Atlanta at Carolina

Let me get this out of the way: Steve Smith will play. That's what all his teammates have told reporters. I am assuming he will be in this game and at full-speed. Carolina is the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl this year. They added the services of Keyshawn Johnson to complement Smith. Atlanta remains an overrated team in my opinion. They will do better than last year but until Michael Vick proves he can hold up throughout a season and win, I am not sold. The loss of TJ Duckett will hurt their running game althought it will remain powerful. Last year in the two meetings between these clubs, Carolina shut down Vick and won by a combined score of 68-17. Smith scorched the Falcons secondary for 16 catches and nearly 200 yards. The Panthers defense allowed just 16.5 points per game last year (14.0 to division opponents). Atlanta's allowed 21.3 per game and 28.8 in-division. They have improved with the addition of John Abraham and Lawyer Milloy. But, will it be enough against the likes of Delhomme, Smith, Johnson and Foster? I don't think so. The Panthers are for real and I cannot yet say the same for Atlanta.