Saints at Panthers 1 p.m., Sunday, FOX (Ch. 18)

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Saints march in on a high note

By David Scott
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
Contract Photographer

Drew Brees has thrown for 1,993 yards through six games. He topped 4,400 yards each of the past two seasons and has thrown at least 24 touchdown passes the past four seasons. MARVIN GENTRY – U.S. PRESSWIRE

THIS WEEK: New Orleans Saints (3-3)

LAST WEEK: Beat the Oakland Raiders 34-3

WHAT WENT RIGHT

They got to play the Raiders.

The Saints defense was stout, holding Oakland running backs Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush to 74 yards. Overall, New Orleans limited the Raiders to 226 yards.

Quarterback Drew Brees was nearly perfect, completing 26-of-30 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns.

WHAT WENT WRONG

They got off to a slow start – falling behind 3-0 in the first quarter on a 24-yard field goal by Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski – and didn't score until the 3-minute, 45-second mark of the second quarter.

3 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Running back Reggie Bush: He hasn't shown that he's an every-down rusher yet, but he can still break a game open in other ways. Bush returned two punts for touchdowns against Minnesota two weeks ago and he reached the 200-reception plateau in his 34th game Sunday – tied for fastest in league history.

Quarterback Drew Brees: He leads the NFL in completions (159) and yards (1,993) and is second in attempts (224), completion percentage (71.0) and average gain (8.9).

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma: He had a season-high 11 tackles against the Raiders and is second in the league in that department (56).

BY THE NUMBERS

1 League rank in passing offense (324.7 yards per game).

1 League rank in punt returns (25.4).

61.5 Field-goals made percentage (Martin Gramatica 6-of-10; Taylor Mehlhaff 2-of-3), last in the NFL.

OBSERVATIONS

The Saints are hanging tough in the NFC South without injured tight end Jeremy Shockey (sports hernia) and receiver Marques Colston (thumb). Their status for Sunday is uncertain.

How easy could New Orleans be 6-0? The Saints' three losses have come by a total of 10 points.

This will be easily the biggest test of the season for the Panthers' secondary. Brees makes all the throws and Bush is dangerous from anywhere. Imagine how potent the Saints will be when Shockey and Colston return.

THE SERIES

Panthers lead 14-12. Carolina has won four of the past five, although the Saints won 31-6 in Bank of America Stadium in the most recent meeting. New Orleans took advantage of four Panthers turnovers in that one.

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