CHARLOTTE
https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Donte-Jackson-Jersey
, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton keeps a black and yellow broom he was “gifted” by the Saints hanging in his locker, some omnipresent motivation after what happened a year ago when the Panthers met up with their NFC South rivals.New Orleans swept Carolina, winning both regular-season games in 2017 before eliminating the Panthers from the first round of the playoffs in January with a 31-26 win at the Superdome.The rematch is never far from Newton’s mind.Article continues below ...“If you need any type of boost, kind of chip on your shoulder versus (these guys) I have a constant reminder each and every day when I look in my locker,” Newton said, who will renew acquaintances Monday night with the Saints, a team he said “doesn’t like.”Newton said the broom came from the Saints, although he wouldn’t disclose which player.Newton also received a bottle of “Jordan” red wine this past offseason from nemesis Cam Jordan, the Saints dominant defensive end. Jordan had promised to send Newton some “juice” if the Saints swept the Panthers.“Disrespectful,” Newton said flatly.The broom remains in its plastic wrapper and Newton said he would like to stamp it “return to sender” if Carolina (6-7) can somehow manage to beat New Orleans twice in the next three weeks and sneak into the playoffs as a wild-card team. The Panthers currently trail the Vikings by a half-game in the battle for the second wild card spot, but are given only a 9 percent chance of making the postseason.Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said: “I know about the wine, not the broom — but whoever sent the broom is a comedic genius.”Meanwhile, the Saints (11-2) have already locked up their second straight division title and are aiming for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Rams are also 11-2
Greg Olsen Jersey
, so there’s no room for error.“They got the juice, but at the end of the day we are coming Monday with a cup for our own, too,” Newton said.“Listen, they’re a prideful group,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. “They’re well-coached and their backs are against the wall, so we’re going to get their best performance.”STIFLING STREAKThe Saints’ defense has been among the NFL’s best the past five games after looking like arguably the worst through the first three weeks of the season.A 48-40 opening-week loss to the Buccaneers and 43-37 overtime win vs. the Falcons had New Orleans ranked last in points allowed per game through the season’s first few weeks. Now, the Saints are on a five-game run of allowing 17 or fewer points, the latest being a 28-14 victory at Tampa Bay last Sunday.Linebacker Demario Davis said the transformation stems from players staying focused on their goals, learning from mistakes and trusting the coaching staff.“You want to throughout the season perfect your process and, at this point, your process should be pretty much perfected,” Davis said.JORDAN STEPPING UPJordan has been a big part of the Saints turnaround with 12 sacks.“He’s exceeded my expectations
Fozzy Whittaker Color Rush Jersey
,” Davis said of Jordan. “I knew he was one of the top pass rushers in the league, but to see firsthand the impact he has on games it’s phenomenal.”STOPPING McCAFFREYThe Saints will surely be keying on Christian McCaffrey, who has become Carolina’s all-purpose running back in the same mold that Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner once used Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.McCaffrey rarely leaves the field for Carolina, and with 926 yards rushing and 701 yards receiving, he has a legitimate shot to join Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only players in league history with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.He has also scored 12 touchdowns in the past seven games.NO SMALL BREEZEBrees has averaged 302.4 yards passing with 13 TDs and four INTs in past seven games vs. Carolina.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the key will be to get pressure on Brees up the middle, similar to what the Cowboys were able to do against the Saints a couple of weeks ago, and to not fall for his pump fakes.“We have to stay discipline,” Rivera said.INGRAM’S MARKRunning back Mark Ingram can make his mark on the Saints’ franchise record books with one more touchdown run. He has 49 for his career, tying him with Deuce McAllister.McAllister is still around team headquarters often. He is a color commentator on radio broadcasts of Saints games. Ingram has referred to McAllister as a mentor and Saints second-year running back Alvin Kamara said it’s apparent that McAllister wants Ingram to break his record, which has stood for a decade.“When the team has success, individual accolades will follow,” Kamara said. “So that’s just a testament to him
Rashaan Gaulden Jersey
, not focusing on him, but focusing on the team and what helps the team get better and be successful.” Aaron Rodgers is good enough to not need many breaks. When he gets one, he usually takes advantage.But Panthers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy got a huge run-stop on the last play of the first half, allowing the Panthers to keep the Packers’ margin at 14-10.The dramatic drive started when Rodgers got up from a sketchy roughing the passer call in the end zone. McCoy was called for the penalty, for landing with his body weight on the quarterback. But he didn’t, rolling as he fell and landing on his elbow.Rodgers actually caught the penalty flag as it was thrown, and it appeared it might have been for grounding in the end zone. Then he started throwing things to others. He hit a wide-open Jimmy Graham for a 48-yard catch-and-run, after baiting Luke Kuechly into covering something that wasn’t there.That’s when things got weird. An apparent touchdown to Graham was overturned on review, and a pass interference on the Panthers in the end zone gave the Packers the ball at the 1.But after a lengthy debate about kicking or running an offensive play, Rodgers handed off to Jamaal Williams, who was swallowed by McCoy (not literally) behind the line of scrimmage.It was a significant stop for the Panthers’ defense at a time they needed it.Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen helped them with another fumble (his fifth lost this season), which the Packers turned into Aaron Jones‘ second touchdown of the day earlier in the second quarter.
|
Login
Registration
Slovak
