Pats have more experience in this situation, and I feel the scheming edge goes to Belicheck. Both teams play with a ton of character. Panthers are playing game in honor of Mark Fields and Sam Mills (I've met him and he is a quality man) who are both battling cancer. New England has played a much tougher schedule than Carolina.
Panther O vs Pats D
Pats should be able to keep the running game of the Panthers somewhat in check. Davis may bruise for some yards, but Foster should be held down. Panthers should run a ton unless they fall behind by multiple scores.
Panthers have played much better offensively since the emergence of a healthy Mushin Muhamed. Smith and a healthy Muhamed are a perfect complimentary set of WR. Smith is ultra quick and explosive, and Muhamed is big, strong and physical.
Pats secondary very physical and very well coached, corners are kicking a$$. I feel Poole/Law vs Muhamed/Smith is the KEY matchup in deciding the winner of the game aside from the OL vs DL matchups both ways. Panthers love to throw WR screen to S. Smith at the line of scrimmage. Ty Law is a great open field tackler--- I have seen him do a great job shutting down that play.
Delhomme takes good care of the ball; However, if Pats CB's lock up the wideouts, front 7 should be able to hit Jake possibly creating turnovers.
Pats D facing a less explosive O than they did vs. Indy last week albeit away from home where they have not played as well.
Punting/Kicking game very good.
I think Panthers will not move the ball very well, but a good punting day could keep Pats from the all-important field position advantage.
PATS O vs Panther D
The Pats short passing game should be effective enough to move the chains and the clock all the while keeping Panthers front line off of Brady. Brady has a good TE and several solid receivers. Loss of Woody has yet to hurt their pass blocking----0 sacks allowed.
Brady is a good field general and making quick decisions vs the Panther pass rush will go a long way in deciding the outcome of the game.
Pats running game may emerge as a factor off of the short passing game. Faulk and Smith are the less talented of the 2 backfields, but they are a nice complimentary tandem.
Panthers D will facing a stiffer test than last game in Philly although Brady is a stationary target compared to McNabb.
Punter is poor. Vinatieri is a very good clutch kicker
Pats O has stalled in the red zone, so Vinatieri should be busy as usual due to Pats ability to move ball between the 20's.
Panther O vs Pats D
Pats should be able to keep the running game of the Panthers somewhat in check. Davis may bruise for some yards, but Foster should be held down. Panthers should run a ton unless they fall behind by multiple scores.
Panthers have played much better offensively since the emergence of a healthy Mushin Muhamed. Smith and a healthy Muhamed are a perfect complimentary set of WR. Smith is ultra quick and explosive, and Muhamed is big, strong and physical.
Pats secondary very physical and very well coached, corners are kicking a$$. I feel Poole/Law vs Muhamed/Smith is the KEY matchup in deciding the winner of the game aside from the OL vs DL matchups both ways. Panthers love to throw WR screen to S. Smith at the line of scrimmage. Ty Law is a great open field tackler--- I have seen him do a great job shutting down that play.
Delhomme takes good care of the ball; However, if Pats CB's lock up the wideouts, front 7 should be able to hit Jake possibly creating turnovers.
Pats D facing a less explosive O than they did vs. Indy last week albeit away from home where they have not played as well.
Punting/Kicking game very good.
I think Panthers will not move the ball very well, but a good punting day could keep Pats from the all-important field position advantage.
PATS O vs Panther D
The Pats short passing game should be effective enough to move the chains and the clock all the while keeping Panthers front line off of Brady. Brady has a good TE and several solid receivers. Loss of Woody has yet to hurt their pass blocking----0 sacks allowed.
Brady is a good field general and making quick decisions vs the Panther pass rush will go a long way in deciding the outcome of the game.
Pats running game may emerge as a factor off of the short passing game. Faulk and Smith are the less talented of the 2 backfields, but they are a nice complimentary tandem.
Panthers D will facing a stiffer test than last game in Philly although Brady is a stationary target compared to McNabb.
Punter is poor. Vinatieri is a very good clutch kicker
Pats O has stalled in the red zone, so Vinatieri should be busy as usual due to Pats ability to move ball between the 20's.
