New Orleans Saints take on Carolina Panthers – NFL Week 17 Preview
New Orleans Saints are getting ready to host Carolina Panthers in Week 17 game on Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA.
Saints had a bad start to the season with three consecutive losses, and they might not be able to play in the postseason.
Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton said:
“The first four games was tough, but when you look at us the last seven games, we played great defense."
Saints won their last game against Dallas Cowboys in overtime, 34-31. Their strong defence gave tough time to Cowboys.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was sacked twice in the game and was forced by opposing defence to throw a fumble in the game.
Saints started their score when running back Mark Ingram rushed for 9 yards towards the end zone.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees performed amazingly well throughout the game. He threw three touchdown passes to wide receiver Lance Moore (6 yards), running back Pierre Thomas (5 yards) and tight end David Thomas (3 yards) in second, third and fourth quarters
respectively.
Brees completed 37 of 53 passes for 446 yards in the game. He has the most touchdowns (39) and yards (4,781) in the 2012 season.
Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said:
"There's two types of Super Bowl winners: Those that win and those that win one. And our goal is to win two and we're working toward that goal right now."
Saints have won seven and lost eight games in the season, and they are standing at second position in National Football Conference (NFC) South.
On the other hand, Panthers have won six and lost nine games in the season, and they are ranked third in NFC South.
They have gone through ups and downs in the season. Nevertheless their last three wins have helped them stabilising their position in the division.
Panthers won their last game against Oakland Raiders by 17-6. Their defence performed really well in stopping Raiders offence to score.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton played a vital role in winning this game. He threw a 23-yard pass to Steve Smith, who scored a touchdown in first quarter.
Newton also rushed for 3 yards to score a touchdown in the second quarter. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 170 yards with an interception.
Talking about their overall performance in this season, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said:
"I think we're doing some really good things and I like the way the guys have stayed focused. That is very gratifying for a coach knowing that they're hearing the messages the coaches are sending. I appreciate their focus to the details of preparing. We
have done a lot of good things."
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