This is a preview of the Carolina Panthers at the Indianapolis Colts game to be played on Sunday November 27th 2011. The Indianapolis Colts are having a terrible season without Peyton Manning and former Panthers GM Bill Polian is no longer considered a genius.
The high flying Carolina Panthers offense can score on anyone and I expect them to have a field day with the old dudes on the Colts defense. The problem is that the Carolina Panthers run defense may look Ronald Brown look like a combination of Eric Dickerson and Alan “The Horse” Ameche
Look for the Panthers to keep working more run plays into the game plan to take pressure off of Cam Newton. Also if the Panthers can run against the Colts and control the clock then that keeps Indy from running on the Panthers defense.
Cam Newton needs to settle down and dump the ball off more, Jonathan Stewart has proven to be a great check down passing option for the Carolina Panthers in 2011. Dinking and plinking can be effective in keeping the clock rolling and the Panthers defense off the field.
I hope that Brandon LaFell gets some opportunities against the Colts and I think Steve Smith will get open deep better than what the Lions allowed him to do. Once again the Panthers will be hoping for the return of Jeremy Shockey from a rib injury. The passing offense is more efficient with Shockey and Olsen playing at the same time.
On defense the Panthers need to get pressure. This is supposed to be a blitzing defense but the widespread injures to the linebacking unit has stopped that. James Anderson is having a Pro Bowl year but he needs help from the defensive line.
Charles “Big Money” Johnson is not having a great season and he needs to step up. Greg Hardy is coming on at the other end and he and Johnson have the potential to be pretty good.
Chris Gamble has quietly been having a good year and I think he will play well for the Panthers against the Colts. Safeties Charles Godfrey and Sherrod Martin will be important in helping with the run defense against Brown and company.
The Carolina Panthers special teams finally had a good game last week and I hope that continues against the Colts. I would like to see what Pilares can do on punt returns after his 101 yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Lions. Field position is so important for Cam Newton and the offense, and special teams play a big part in that.
In this preview of the Carolina Panthers at the Indianapolis Colts, I predict at Panther blowout win by the score of 35 to 21. Feel free to check me out on Twitter with this link.
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