Now that the Panthers have shown that they can again play with the big boys after busting up Arizona 34-21, they now get the most difficult assignment in the NFL. Next up are the undefeated New Orleans Saints, who feature the number-one ranked offense in the league, while averaging 39 points per game. Unlike last year's Saints, this year's edition features a strong running game and much-improved defense. But of course it all begins with the potential league MVP in quarterback Drew Brees, who is the most accurate passer in the game.
Despite the staggering challenge, the Panthers have a punchers' chance based on their performance against the Cardinals. They did an excellent job of limiting quarterback Kurt Warner with a swarming defense that created six takeaways. By running the ball for 270 yards, the Panthers controlled the game and the clock in further frustrating Arizona. No team can be (+6) on turnovers every week, but if the Panthers can apply pressure to Brees and knock him around a bit, while filling the passing lanes, they will have an opportunity to pull the upset. Don't forget, the Panthers were the last team to beat New Orleans, 33-31 in last year's regular season finale.
On to college football, where the BCS may be in trouble with the likes of Boise State and TCU still undefeated. Currently, TCU is the highest ranked of these non-BCS teams and would be the only one to get into one of the major bowls. The same thing happened to Boise State last year when they went undefeated, but Utah was ranked higher. It's ridiculous to guarantee spots for conferences that are having down years, when other teams potentially could run the table and have a chance to play in a BCS bowl game. As Jim Mora would say, "playoffs?"
I am not anti-New York Yankees. They did what is allowed within the flawed system of Major League Baseball and spent what it took to give themselves a chance to win another World Series. I even understand from a marketing standpoint why MLB would like to see the table slanted in favor Boston, New York, Los Angeles, etc to create marquee matchups and sustain rivalries in the games that matter most. But as a Cleveland Indians fan, the post-season was unwatchable with Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia leading their big market teams while the small markets are left to pick up the crumbs. And yes, Cleveland plays in the winnable AL Central with the likes of Detroit and Kansas City, but the opportunity for teams such as the Royals, Pirates, etc to sustain success does not exist since they can not afford to hang on to their corp of top players for even a short period of time. Like the BCS, nothing will change soon, if ever as the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to widen.
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