NFL Game Preview for October 3rd, 2010: Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

The sports betting world was not completely surprised when the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in week three 27-24 in overtime, but what hurt the Saints was the way they lost the game. New Orleans kicker Garrett Hartley, the guy that sent the Saints to the Super Bowl in overtime of last year’s NFC championship game, missed a 29-yard field goal, on first down, in overtime of week three. Needless to say that the NFL betting world was also not completely shocked when the defending world champion Saints started looking for a new kicker the Monday after the week three loss.

The Carolina Panthers tried everything to not start rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen this season. They tried limiting their offense so that season starter Matt Moore would not have to learn much, and they tried to put in some trick plays to keep the opposing defenses off guard. In the end, Moore was inconsistent as the starting quarterback and head coach John Fox finally had to turn to Clausen to start for the Panthers in week three.

The problem for the Panthers is that when the NFL scores came out for week three, Carolina had lost again. Clausen has played in two games, started one of them, and has not thrown a touchdown pass yet. He has thrown two interceptions and lost two fumbles. The kid is young, and he has a pretty pedigree coming from Notre Dame, but the Panthers are going to have to suffer his growing pains before they get a quarterback that is an NFL starter. The only question is whether or not head coach John Fox will be allowed to oversee Clausen’s development, or if this will be the last season for Fox in Carolina?

The reality of this game is that the Saints are not happy about the way the game against the Falcons ended. With that loss the Saints are 2-1 and grouped in with the other teams in the NFC South. The Saints look average, and they are not an average football team.

The NFL predictions for this game show a pounding being given on both sides of the ball by the defending Super Bowl champions, and the Panthers having very little to answer with. The Saints defense can stop the run and get after the quarterback, and the New Orleans offense is one of the best in the league. The Panthers just do not match up on either side of the ball. Add to that the anger the Saints feel about week three, and you get a freight train that the Panthers will be unable to stop.

The Panthers are rebuilding and some significant things happen when a team is rebuilding. Head coaches with tenure are on a short leash, and superstar players do not hang around very long. Panthers star wide receiver Steve Smith is signed through 2012, but he may ask for a trade if there is a season next year. Smith has been around too long to wait for Clausen and the Panthers to develop into a championship caliber team.

Pick: New Orleans Saints 42-10