14-15
(Home Team in Caps)
CHICAGO BEARS 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
N.Y. JETS 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Seattle Seahawks 23, ST. LOUIS RAMS 20
Minnesota Vikings 35, ARIZONA CARDINALS 14
ATLANTA FALCONS 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (OT)
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, BALTIMORE RAVENS 9
CINCINNATI BENGALS 20, Washington Redskins 13
CAROLINA PANTHERS 30, Denver Broncos 10
HOUSTON TEXANS 13, Tennessee Titans 12
New England Patriots 49, OAKLAND RAIDERS 26
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 31, Detroit Lions 21
DALLAS COWBOYS 20, N.Y. Giants 8
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 20, Green Bay Packers 16
San Diego Chargers 22, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 21
MIAMI DOLPHINS 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30, Cleveland Browns 10
NFL 2008 WEEK 14 RESULTS - DECEMBER 4, 7 - 8
(Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO 34, Oakland 7
Miami 16, BUFFALO 3 (Toronto)
DENVER 24, Kansas City 17
SAN FRANCISCO 24, N.Y. Jets 14
CHICAGO 23, Jacksonville 10
New England 24, SEATTLE 21
Minnesota 20, DETROIT 16
ARIZONA 34, St. Louis 10
Houston 24, GREEN BAY 21
PITTSBURGH 20, Dallas 13
INDIANAPOLIS 35, Cincinnati 3
BALTIMORE 24, Washington 10
NEW ORLEANS 29, Atlanta 25
Philadelphia 20, N.Y. GIANTS 14
TENNESSEE 28, Cleveland 9
CAROLINA 38, Tampa Bay 23
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