Carolina Panthers defeat New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers showed one last surge of life today to defeat the New Orleans Saints by a score of 31-21. The Panthers finished the season with a .500 record, 8-8 and got the final win they needed to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, since the New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins last night, it will be the Giants representing the NFC Wildcard in the playoffs as opposed to the Panthers. Panthers Tickets will be available shortly for the 2007 season through Stubhub.com.
The tragic thing about this game was that the Panthers went into it knowing the outcome was meaningless. Their fate already determined, you have to hand it to the Panthers who went out there and played their hearts out in a convincing win against the playoff-bound Saints. The Panthers did finish the season with a 5-1 record against other NFC South teams and swept the Saints this season. Jake Delhomme threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns but it was too little, too late for the Panthers. The Saints, having already clinched the Number 2 seed, played their bench players for much of the game rather than risk injury. Now that it is all said and done, the Panthers will likely start looking for answers to the questions they should have been asking back in April.
Panthers Close with Win over Saints
The Panthers ended their disappointing 2006 season with a record of 8-8 after a win over the New Orleans Saints. Although the Saints had nothing to gain by playing to win, it was a close game, ending up with a score of 31-21. The Panthers were led by QB Jake Delhomme, who completed 23 of 27 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Both of these touchdown passes went to superstar WR Steve Smith.
The Panthers will probably look back on this season with a theme of “what might have been.” They were a talented team that had a lot of injuries and lost more than a few games they should’ve won. Regardless, Panthers tickets for next season will be in high demand, and StubHub is the place to go to find them.
Panthers Get Early Start on Next Season
The Panthers may be eliminated from the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean that the front office isn’t still hard at work building the team for next year. The Panthers beat the NFL’s deadline for placing deals on this year’s salary cap by signing two players, Nick Goings and Jeremy Bridges, to contract extensions.
Goings has long been a valuable backup and spot starter in the backfield, and keeping him around at a reasonable price will add stability to an offense that needs it. Bridges was also a valuable part of this year’s team, as injuries forced him to start 13 games at tackle, where he acquitted himself quite well.
It’s never too early to start thinking about Panthers tickets, as the team is already building for the future.
Panthers’ Defense Receives Scrutiny
Now that it looks like the Panthers won’t be part of the NFC playoff field, local columnists have begun to take an introspective look at the team, and the first salvo seems to have been fired before the team plays its final game. In a piece printed in the Charlotte Observer today, writer Pat Yasinskas closely analyzes the Panthers’ defense.
The Panthers have a strong defensive reputation around the NFL, and as the piece points out, Carolina does rank 9th in total defense, but that could be merely a mirage. The Panthers have suffered through several injuries, most notably to stalwarts DT Kris Jenkins, who’s now missed most of the past two seasons, and MLB Dan Morgan, who has also had his share of injuries during his career.
Overall, the Panthers don’t need to completely rebuild a defense, but age, injury and salary cap considerations will all play a factor in who will line up with the starting 11 in 2007. Of course, you won’t have the same questions to answer when you look for Panthers tickets for next season. The answer to that question is always the same - StubHub.com.
Delhomme Expected to Play vs. Saints
Although Chris Weinke finally ended one of the most ignonimous losing streaks in NFL history when he finally won a start last week against the Falcons, it appears that he’ll be able to quit while he’s ahead. Jake Delhomme is expected to return to the lineup against the Saints this weekend.
Delhomme has missed the last three games after suffering ligament damage to his thumb in a game against the Eagles, and his return could provide a boost to the team as it hangs onto its playoff hopes by the slimmest of margins. However, that slim margin could actually turn into reality, as any of the teams the Panthers need to lose very well could this weekend, and the Saints have nothing to play for, as they’re locked into their playoff seeding.
Of course, if you’d like to see the game, just go to StubHub.com and pick out your choice of Panthers tickets.
Keyshawn Sounds Off
Keyshawn Johnson has long been known for a few things above all others. He’s a very good receiver, and has some of the best hands in the NFL. He’s a big, strong guy who’s also known for his aggressive blocking and overall physical style of play. He’s also a guy who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
Keyshawn spoke his mind again today in a Charlotte newspaper, stating that the Panthers’ disappointing season may be partly a result of some team members “buying into the hype” that had the Panthers as favorites in the NFC. Whether these statements have a negative effect on the Panthers’ game against New Orleans remains to be seen, but overall, players speaking their minds in the media is not a good thing.
Coach John Fox has had to deal with several injuries, and it’s a credit to him that the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt, but if playoff tickets are going to be available for Panthers fans, they will have to travel and several games this weekend will have to fall in their favor.
Carolina Panthers will use DeAngelo Shuffle
Should we expect to see the DeAngelo shuffle in this weekend’s game against the New Orleans Saints? The Carolina Panthers had the worst third-down conversion rate going into last weekend’s game. So, they pulled a “sleeper move” and snapped the ball to running back DeAngelo Williams eight times. Seven out of those eight times, Williams ran the ball for a first time. So the trick worked. And given that the Panthers may as of yet have a shot at making it to the playoffs, you better believe they’ll try the move again when they take on the Saints on Sunday.
In order for the move to be effective, Williams needs to warm up to the idea of passing the ball. That way he’ll be able to keep the Saints guessing and hopefully, tripping over themselves in an attempt to stop him. Passing the ball is something Williams is not opposed to. “I’ve got an arm,” he said. “I’ve got to warm up though.” With Jake Delhomme back in the lineup for the season finale, the Panthers may still have a shot at making the post season. They just better play like it.
Are Any Panthers Playing or Coaching for their Jobs Sunday?
Coming into the 2006 NFL season, the Panthers were the trendy choice to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. There were several reasons for this notion. The Panthers have been there recently, they have a veteran and talented team, a fearsome defense and a QB who has a knack for pulling out wins.
However, the season didn’t play out that way, as the Panthers need a win and a lot of help to even qualify for the last playoff spot in the NFC. Generally, this has to be considered a disappointment, and there are several reasons for the Panthers’ record. Local bloggers have been following the team, and it’s getting somewhat nasty in Charlotte.
Players who could be playing for their long-term future include Mike Rucker, Jake Delhomme and others, but it says here that John Fox should be safe - he’s had too much success with the team, and dismissing him would be a big mistake.
Carolina Panthers Playoff Chances Remain Alive
Despite a season of disappointments, the Carolina Panthers still have a prayer of making the playoffs. The Panthers will travel to New Orleans this weekend to take on the New Orleans Saints. In a game of do-or-die, the Panthers can clinch a wildcard spot to the playoffs with a win – and assuming a few other games go their way.
The other news is that Jake Delhomme has been upgraded to probable for this weekend’s game after missing the last three to a thumb injury. The challenge for the Panthers is to overcome their NFL’s worst third-down conversion rate. The Panthers seemed to find a solution last weekend, snapping the ball directly to DeAngelo Williams who would then run the ball. The tactic worked seven times in eight attempts. When asked if the Panthers might try the same thing this weekend, Jake Delhomme said, Hey, this week if we can run the ball 50-something times and throw it seven and come out with a win, I promise I’ll be the one with the biggest smile in the locker room.”
But here is what has to happen in order for the Carolina Panthers to go to the playoffs.
Washington must beat the New York Giants on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Carolina must beat New Orleans on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Chicago must beat Green Bay on Sunday at 8:15 p.m
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers managed to break out of their losing slump this weekend, winning 10-3 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers ran the ball an astounding 52 times, following a mantra of “run the ball, run the ball, run the ball.” In fact, the Panthers ran the ball 12 times before ever calling a passing play. The strategy worked, as the Panthers managed to eat up the clock and pull off a win against a Falcons squad that has also had a disappointing season. The Panthers will take on the New Orleans Saints in their regular season finale this weekend.
This was truly the first intriguing game all season says Sam Perkins for Most Valuable Network. With Jake Delhomme still injured, Chris Weinke picked up his first win though the Panthers made it clear that he is only their quarterback out of necessity, not choice. The Panthers played some old-school football, pounding the Falcons defense with a relentless running game. Heck, the Panthers offense lined-up several times in goal-line formation and had DeAngelo Williams receive the snap. While it is still possible for the Panthers to make the playoffs, the odds are stacked against the Panthers at this point.