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It’s Week 11, and we’re back again with the Interview with the Enemy series. This week, Jaxon of Cat Scratch Reader answers 5 quick questions about the upcoming matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers:
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Is there any noticeable difference in Cam Newton's play right now after his "talk" with Roger Goodell about player safety?
No change that I can see. Plus he still has not gotten a single roughing the passer penalty against him except for the one in the Denver game that was off-set by grounding. So it’s still open season on Cam Newton noggin.
Which offensive player on the Panthers do you expect to have the biggest night? (Aside from Cam, of course)
I’m going to go with WR Kelvin Benjamin. He’s been leading the team in targets and catches the past couple of games and after he blew last week’s game against the Chiefs with the fumble he will want to make up for it.
What defensive player do you expect to give Drew Brees and Co. the most trouble?
It’s hard to go with anyone but LB Luke Kuechly. He’s been playing lights out and always seems to save his best for the Saints. I’m hopeful we won’t let the game get away from us early like the last game in New Orleans. The Panther secondary has been much better at keeping the plays in front of them. Kuechly will be key to limiting the YAC.
Aside from playing in Carolina, why should anyone expect the result of this game to be any different than the first time these two teams met this season? Or is home field advantage going to be enough?
The Panthers do play better at home there is no doubt. I think more important is we will have a couple players in the secondary available that were not available for the first game, that being CBs James Bradberry and Leonard Johnson. While neither has the anticipation or ball skills of Josh Norman they are both technically sound and hopefully won’t give up the big plays like we gave up in the first game. If the offense can control the ball a little better and defense play assignment football we can win this game.
Predictions for the game? Final score?
I still see a fairly high scoring game but not quite like last time.
Panthers 38 Saints 34
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Thank-you, Jaxon, for taking the time to answer our questions. Saints fans, make sure you check out Jaxon and the work his guys are doing over at Cat Scratch Reader. You can follow them on Twitter @CatScratchReadr.