Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. New Orleans 34 at Carolina 24 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW New Orleans Saints: QB Aaron Brooks played just well enough to win this game but didn't help many fantasy teams, throwing for 259 yards and only 1 touchdown with 26 yards rushing. This is a case where the score wasn't an indication of offensive effectiveness. RB: One Saint that played at full speed was Deuce McAllister. His 104 total yards and two impressive touchdown runs were exactly what the Saints needed from him. Outstanding game. WR: Dont�' Stallworth appeared healthy and was a major part of the Saints passing game. He caught only 3 balls but one was a great 38 yarder that set up his own 7 yard touchdown reception. Carolina Panthers: QB Rodney Peete's first outing back from injury was impressive. He completed 23 of his 40 passes for 310 yards and had more completions except for 3 drops. His interception was not his fault but the result of the drop of a catchable ball by Muhammad. His presence definitely increases the value of all of the Panther offensive players. RB Lamar Smith was held in check most of the day and had several carries for negative yards. He did show power and determination at the goal line and scored on a 1 yard carry. Dee Brown spelled Lamar Smith more than usual and averaged 5.7 yards per carry on his 3 rushes. Brown definitely appears poised to vulture touches from Smith. WR Muhsin Muhammad had a hot and cold game. He caught 4 passes for 112 yards including one spectacular catch on a tipped ball while he was falling down for a 40 yard reception that lead to a Carolina touchdown. He also dropped 2 passes including one that he tipped in the air and was intercepted by the Saints. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW New Orleans Saints QB: Aaron Brooks played just well enough to win this game but didn't help many fantasy teams, throwing for 259 yards and only 1 touchdown with 26 yards rushing. Brooks and the Saints offense looked rather lax most of the day and prior to their 10 play 95 yard drive in the 4th quarter to score the go-ahead touchdown they had scored on just 1 of their last 8 possessions. This is a case where the score wasn't an indication of offensive effectiveness. RB: One Saint that played at full speed was Deuce McAllister. His 104 total yards and two impressive touchdown runs were exactly what the Saints needed from him. His first red zone carry resulted in a monster 20 yard run that showcased his explosiveness through the line, his speed, and his power. He ran right over free safety Deon Grant. His second touchdown he scampered in untouched on a sweep. WR: Joe Horn accounted for 101 of the Saints receiving yardage but failed to score despite twice being red zone target. Dont�' Stallworth appeared healthy and was a major part of the Saints passing game. He caught only 3 balls but one was a great 38 yarder that set up his own 7 yard touchdown reception. Jerome Pathon got the first red zone look from Brooks but had only 3 receptions for 32 yards. TE: Boo Williams and David Sloan are not major targets in this offense combining for just 3 catches for 22 yards. Brooks definitely looks to dump the ball off to McAllister before looking at the tight ends. Saint Pass Defense: Dale Carter made his first start of the year for the Saints back from his suspension. He showed his worth early by displaying blanket coverage on Muhsin Muhammad. The Saint defense still showed a tendency to give up the big passing play giving the Panthers several big 2nd half plays. They did get a sack and fumble recovery for a touchdown on the final play of the game. Saint Rush Defense: The Saints stifled the Panther rushing attack most of the game. They allowed only 1.2 yards per carry in the first half and took away the run which was what the Panthers hoped to do against them. They gave up only 100 total rushing yards with 59 of those coming on a run by Lamar Smith. Saint Special Teams: Michael Lewis was impressive on his punt returns. He was held out of the end zone on his first two punt returns by punter Todd Sauerbrun. It's just a matter of time before he breaks one for a touchdown. John Carney was perfect with 2/2 field goals and 4/4 in extra points. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Carolina Panthers QB: Rodney Peete's first outing back from injury was impressive. He completed 23 of his 40 passes for 310 yards and would've had more completions except for 3 drops. His interception was not his fault but the result of the drop of a catchable ball by Muhammad. His presence definitely increases the value of all of the Panther offensive players. RB: Lamar Smith was held in check most of the day and had several carries for negative yards. His lone long run of 59 yards should have resulted in a touchdown but Smith looked slow and was caught from behind. The Panthers then had to settle for a field goal. He did show power and determination at the goal line and scored on a 1 yard carry. Dee Brown spelled Lamar Smith more than usual and averaged 5.7 yards per carry on his 3 rushes. He also caught 3 passes for 9 yards, while Smith caught 4 passes for 17 yards. Brown definitely appears poised to vulture touches from Smith. WR: Muhsin Muhammad had a hot and cold game. He caught 4 passes for 112 yards including one spectacular catch on a tipped ball while he was falling down for a 40 yard reception that lead to a Carolina touchdown. He also dropped 2 passes including one that he tipped in the air and was intercepted by the Saints. Steve Smith was involved in the passing game catching 4 passes for 68 yards including a 21 yard catch that could have been intercepted but Smith ripped the ball away from the defender. TE: Peete completed 5 passes on the day to tight ends but 2 of them went for touchdowns and another was a 35 yard strike to the 1 yard line. They were a red zone target as Jermaine Wiggins caught his only pass for a 3 yard touchdown and Wesley Walls grabbed a 15 yard TD. It remains unclear who if anyone would emerge as a favorite target by Rodney Peete. Panther Pass Defense: Julius Peppers affected the Saint passing game with an impressive game that won't show up in the statistics. In the first quarter he pressured Brooks into missing a wide open Joe Horn in the end zone. He had one sack and had another nullified by a defensive holding penalty. Panther Rush Defense: Played an inspired game holding McAllister and Brooks to just 97 total rushing yards.