Carolina Panthers Vs Philadelphia Eagles

The 5-0 Carolina Panthers hit the big stage tonight.  They face the 3-3 Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football on NBC.

I have consistently criticized QB Cam Newton in every blog post I’ve ever written about the Panthers.  Either I’m tired of doing that or he’s actually beginning to mature.  You know my beef against him:  arrogant, privileged, spoiled and conceited.  He’s still all those things but he’s starting to realize that there are eleven men on the field with him and the game is not the “Cam Newton Show”.

The Panthers are riding high after beating their nemesis Seattle last Sunday.  I even bragged to a blogger buddy of mine that they had softened up the Seahawks for their game against them last Thursday.  Unfortunately, the 49ers couldn’t get out of their own way and wound up losing 20-3.

Ninth all-time sack leader Jared Allen returns to the field after sitting out last week’s game with a pinched nerve.  A.J. Klein and Teddy Williams will also see action since being cleared in the concussion protocol.

Panthers’ fans are amped up.  This is the team’s best start ever since their only Super Bowl appearance in 2003.  Can they go 6-0?

The Eagles will be “spying” on Newton big time trying to keep him boxed in reducing his chances of getting loose to heave the ball downfield to his favorite receiver Greg Olsen.  The Eagles’ defense has 16 takeaways this season, second-most in the league, and they will be gunning for Newton.

The game’s going to be a tough one, but with the game starting at 8:30 PM ET, the tailgating before the game will go on longer and the crowd will be inclined to be loud.  Then there’s home field advantage.  I think the Panthers win by a touchdown.  Dare I say maybe more?

GO PANTHERS!

And since no football post would be complete without some pom-poms, here’s a photo of a true Southern beauty and Top Cat cheerleader, Madalyn.

Green Bay Packers Vs St. Louis Rams

The Rams travel to Lambeau Field today to take on the 4-0 Packers.  Kickoff is at 1:00 PM ET and the game airs on CBS.

I read with amusement that Rams’ Head Coach Jeff Fisher scared the hell out of some of his players this week during practice when he brandished an airhorn to help his defense work on not being pulled offsides by Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ hard count. 

Rodgers is notorious for luring defenders into jumping offsides and then taking advantage of a “free play” to go deep and flummoxing the opposing team.  He is, in my opinion, the most skilled QB in the NFL.  (Don’t be a hater Brady fans)

The Rams are 2-2, but last Sunday they beat the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.  Their other win so far this season was against the Seattle Seahawks.

I believe Green Bay will emerge the winner today.  Here’s why:  The Rams own the league’s worst total offense per game record, the Packers have won 11 straight home games and Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception at home in almost 3 years.

The Pack needs to stop rookie star Todd Gurley.  With a defensive line that is ranked third in the league for points allowed and yards allowed, you can check off that box.

I suspect Aaron Rodgers to take advantage of the fact that the Rams are missing Alec Ogletree, their leading tackler who suffered a broken ankle.

GO PACKERS!

And since no football post would be complete without pom-poms, here’s a photo of some enthusiastic Packers fans.  NOTE:  The Packers do not have cheerleaders so we make do.

Carolina Panthers Vs New Orleans Saints

Thirteen months ago the Saints traveled to Bank of America Stadium to butt heads with the Carolina Panthers.  They handily defeated the Panthers 28-10 to end a 7-game losing streak.  A month later the Panthers, seeking to snap their 6-game losing streak, visited the Superdome.  The Saints dug a hole for themselves and wound up losing 41-10.

Saints fans will remember the melee in the first quarter of that game that was sparked by QB Cam Newton making an ass of himself with that damned “Superman” celebration I detest.

Saints QB Drew Brees has a shoulder injury.  If he doesn’t respond to treatment he will sit out today's game and Luke McCown, the guy who pitifully muses in a Verizon commercial, “I wonder why they save those back-ups and not just put them in the regular rotation.  I bet if they just had the chance some of those back-ups would really shine,.” will be under center.  It will be McCown’s first NFL start since 2011.

The Panthers are 2-0 and the Saints are 0-2.  While the absence of Brees could give the Cats a distinct advantage, if Newton plays like he’s the only player on the field, the Saints could force him to rethink his wonder jock mentality.  The Saints’ defense could punish Newton and stretch their winning record at BOA Stadium to 5-4.

The game will be carried on FOX and kickoff begins at 1:00 PM.

GO PANTHERS!