Welcome to another exciting week of NFL action.  Let’s preview an NFC South rivalry game between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.

5:25 PM PT	NBC	CAR -3.5
Saints (4-5, 2-2 away) 4-5
Panthers (3-6, 2-3 Home)

How New Orleans Wins:  Drew Brees continues to be his usual self and keep the Saints offense in games.  His counterpart Cam Newton practically threw away the game last week against the Chiefs, so as long as that Saints D goes out there and forces turnovers they should win this contest.  Running the ball with Mark Ingram should also help this ball club.

How Carolina Wins:  The Broncos were able to beat the Saints last week because of poor defense and even worse special teams.  Carolina needs to take advantage in this bounce-back game or else their run of three straight postseason appearances is going to be in jeopardy.  Newton can’t do too much, and Carolina needs to just pound the rock and play smash-mouth football.

The Bottom Line:  I lose more and more faith in the Panthers every week.  I’m starting to get the feeling that a Super Bowl hangover has struck this Carolina squad and they’re in too deep to get out of it.  Saints win, Panthers dig an even deeper hole that they can’t get out of.

I am 87-58-2 on the year.  Falcons, Broncos, Jets, and Chargers all have byes this week.

Seahawks over Eagles

Patriots over 49ers

Rams over Dolphins

Cardinals over Vikings

Chiefs over Buccaneers

Steelers over Browns

Cowboys over Ravens

Bills over Bengals

Lions over Jaguars

Giants over Bears

Titans over Colts

I will have the Primetime Preview of Packers/Redskins, and Texans/Raiders later this week.