This appears to be a huge mis-match on paper.  The Saints will likely be able to do whatever they want on offense as the Rams are allowing 134.8 yards rushing per game (4.2 ypc) and 238.6 yards passing per game.  The Saints have been very balanced this season as they have run the ball 259 times and passed the ball 265 times.  With that in mind look for Pierre Thomas to have a pretty heavy workload in this game.  I also have a feeling that Reggie Bush will get loose on a pass or two out of the backfield against the Rams.  Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Jeremy Shockey will also get their share of yards with Drew Brees likely picking apart the secondary of the Rams on Sunday.

The Saints have 16 interceptions and 19 sacks this season so look for the Rams to stay away from the passing game unless they fall behind to quick.  This game will belong to Steven Jackson of the Rams against a Saints’ D that is allowing 112.1 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.  Ever since the injury to DT Sedrick Ellis teams have been having their way with the front seven of the Saints in the running game.  With that in mind Steven Jackson will likely be very tired after this game as the Rams will ride him hard in this game.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 27, RAMS 13

Pierre Thomas has taken over as the main running back for the Saints over Mike Bell and Reggie Bush.  Thomas has played in 7 games for the Saints so far this season and he has carried the ball 83 times for 455 yards (5.5 ypc) with 5 TD runs.  He has also caught 13 passes for 96 yards (7.4 avg) with a TD grab this year.  It’s good for the Saints that Thomas has taken over as the main man because he’s just a better player than Bell or Bush.

The New Orleans Saints (8-0) got their third straight comeback win as they were able to fight back from a 17-3 deficit against the Carolina Panthers (3-5) to stay undefeated.  The Panthers came ready to play and were quickly up 14-0 after the first quarter.  The Saints could not contain the Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams early in this one.  Williams put the Panthers up very early when he broke out for a 66-yard touchdown run early in the first.  He added another first quarter touchdown about seven minutes later and the Saints looked a little shocked.  They were able to get a few field goals in the second quarter and found themselves down 17-6 at halftime.  They finally woke up in the second half though, putting up 24 points and holding the Panthers to only a third quarter field goal.

Although the Saints defense did not do a good job overall stopping the run, giving up 182 rushing yards, they made plays when it mattered most.  Late in the game with the Saints up only three, Thomas Morstead made a great punt which Malcom Jenkins dove and kept the ball out of the endzone.  The Panthers got the ball on their own 1-yard line and the Saints’ Anthony Hargrove made the play of the game.  He stripped DeAngelo Williams and recovered it for a game sealing touchdown.  The offense didn’t have a monster game, but Drew Brees did throw for a touchdown and 330 yards on 24/30 attempt.  He did throw one pick, but he and receiver Robert Meachum had great chemistry, hooking up five times for 98 yards and a touchdown.  They got a combined 67 yards on 18 carries from Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, including a Thomas touchdown early in the third quarter.  After this win this Saints team became the first in franchise history to go 8-0.  The Saints have never been to the Super Bowl, but it looks like this might be their year.

The Saints have lost Kendrick Clancy for the season due to a knee injury.  He played in 2 games this season for the Saints and he made 2 tackles.  The Saints have activated DT DeMario Pressley off the practice squad to replace Clancy on the active roster.  The Saints are getting thin at DT and it could start to show in the run defense and that is not good news with the Panthers coming to town.

The New Orleans Saints (7-0) have been dominating opponents at home this season, and this week should not be any different against the Carolina Panthers (3-4).  The Saints should be able to establish a very strong running game early in this one, as the Panthers are giving up 127 rushing yards per game.  Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush will be very effective against the Panther run-defense.  I’m expecting Drew Brees to have a big game because of this.  Brees is a very good quarterback, and is a great one when he has time.  With the Saints having the edge in the running game, it will open things up for Brees and their exciting passing game and points will be going up on the board quickly.

The Panthers offense is going to try and control the ball and keep the time of possession in their favor.  Jake Delhomme only had 90 yards last week, but the Panthers won and he did a good job managing the game.  The Saints don’t need to worry too much about Delhomme, but they do need to focus on running back DeAngelo Williams.  Williams is coming off 158 rushing yards and is the Panthers biggest offensive weapon.  I don’t think the Panthers offense will be able to keep up with the Saints, and this should be a blowout.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  New Orleans Saints 41, Carolina Panthers 20