Thanks for checking out my preview of the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. In this preview I will give the keys for the Panthers to defeat the Saints.

The biggest key for the Panthers to beat the Saints is for Carolina to limit penalties and turnovers. So far this season the Panthers have been in every game but tend to stall in the “Red Zone” or commit a penalty. The Panthers need to limit the mistakes against this Saints team that can outscore anyone.

The running game looked better against the Bears last week and needs to against the Saints as well. The more time the ball is in Cam Newton’s hands and not Drew Brees, the better for Carolina.

Darren Sproles scares the heck out of me both as a runner and a returner. The Panthers struggle to stop the run and also returns on special teams. Jermale Hines and Antwan Applewhite were added to the roster mostly to help special teams. Sean Considine and George Selvie were released to make room.

The Panthers currently rank third in total offense and also in passing but 17^th in rushing the ball. The Panthers defense ranks 14^th in yards given up per game. Unfortunately the Panthers rank 31^st in run defense but do rank sixth in passing defense despite all the injuries.

Carolinawill welcome Chris Gamble back from a concussion but may lose Jeremy Shockey to the same condition for the Saints game. Other than that the Panthers are fairly healthy heading into this game.

The Panthers staff must try to slow the game down for Cam Newton. Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams will be showing all kinds of fake looks to try to confuse the rookie quarterback. I do think the Panthers offense will be able to move the ball against the Saints.

The Saints offense under Drew Brees will be trying to run more to take advantage of the young defensive line of Carolina. The fact that Thomas Davis and Jon Beason are out for the year isn’t helping the suspect run defense.

To sum up my preview of the New Orleans Saints at the Carolina Panthers game, I expect a shootout! Steve Smith has found the fountain of youth and is the best receiver in the game for either team. I expect him to produce in a huge way but I fear the Saints offense will be too much this week.

This is a preview of the Bears and Panthers game that will be played on Sunday October 2^nd in Chicago. The 1-2 Panthers will travel to the Windy City to take on the 1-2 Chicago Bears.

Here is a team stat comparison for the Panthers vs. the Bears game according to NFL.com. The Carolina Panthers are seventh in the league in yards gained, fourth in passing and 24^th in rushing yards. The Panthers defense ranks 17^th in total yards given up, 25^th in rushing defense and 14^th in passing yards given up.

The Chicago Bears rank 23^rd in total yards gained, 17^th in passing yards and 31^st in rushing yards gained. The Bears defense ranks 25^th in total yards given up, 18^th in rushing defense and 26^th in passing yards defense.

The Panthers and Bears will be playing some old friends as Chris “Hitman” Harris and Julius Peppers of the Bears used to be Carolina Panthers. Greg Olsen the Panthers tight end was acquired from the Bears in a trade shortly before the season started.

For the Panthers to beat the Bears Cam Newton must rediscover the accuracy he showed against Green Bay and Arizona. Cam didn’t turn the ball over against Jacksonville but he was largely wild on his passes until the final drive.

The Bears defense has some age on it and Cam and company can pass on them if they can keep Julius Peppers out of their backfield. Panthers fans must hope the old Julius that takes games off shows up. But players tend to have good games against their former teams.

The Panthers MUST contain Devin Hester on returns and in the passing game. If the Bears get a big play from Hester it will drive the home crowd crazy and hurt the Panthers chance of winning.

DeAngelo Williams caught a lot of grief this week from Panthers fans and he needs to have a good game. Jonathan Stewart is having a good season and I hope to see him get the ball more this week against the Bears.

The Panthers need to get healthy and stay healthy to beat the Bears on Sunday. Charles Godfrey is expected back but Jeff Otah and Chris Gamble have missed practice time this week with injuries.

Look for James Anderson to have a big game and he will be needed to help contain Matt Forte. The Bears under Mike Martz like to throw the ball all over the yard but no NFL team will ignore the run completely.

I think the Panthers match up well with the Bears and now know they can win games. This team plays to the level of their competition and this game should go down to the wire.

Want to test you knowledge of the Carolina Panthers? Read on for my Carolina Panthers trivia. This is NOT a contest with a prize; this is simply some trivia for fans of the Carolina Panthers. For the answers to these Carolina Panthers trivia questions check the  section below. Good luck and let me know how you did.

1 Who was the first head coach of the Carolina Panthers?

2 Who did the Panthers beat for the first win in franchise history?

3 This running back rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Panthers in 1996.

4 This running back led the Panthers in rushing twice but was tragically shot and killed by his wife.

5 This Carolina Panther wide receiver set the record for the longest pass reception in a Super Bowl.

6 This Carolina Panther had the nickname “He Hate Me”

7 These two men one a former Panther offensive lineman and the other a former Panther defensive lineman had a radio show on WFNZ.

8 The Carolina Panthers have had three Heisman Trophy Winning Quarterbacks. Who are they?

9 What college did Brad Hoover attend?

10 Where did the Carolina Panthers play their home games during their first season?

Answers

1 Dom Capers

2 On December 17^th 1995 the Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 21 to 17 for the first win in franchise history.

3 Anthony Johnson ran for 1,120 yards in 1996

4 Fred Lane

5 Muhsin Muhammad

6 Rod Smart

7 Frank Garcia and Brenston Buckner

8 Vinnie Testaverde, Chris Weinke and Cam Newton

9 Western Carolina

10 Clemson

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers travel to Arizona on Sunday to take on the Cardinals in the 2011 season opener. This will of course be Cam Newton’s first start in a regular season game as the Panthers quarterback.

Look for the Panthers to try to establish the running game against the Cardinals to take as much pressure off of Cam Newton as they can. What I like about the new offense is their emphasis on the tight end. Rookie quarterbacks tend to like tight ends anyway as they are a good safety outlet. With Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey, Cam Newton has some good targets.

I don’t expect Cam Newton to throw a lot of passes in his NFL debut against Arizona, unless the Panthers get behind. The Panthers will want Newton to take it easy and build up his confidence.

One thing to look for is Steve Smith on broken plays. Cam Newton throws well on the run and if he takes off but throws, Smith could be the target. Steve Smith is excellent at freelancing and getting open when a play breaks down. And Newton seems more inclined to throw when possible instead of just taking off on a run.

One bit of good news for Panthers fans is that Jon Beason is expected to play against the Arizona Cardinals. It was thought Beason may miss some regular season games after having foot surgery recently, but he is a fast healer.

Beason, James Anderson and Thomas Davis make up one of the best linebacking units in the NFL. I expect them to make some big plays in the Arizona game if the defensive line can keep the guards off of them.

The big news for the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason was the acquisition of quarterback Kevin Kolb from the Eagles. Kolb was the heir apparent to Donovan McNabb at one point before being beaten out by Michael Vick.

I am not sold on Kevin Kolb but having Larry Fitzgerald on your team can make any quarterback look good. The Cardinals were thin at running back but recently added former Bear and Viking Chester Taylor to back up Beanie Wells.

The Cardinals defense is maybe a tad underrated and has to be improved with the addition of rookie Patrick Peterson who will solidify the secondary. Former Carolina Panther Richard Marshall looks to be in the nickel defense against his old team.

Another former Carolina Panther turned Arizona Cardinal is tight end Jeff King an excellent blocker. King will be backing up long time Baltimore Raven Todd Heap. King may be important as the Cardinals will try to run the ball against Carolina to set up the pass.

If the Cardinals are successful in their running the ball then Kolb and Fitzgerald could have a big day. Chris Gamble will be locked up on Fitzgerald and often in single coverage when the Panthers blitz.To sum up my breakdown of the Panthers at the Cardinals game, I expect it to be a close one. With Carolina’s running game and if Cam continues to not turn the ball over, I don’t see Arizona running away with it. If you want to chime in about Cam Newton’s first NFL start then please leave a comment below.

Geoff Hangartner has rejoined the Carolina Panthers after having been let go by the Buffalo Bills. I would not be shocked to see Hangartner start against Arizona Cardinals at right guard.

Hangartner is a utility type offensive lineman best suited to guard and he has started games in the past for the Carolina Panthers. Geoff played in Carolina from 2005 to 2008 before joining the Buffalo Bills.

With all the injuries the team has faced Hangartner will help to solidify the offensive line and replace Williams and Schwartz who have been hurt at guard. Hangartner will possibly back up Max Jean-Giles a former Eagle who was also signed recently. I feel that Handgartner’s past relationship with the Carolina offensive line may give him the advantage though.

Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams and company will be glad if either one of the two pickups are able to play well right away. The skill positions of the Carolina Panthers are ok if the linemen can help them out against Arizona.

Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison who was recently brought in failed his physical which left the team a roster spot. I am a little surprised that the team is standing pat at cornerback with players like Lito Sheppard out there. I still think the Panthers may make a move at that position before too much longer.