Panthers Climb to 5-2 With Easy Stretch Ahead

The ever confusing Carolina Panthers continued an up and down (but mostly up) season on Sunday by clobbering the New Orleans Saints 30-7. The Saints had entered the game as the best offense in the country, with Drew Brees drawing discussion of possibly breaking Dan Marino's single-season passing record. But, he hadn't played against Carolina's defense.

After playing their worst game this year in a lopsided loss to Tampa Bay last week, the Panthers' D stepped it back up for New Orleans. Brees was held to 231 yards on 39 attempts without a score and was picked off. Julius Peppers, probably the most talented and most frustrating defensive player in football, had one of his good games. Peppers recorded three tackles, including a sack, and also forced a game-changing fumble.

It was Jeremy Shockey who was stripped by Peppers in the second quarter with the Saints clinging to a 7-3 lead and driving again to what appeared to be a damaging score to Carolina's hopes. The Panthers recovered, and New Orleans never seriously threatened to win afterwards. Of course, Reggie Bush being injured, and having to leave the game just before halftime probably didn't help the Saints' cause. Bush will miss a month and is evidently having arthroscopic knee surgery.

Carolina's offense has continued to do enough to win the game. They once again didn't play overly dominating football on Sunday, getting outgained by the Saints 343-336, but they punched in the two key turnovers for touchdowns, crippling New Orleans. Jake Delhomme had probably his best end-to-end game thus far this year, though he threw for only 195 yards. Delhomme was in control throughout and made plays when they were needed. He also got the ball to his favorite target, the great Steve Smith, who put up his 24th 100-yard performance of his career with 122 yards and a touchdown.

There is no telling what the Panthers are capable of doing. Carolina is, unlike past years, getting it done at home. They are 4-0 at Bank of America Stadium and with the exception of the first half of the Bears game, have largely dominated all four games. They are 1-2 on the road, but could easily be 2-1 without a fumble at Minnesota that the Vikings used to turn that game around.

There is no mystery, though, as to Carolina's next three opponents. They are weak. The Panthers host Arizona next week, who will either be without Anquan Boldin or with a steel-plates-in-his-jaw Boldin. Either way, Carolina appears to be on the advantage. After their bye week, the Panthers take to the road to face Oakland and Detroit. That schedule seems to line up for three wins, which would put Carolina at 8-2 and solidly in the discussion among the best teams in the league.

There's a lot to discern yet about the Carolina Panthers, but no matter what, it appears this team is not the mediocre team it appeared to be two months ago.