Smitty's Back, Which Can't Be Good for Minnesota

The Panthers, who are off to an unbelievable 2-0 start w/out Smith, will look for a 3-0 start as they face the reeling 0-2 Vikings. The Vikings are so desperate at the QB spot that they benched the young, struggling Tavaris Jackson for Gus Ferrote. Frerotte, who started 3 games last year for St. Louis, is a dinosaur. I remember him playing for the Redskins when I was 12 (I'm 24 now). So, needless to say, I'm not too worried about their passing attack. What worries me is Adrian Peterson, who has emerged as one of the best backs in the NFL. The Panthers were able to hold Ladainian Tomlinson and Matt Forte to less than 100 yards, but with the outstanding offensive line that Minnesota has and the talent of Peterson, I can't see the Panthers having similar success against Peterson. However, if the Panthers can not allow the big game changing run, they should be alright, because unless Frerotte has some hidden talent left in the tank, they won't be able to move the ball effectively through the air.

On offense, the Panthers get their best playmaker back in Steve Smith. Without Smith, the Panthers scored 46 points the first 2 games, a clip of 23 per game. Just imagine what this offense can do with Smith. Smith will have the usual chip on his shoulder, to prove everybody wrong and to go out and dominate. Smith has also had very good success against Minnesota. In his rookie year, he scored a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the 2001 season, the very first time he ever touched an NFL football. Then, at the expense of trash talking party boater Fred Smoot, had a career game with over 200 yards recieving. Also, the emergence of Jonathan Stewart, the change of pace ability of DeAngelo Williams, and the veteran presense of Moose, I like this offense and think it will only get better.

Look out Minnesota. Adrian Peterson will keep you in the game for a while, but Carolina is just too much. They are full of confidence, you are full of desperation, and the Panthers will prevail. I was only 1 point off last week (had Carolina winning 20-16) so let's see how close I am this week.

Carolina Panthers 27, Minnesota Vikings 17