NFL Thursday Night: Panthers vs Saints Preview
How fast is Kelvin Benjamin? Evidently he is faster than he would want you to believe. David Newton of ESPN reports that Benjamin tanked his forty yard dash time at the NFL Combine to fall in the draft to the Carolina Panthers. Whether this is true or this is some kind of nice revisionist history, Benjamin ran a 4.61 at the combine and claims to run a 4.41.
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What does that have to do with tonight’s game against the New Orleans Saints? Benjamin’s comments came in a discussion comparing him and fellow first round pick Brandin Cooks of the Saints. Cooks is more of a Steve Smith clone and clocked a faster forty time at 4.33 seconds. Both are playing big roles for their teams coming into tonight’s game.
Date: October 30
Time: 8:25
TV: NFL Network
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: New Orleans Saints (3-4)
The New Orleans Saints have been Jeckel and Hyde all season depending on whether they are at home or on the road. The Saints are 3-0 with a big win over the Packers at home. The Saints at 0-4 on the road. They are coming up to Charlotte this week.
The Saints defensive performance has been ragged, much to the frustration of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The 3-4 scheme has not quite come together as much the team hoped it would. Last season was supposed to be a revelation for the Saints defense. They were able to get pressure on Green Bay last week, which would be a troublesome trend with the Panthers offensive line like it is.
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated Packers 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay was also noteworthy by the emergence of Mark Ingram. Tactically speaking, Ingram was the perfect piece to use against a Green Bay softish defensive front. The Panthers did not have an Ingram two weeks ago and could not take advantage in their own game against the Packers. The Panthers run defense has been here and there. They held Marshawn Lynch, another power runner, to 43 yards last week.
The ultimate Saints weapon is still quarterback Drew Brees. Brees’ options are starting to emerge. Cooks had a good game against Green Bay and tight end Jimmy Graham is healthy. Graham is a matchup problem. Neither of the Panthers safeties are a good idea, and I would hate to try and make Thomas Davis or Luke Kuechly responsible for Graham. The deep threat is also in play with Cooks. The Panthers will need all that Josh Norman can give them.
For the Panthers, this will be another Cam Newton ad-lib fest. This is the first game back for the Williams-Stewart combo, but they are still running behind a makeshift line. If the Panthers can keep the Saints to field goals and Newton can work some magic, then they can prevail. The Panthers cannot likely win a shootout against the Saints.
The winner of this game will be the leader of NFC South Division.